Keep distance from snakes and you8217;re safe

CHANDIGARH, July 7: On July 3 around 11:30 p.m., a krait bit Jaspal Singh, a chowkidar at the Indian Oil Bhavan in Sector 19, as he was slee...

CHANDIGARH, July 7: On July 3 around 11:30 p.m., a krait bit Jaspal Singh, a chowkidar at the Indian Oil Bhavan in Sector 19, as he was sleeping outside the office. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved; by 4 a.m. he was declared dead.

The incident has struck fear into many City residents, but it must be emphasised that cases of snake-bite are rare in the city. Herpetologists and physicians assure the public that there is no need to panic.

The rains of July and August flood snake-holes forcing them to seek dry places to shelter. According to Snake-cell team leader Captain Suresh Sharma, snake-prone areas in the city include parts of the Punjab University, Punjab Engineering College, Government College for Girls, sectors near Sukhna Lake and newly developed sectors with their open grassy fields. quot;Snakes do not go around looking for people to attack; unless you disturb them or step on them they are unlikely to harm you. However, keep your distance 8230; their attack range is one third of their body length,quot; he says.

Snakes are usually found in cool and dark places. Do not venture out onto the lawn barefoot or walk where it is too dark to see a snake. Do not cluster flower pots as these provide a hiding place for snakes. Encourage your neighbour cats: more cats mean less rats and less rats mean less snakes.

Doctors point out that less than 15 per cent of all the species are poisonous. The snakes to watch out for are cobras, kraits and vipers. In the event of a snake-bite, doctors advise:
quot;Get the victim to the PGI, Sector 16 General Hospital or Sector 32 Medical College Hospital immediately. On the way, squeeze the wound and wash with area four times with soapy water.

Don8217;t cut the skin around the wound as that creates more raw area for the absorption, but do tie a cloth tourniquet above the wound. After 15 minutes, relax the tourniquet for 30 seconds to a minute and then re-tie it. Avoid moving the victim as that increases blood circulation.quot;

Doctors are also emphatic about the necessity of psychological support. In many cases, the victims go into the psychogenic shock, which can cause dehydration. If the victim asks for water, give it to him. Out of terror, people can experience trembling, shortness of breath or a feeling of constriction of the chest even when the snake was not poisonous, or if it merely brushed past them. Don8217;t make light of this; they also need medical help.

Story continues below this ad

The majority of the snake bites are not serious. Only a few produce toxic effect that cause extreme pain and swelling, injury or death.