Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this earlier under "Odds" but it may have been ignored due to the ongoing "Venomoid" debate. I'm really curious if there is any information on pre-AV mortality rates for different species and/or unconventional but effective treatment methods for envenomation. Here is the earlier post:

After reading an unanswered post on the SHHS website regarding Aborigines and snakebite, reading some pre AV stats in Munkurs "The Cult of the Serpent", and seeing "I dreamed of Africa" where a kid dies from an untreated Bitis Arietans bite I was left wondering the odds of some things. Assuming that 1) you are 100 miles from road, phone, or any type of communication on a hiking trip through some remote part of the world, 2) You have no available AV, and 3) you receive a full SC or IM envenomation from species X. What are your options or odds of survival with different species of snakes (ie. what is the expected mortality rate w/o hospital treatment for different Bitis, Naja, Crotalis, etc. species)? The question here is of survivability with nothing but rudimentary field treatment. Would immediate amputation of the envenomated limb possibly increase the chance of surviving an untreated Mamba bite? Is there another possible treatment that can be used in the field to nudge up your chances?
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Amor et Lux,
Ron

"The gods tolerate the human race for no other reason than our talent for bullsh1t. It's the only thing about us that doesn't bore them to tears" Tom Robbins "Villa Incognito"

If you were bitten by a black mamba, and had no AV source or vent close by to assist in breathing, I'd have to say mortality would be near 90 or 100%. Cutting off the appendage wouldn't help, mamba venom acts too quickly, as does many other elapid venoms (taipans not included). They do say to wrap the bite area with a pressure bandage (for elapids) until you receive medical attention. But,if that's all the first aid you're going to have, it may not help, unless it was a dry bite. I've seen some sources that say echis and cobra bites have a 1% mortality rate if left untreated, personally I think that's a bunch of BS. Especially with the staggering figures echis bites produce yearly, you would have to figure most don't receive any AV. Without receiving AV, I think one in a hundred is a bit off to me. It really depends on the snake, I'd venture a guess and say if you were bitten by a bushmaster, mamba, carpet viper, certain cobras, or taipans, and AV medical help wasn't available, the outcome wouldn't be too good. If the bite was IV, you may want to bend over and start kissing.
My .02