"If Bitten by a Snake, Tightly Binding Is Actually More Dangerous"

Fire Agency 'Correcting Misconceptions About Safety'

The National Fire Agency announced on the 18th that it will launch a planned campaign titled 'Correcting Misconceptions about Safety' to prevent increased damage during various safety accidents caused by incorrect safety knowledge, such as snakebite incidents.

First, they warned that improper first aid methods during snakebite incidents can actually worsen the condition. According to data from the National Fire Agency, there were 816 emergency dispatches due to snakebite incidents last year, with the highest numbers by region being Gyeongbuk 133 cases (16.3%), Gangwon 110 cases (13.5%), and Gyeonggi 109 cases (13.4%).

Meanwhile, it was found that 50 cases worsened due to incorrect first aid. Improper first aid included tightly tying above the bitten area, capturing the snake to identify if it was venomous, sucking the bite area with the mouth, and rubbing it with pork fat. When bitten by a venomous snake, the bitten area gradually swells and expands; if the skin is tightly tied at this time, blood circulation below the tied area is blocked, leading to skin necrosis.

Additionally, in severely swollen cases, tied strings or wires can penetrate into the flesh and become impossible to remove. Applying medication to the bite area can also cause inflammation, so caution is necessary.

The correct actions to take when bitten by a snake are: first, ▲immediately move away from the bite location ▲call 119 and remove rings, bracelets, watches, etc. ▲if clean water is available, wash the bite area ▲place a thickly folded gauze (or tissue) 2?3 cm above the bite and wrap it with a bandage (or handkerchief) with enough pressure to allow one finger to fit underneath ▲remain still and calm to prevent the spread of venom.

To avoid snakebites, ▲do not wear sandals or go barefoot in grassy areas ▲after rain, when moving at night, illuminate the path with a light and walk while tapping with a stick.

Kim Young-seok, Director of the Life Safety Division at the National Fire Agency, stated, “Since incorrect safety knowledge can increase damage from accidents, we will strive to spread correct first aid methods and behavioral guidelines through various promotional methods. Detailed statistics, first aid methods, and prevention tips are available on the National Fire Agency website for reference.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.