Abstract

HARDCASTLE, T C; KAJEE, M; LACHENICHT, K  and  VAN DER WALT, N. Approach to the diagnosis and management of snakebite envenomation in South Africa in humans: Layperson aspects and the role of emergency medical services. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2023, vol.113, n.5, pp.1190-1194. ISSN 2078-5135.  https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i5.666.

Snakebites occur in the community, not in the Emergency Unit. As such it is important to understand the first-aid concepts and pre-hospital emergency care aspects of this neglected disease. This article will highlight the concepts for emergency care within the context of the current pre-hospital arena and in light of the recent South African Snakebite Symposium consensus meeting held in July 2022, where wilderness rescue, emergency medical services and other medical participants agreed through evidence review and consensus debate on the current best approaches to care of the snakebite victim outside the hospital environment.

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