Nature @ Campus

K-campus brings exploring nature in real life.  Ratnesh uncle is back from snake workshop and bring a lot of new perspective and deeper understanding of snakes.

    * Joining kids for live station on wed 8th feb at 2pm.
    * He is also talking about precaution at K-campus.

Gerry will also do a assessment of the land by Feb end and give us his plan. He will also send his team to interact with kids - till then we manage with his disciple, Ratnesh baba.

Snakes are not dangerous, but not to taken for granted.

The key aspect is to avoid any interaction with snakes - a kind of you don't bother them - they will not bother you.

• So be vigilant before you stir up thick bushes or big rocks
• Look down when you walk in wild (sounds simple)
• When going out in the night - go with a torch so that you do not accidentally step on anything.
• When you see a snake - back off - leave the snake alone - it will go away.

If one does happen to have a snake bite - follow the RIGHT protocol

R for - Reassure - reassure the patient - so that the person stays clam. The more calm the person stays, the less the venom spreads.

I for Immobilize - ensure the person does not move the part that is bitten - the less the movement - the less the spread of venom. So no massage, no tying around the bite, no washing the bite - nothing - simply immobilize the person - pref lie down.

GH for Go to Hospital. Pre decide the hospital one would go in case of a snake bite. When the person is bitten - as early as possible rush the person to the hospital. Ensure enroute the person does not sleep.
What if the hospital does not stock anti venom - well, stock you own anti-venom - but do not administer it yourself. Carry with you and let a hospital administer it. Ensure that a working ventilator is kept handy in the hospital. If the hospital asks for should they give a test dose (to check of reaction to anti-venom)  - say NO - pl give full dose and in case of reaction manage reaction with the anti-venom (and not stop the anti venom)

T for take notes. Important to note the symptoms of the patient - as via symptoms doctors can determine which snake bit. What to note - swelling of bitten area, speed of swelling, change in coloration, bleeding at bite site, bleeding in gums, drooping eye lids, pain in the lower back (shows if kidneys are affected, fever, pain location etc.

Most important is for everybody to stay clam - mentally, physically and emotionally - and in a responsible and prompt manner take the affected person to the hospital.

For more details refer WHO (World health Org) document on snake bite protocol  (PDF file) - this is the reference doc followed by ALL.