Snakebites

Snakebites are a cause of death in approximately 40,000-60,000 people a year worldwide. Out of 3,000 known snake species 400 are considered dangerously venomous. There is only one venomous snake species in the Czech Republic – the common European adder, or viper (vipera berus).   According to   statistical data, venom is released in 500 out of every 1,000 cases of snakebite and only one of these proves fatal in the Czech Republic.

Parent: Good morning, nurse. I would like to ask how my daughter is doing. She has been transported to this unit because she has been bitten by a snake at the summer camp.

Nurse: Good morning, Mr Snape. Your daughter is much better now. I'm going to call the doctor to give you more detailed information. Would you like to see her?

Parent: Yes, thank you. And could you tell me what to do next time in the case of snakebite? I am totally at a loss to know what to do in such a situation.

Nurse: The aim of first aid in the case of snakebite is to delay the absorption of the venom into the body. The person who has been bitten should therefore remain as still as possible and move as little as possible. All tight objects should be removed from the body, and the bite site should be disinfected and covered with a sterile dressing. Also, keep the bitten area below heart level.

Parent: How?

Nurse: For example, you can let the affected limb hang down loosely from the stretcher. And of course, you should immediately call for an ambulance or ensure transportation of the person who has been bitten to the hospital in such a way as to move as little as possible.

Parent: And should I compress the bite site with something?

Nurse: No, definitely don’t compress or suck the venom out of the bite. It is often recommended to apply a tourniquet on the limb using an elastic bandage. The intention is to bandage the limb from the bite site upward as far as possible. The limb should be immobilised in a similar way as in the case of a broken limb or a twisted joint, using for example a tree branch, a stick, a pole, etc. The most important thing, however, is to get the person to hospital as soon as possible.

Parent: All right. Thank you very much, nurse.

Nurse: You are welcome.

snakebite	hadí uštknutí, kousnutí
worldwide	celosvětově, po celém světě
species	druh; třída; kmen
venomous	jedovatý
adder	zmije
viper	zmije
according to	podle, dle; v souladu s, shodně s
to release	uvolnit, vypustit; vydat
at a loss	nevědět si rady, v rozpacích
aim	cíl, smysl
to delay	zabrzdit, pozdržet; odložit; zpozdit
therefore	tedy, tudíž, proto
to remain still	zůstat v klidu
tight	těsný, utažený; napnutý; pevný; přiléhavý
to hang down	viset, viset dolů; svěsit; splývat
loosely	volně; uvolněně
stretcher	nosítka
to compress	stlačit; sevřít
to suck out	vysát, odsát
tourniquet	obinadlo, škrtidlo
upward	nahoru, vzhůru, směrem nahoru
branch	větev
stick	hůl; tyč; klacek
pole	tyč, kůl

 

Lekce angličtiny pro časopis Florence připravuje překladatelská agentura ACP TRADUCTERA (www.traductera.com).

 

Ilustrační foto – zdroj: www.elegantnibydleni.cz