If bitten by a snake?

I live in a country where we have 13 of the 15 deadliest snakes in the world, and am extremely happy that even though I'm a field biologist I've so far only ever seen two snakes. I really don't want to encounter anything more deadly than a platypus during my work.

All the antivenom treatments mean the difference between life and death, but only if you get them in time. The neurotoxins cause damage to your organs which can be so extreme you may survive after the treatment but never be the same again. Many people aren't given the choice whether or not to have them, since they are already unconscious by the time they get to hospital in the air ambulance. When researching in remote areas the university supplies us with a satellite phone that you just have to push a button and a GPS system relays your location to the nearest med-evac helicopter who comes to get you specifically for snake bites and fire outbreaks. It is that serious.

If he doesn't want treatment, that's up to him. But I hope he knows what species it was that bit him, and what long term damage he faces from the venom.

I was taught from a young age to suck the poison from the wound then spit it out and apply a compress. If you can do this immediately after the bite, you actually have a good chance of the poison receding. People in countries where antivenin can't be afforded use this as a technique. Good luck to your vegan friend, hopefully he sucked some of the poison out or got someone to do it for him. This could be a life or death situation, so it really is more practical for him to go get the antivenin.

If its a life and death situation like this, he should take the antivenom. The point of being vegan is to limit animal products and by-products as much as possible. Im vegan, but lets say i was bitten by a rattle snake (which is highly possible where i live) i would seek the necessary treatment.

If your vegan friend is so insecure with his decision making abilities that he needs the approval of internet vegans to save his own life, then I say let him skip the anti venom and take his chances. That way he wouldn't have to compromise his precious morals.

Potassium Permangante. Did the snake that bit your friend have teeth? If so it could be poisonous. Apply some crystals of potassium permanganate to the wound. It helps.

He needs to get treated asap! Being vegan does not mean you have to be a martyr!

Your friend should get the venom out of his system. It's an animal product. Shame on him.

I would tell him the same you did: get to the flippin' hospital.

I'm a vegetarian.

Go to one of those Jesus cult churches.& they will heal you. LOL if its their god's will