This month, CoROM Conversations is joined by Dr Evan Baines, Emergency Medicine Physician, EMS Fellow, former 18D, and contributor to the JTS Snake Envenomation Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG).Snake envenomation remains a major global health problem, with millions of bites occurring annually and a disproportionate burden falling on remote and resource-limited regions. In this episode, Dr Evan Baines discusses the development of the JTS Snake Envenomation CPG, practical field management, antivenom selection, operational planning, and common misconceptions surrounding snakebite treatment.Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Snake Envenomation01:45 – Why Snake Bites Matter in Austere Medicine04:00 – Snakebite Myths and Immediate First Aid05:00 – The Four Envenomation Syndromes08:00 – Operational Planning and Antivenom Selection11:20 – Understanding the JTS Treatment Algorithms16:00 – Case Study: Pit Viper Envenomation22:00 – Determining When Antivenom Has Worked24:00 – Antivenom Dosing Principles26:00 – Field Diagnostics and Coagulopathy Assessment28:00 – Neurotoxic Snake Bites and Respiratory Failure33:00 – Why Identifying the Snake Often Doesn't Matter34:00 – Dry Bites and Return-to-Duty Decisions36:00 – Antivenom Reactions and Anaphylaxis Management39:00 – Tourniquets, Pressure Bandages, and Controversies46:00 – Life Over Limb? Risk-Benefit Decision Making51:00 – Airway Management in Neurotoxic Envenomation55:00 – Regulatory Challenges and Deployment Considerations57:45 – Key Take-Home Messages

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related