One of the world's leading herpetologists, Dr. Ian Simpson, is campaigning for greater awareness of the right way to tackle snakebites.

'Snakebites, Do it Right Campaign’

As many as 10,000 people in India die every year of snakebites. That is more people than the tsunami could ever wipe out. Yet there is not enough research in this field.

For doctors therefore, the Do it Right campaign, which has been implemented in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and soon to be launched in Tamil Nadu, is significant.

One of the world's leading herpetologists, Dr. Ian Simpson, who is also on the Tamil Nadu Snake-bite Task Force Council and snake advisor to the Pakistan Medical Research, was also instrumental in designing the national protocol, which is a step-by-step guide approved by the Government of India to treating snakebites.

Dr. Ian Simpson has been working from Kerala and has been associated with the Little Flower Hospital, SRM Hospital and Bombay Natural History Society in his research. His research papers have been published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine, Wilderness and Environmental Medicine and Journal of the Indian Medical Association.

Medindia caught up with Dr. Ian Simpson recently. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

What is the objective of the ‘Do it RIGHT’ campaign?

The Do it R.I.G.H.T. campaign is based on giving the best first aid advice to victims so that they can get to hospital in the best possible shape. Traditional methods such as tying a tight tourniquet and cutting and sucking the wound have been shown to be ineffective and dangerous. Tourniquets carry the risk of increasing local tissue damage either on their own or by increasing the necrotic damage caused by the snake venom. Viper bites lowers the blood clotting potential. Cutting the victim creates a further risk of severe bleeding, as the victim’s blood is no longer able to clot. In addition, suction, either by mouth or using the so -called ‘venom extraction devices’ has been shown to be ineffective.

Could you elaborate?

The Do it Right method stresses the need to -

R- Reassure the patient. 70% of snakebites come from non-venomous species. Of the remaining 30%, which are from venomous species, half will not inject venom and are called 'dry bites'. The victim is not at risk. . This is why traditional treatments appear to work. What this does, however, is to delay the victims who have been envenomed from reaching the hospital.

I- Immobilise the affected limb in the same way as a fracture. Do not tie tight bandages; simply stop the limb from moving as movement helps venom spread.

GH - Get to hospital fast. If there is nothing wrong with you then you will be discharged after observation. If you have been envenomed, then the doctor will administer anti- venom. A groundbreaking study just carried out in West Bengal shows that victims who do not survive are those that come late to the hospital. Getting to hospital quickly will save the victim's life!