• Immobilise the limb and apply firm pressure to the bite with your hand. • Wrap the bite tightly with a pressure• For the bandage to be most effective, it must be applied at a pressure of 50 to 70 mmHg on a blood pressure monitor. This is near impossible to do with a crepe bandage, and only applies to suspected black mamba or Cape cobra bites. • For a bite on the foot or leg, once the pressure bandage has been applied properly, splint the leg to immobilise it, and bind the two legs together to maximise immobilisation • For a bite on a hand, straighten the arm and, once the immobilisation bandages have been applied, splint the straightened arm to immobilise it. After applying the pressure bandage, check for a pulse below the bandage. Check the pulse every 10 to 15 minutes. If the pulse isn't detectable, the pressure bandage should be removed and the need for it reassessed. • If there are no contraindications to the bandage staying in place, it should remain where it is until the patient has reached a hospital, and only then should it be removed by a medical doctor.
