Our suggestion is that if there is a snake bite, that you immediately call your local emergency services. Our 084 124 call centre will be able to talk you through exactly what to do with the patient while medical assistance is on the way.
If at all possible, and if the patient is in a rural area (or the reserve is a distance from your nearest hospital) given that the patient is safe to be moved ie has not fallen from a height or has a back or neck injury etc. The patient should be loaded into a vehicle and driven to where they can be met by an ambulance so as to save time of transportation.
Immediate first aid can be done on the patient where the bite site can be washed with clean water and soap so as to wash any venom away that may be on the skin surface. Keep the affected area as still as possible as movement will aid in the blood flow and venom flow along with it. You may also bandage the area above the bite site given that the bite is on a limb, but ensure that the bandage is over a wide area and is not tighter than you would bandage a sore ankle etc.
This bandages purpose is NOT to occlude blood flow to the area, but simply to aid in suppressing possible swelling. The bite site can be covered with a clean dressing over which an ice pack can be placed in 5 minutes on 5 minutes off rotation to help with swelling and pain.
It is so important to keep the patient as calm as possible!
Remember, appropriate medical treatment is essential, so don’t delay in getting the patient to hospital.
[Info from ER24.co.za]