Retarding the uptake of "mock venom" in humans: comparison of three first-aid treatments.

We compared, for the first time in human subjects, first-aid measures to treat bites from Australian snakes using a "mock venom" (congruent to 0.2 mL of Na 131I at 7.4 kBq or 11.1 kBq (0.2 muCi/kg or 0.3 muCi/kg)) as a subcutaneous injection in the lateral aspect of the leg. After application of either a full-length lower-limb airsplint (inflated to 7.3 +/- 0.7 kPa (55 +/- 5 mmHg) pressure) or the currently recommended treatment (elastic bandages at 7.3 +/- 0.7 kPa (55 +/- 5 mmHg) pressure and supporting splint) the rate of appearance of the Na 131I in the peripheral blood was approximately the same as the ratio for the untreated controls. However, application of a large firm pad over the injection site and its immediate surrounds, retained by a non-elastic bandage (at least 9.3 kPa (70 mmHg) pressure over the injection site), completely prevented "mock venom" uptake until the pad was removed. Further investigations are proceeding.