A routine trip to a field in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi turned frightening for 21-year-old Arun after a snake hiding inside a sack of grass bit him.What happened next was even more dramatic. As Arun’s condition began to worsen, his elder brother Akash rushed him to hospital and, following instructions from doctors, kept trying to stop him from losing consciousness.According to a report by Bhaskar English, Akash slapped his brother more than 150 times and splashed water on his face while doctors worked to treat the snakebite.
Snake was hiding inside a sack of grass
The incident reportedly happened around 2 pm on Saturday in Hardoi’s Dehat Kotwali area.Arun had gone to the field carrying water for his elder brother, who was working there. While lifting a sack of grass, he was suddenly bitten by a snake hiding inside it.He screamed, alerting Akash, who immediately came running.The family tried to get Arun medical help as quickly as possible. An ambulance and police were called, but his condition was reportedly getting worse.A medical store owner, Shivam Sharma, happened to pass by and saw what was happening. He put the two brothers on his motorcycle and took Arun to a medical college.
Brother kept slapping him as doctors fought to save him
At the hospital, Emergency Medical Officer Dr Sher Singh and his team immediately began treating Arun.The family was reportedly told to keep him awake and closely monitor his condition. Akash stayed beside his brother, repeatedly splashing water on his face and slapping his cheeks.He reportedly did this more than 150 times over about an hour.Meanwhile, doctors administered anti-venom. According to the report, Arun was given 15 doses within two hours because of the severity of his condition.Dr Sher Singh said patients are often treated with five doses, but Arun required more because the effects of the venom were severe.His condition later improved and doctors continued to monitor him.
What to do after a snakebite
While the image of Akash trying to keep his brother awake is striking, medical experts stress that getting a snakebite victim to a hospital quickly is the priority.The World Health Organization says the person should be kept as still as possible and taken to a health facility without delay. Antivenom is the key treatment for serious venomous snakebite, while traditional remedies, cutting the wound or using tight tourniquets should be avoided.If the person becomes drowsy or vomits, protecting their airway is also important. WHO guidance recommends placing a person who is breathing adequately in the recovery position and monitoring their breathing.For Arun and his family, the ordeal ended with some relief. After receiving treatment, the 21-year-old’s condition reportedly returned to normal.And what began with a snake hidden inside an ordinary sack of grass turned into a terrifying race to get him medical help in time.
