A person who has suffered an alligator or crocodile attack needs to be carefully evaluated for a number of common injuries and complications.
Potential injuries:
(1) bite puncture wounds or lacerations with hemorrhage
(2) crush injuries associated with bite
(3) blunt injury after being hit with the tail
(4) fractures
(5) neurologic injuries
(6) disarticulation of a limb (associated with the reptile rolling or twirling round and around)
(7) submersion and near drowning
(8) aspiration
(9) infection with organisms from water or the reptile's mouth, including sepsis
(10) tetanus
(11) post-traumatic stress
(12) shock
The depth and severity of injuries are often much worse than suspected initially.
Fatal injuries:
(1) decapitation
(2) transection of the torso
(3) drowning
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
