Snakes are carnivorous reptiles that live in dark holes and crevices around the world. While most snakes are not poisonous, a minority carry poisonous venom in their fangs that can cause painful injury or even death to humans.


Steps

1. If you or a companion is bitten by a snake, the following steps can be taken to treat the bite.
2. Move the person bitten away from the snake immediately
3. Calm the casualty, keeping them warm and lying down.
4. Remove any jewelry near the bite.
5. Do not give the person bitten anything to eat or drink
6. Immobilize the area around the snake bite, keeping the wound below the level of the heart.
7. Carefully apply a constricting band two to four inches above the bite, between the wound and the heart. Make sure the band is tight enough to stop the flow of blood in the veins, but not in the arteries. If swelling occurs, adjust the band. Never place the band around the neck, chest, head, or heart. A belt or rope can be used as a makeshift constricting band.
8. Using a snakebite kit, suction the bite over the fang marks. If there is no snakebite kit, suction by mouth can be used.
9. Monitor the victims airways, breathing, and circulation
10. Do not apply ice to the wound.
11. If the victim goes into shock, treat for shock if knowledgeable.
12. Contact medical help as soon as possible.
13. Transport the victim and, if it is dead, the snake to an area accessible to medical staff. The dead snake is helpful to identify the proper antivenin to treat the person bitten.
14. If you do not know whether the snake was poisonous or not, treat it as poisonous.

Tips

• Prevention
• The best way to deal with a snake bite is to avoid it altogether! There are several basic steps you can take to prevent a snake bite from ever happening.
• • Wear boots and long pants when you go hiking or camping.
• • Never reach into holes, firewood, or under rocks. These are common hideouts for snakes.
• • Be very careful near water and tall grasses. Most snakes hunt in these environments.
• • Look at where you sit and step carefully.
• • Never handle a live or dead snake! Snakes can often only appear dead, and even ones that actually are dead can still bite for a period of time after death.
• • Investigate areas you can not see with a walking stick.
• • Use a flashlight if hiking at night
• • Do not try to scare away a snake if near one. This will only further provoke the snake. Rather, slowly distance yourself from the snake.