Surviving Snakebites: Essential Tips for Safety and Treatment

How to Survive a Snakebite

In the United States, venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and coral snakes pose a threat.

When bitten, it’s called “envenomation.” Though rare, severe envenomation or allergies can be fatal.

About 7,000–8,000 venomous snake bites occur annually in the US, resulting in approximately five deaths. Prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent fatalities.

Venomous Snakes in the United States

These venomous snakes pose risks to humans and should be treated cautiously when encountered in their respective habitats.

Snakebite Survival Tips

The number of reported venomous snakebites has increased as the world has seen warmer temperatures.

Snakes can migrate further north and find themselves in more populated areas.

Practice the following tips to keep you from becoming a snakebite victim or what to do if you are a bit.

Proactive Steps to Avoid a Snakebite

Following these steps and staying aware of your surroundings, you can minimize the risk of encountering and being bitten by a venomous snake.

• Stay Alert: Watch where you step, especially in areas with snakes.
• Wear Protective Clothing: When hiking or exploring outdoors, wear long pants, boots, and thick socks to reduce the risk of a snake bite.
• Avoid High-Risk Areas: Avoid tall grass, rocky areas, and dense underbrush where snakes may hide.
• Use a Walking Stick: Carry a walking stick to probe areas ahead of you and deter snakes from striking.
• Watch Your Hands: Avoid reaching into crevices, holes, or brush piles without first checking for snakes.
• Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: Look for snake signs such as shed skin, tracks, or the presence of prey animals.
• Stay on Designated Trails: Stick to marked paths and avoid wandering off into unknown territory where snakes may be more abundant.
• Be Careful Around Water: Snakes are often found near bodies of water, so be cautious when swimming or fishing in snake-prone areas.
• Keep Pets Leashed: If hiking with pets, keep them on a leash to prevent them from encountering snakes and potentially getting bitten.
• Learn to Identify Venomous Snakes: Familiarize yourself with the appearance and behavior of venomous snakes in your area to know how to avoid them.

Safety Gear: Essential Equipment for Protection Against Snakebites

Remember, while safety gear can help reduce the risk of snakebites, it’s essential to remain vigilant and cautious when exploring snake habitats and always seek professional medical assistance.

1. Snake Gaiters: Protective leg coverings made of durable materials such as nylon or kevlar, designed to shield the lower legs and ankles from snake bites.
2. Snake Boots: High-quality, snake-resistant boots with thick, puncture-resistant materials and reinforced construction to protect the feet and lower legs.
3. Long Pants and Sleeves: Wearing long pants and sleeves made of thick, sturdy fabric can provide additional protection against snake bites.
4. Snake Bite Kits: Compact kits containing first aid supplies such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, and suction devices designed specifically for treating snakebites.
5. Trekking Poles: Sturdy trekking poles or hiking sticks can help detect snakes and provide stability while walking in snake-prone areas.
6. Snake Hooks: Long-handled tools with a hook or clamp on one end, used to handle or move snakes encountered in the wild safely.
7. Headlamps or Flashlights: Illumination tools are essential for navigating snake habitats during low-light conditions and can help spot snakes before they are encountered.
8. Snake Identification Guide: Carrying a guidebook or smartphone app with information on local snake species can aid in identifying venomous snakes and assessing risk.
9. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): A PLB is a small, portable device that can be activated in emergencies to transmit distress signals and summon help from rescue services.
10. Communication Device: Carrying a fully charged cell phone or two-way radio enables communication with emergency services or fellow travelers in case of snakebite emergencies.

If You Become a Victim of a Snakebite

If you suffer a snakebite, there are a couple of things you should immediately do.

First, immobilize the bitten limb and keep it below your heart. You will also need to drop everything and get yourself to a hospital as soon as possible. Snake bites treated with anti-venom at a hospital are your best course of action and are rarely fatal.

Many experts in the field advise not to rely on snakebite kits and not to waste your money on them. In many reported cases where a snakebite victim used a kit, it did not work, and many times, the kit did more harm than good.

Along these lines, home remedies and old wives’ tales don’t work either. Taking a shot of alcohol or sucking the venom out is ineffective and may even delay your recovery time.

Step-By-Step First Aid for a Snakebite

Remember, the primary goal of first aid is to slow the spread of venom and seek professional medical help as soon as possible for proper assessment and treatment.

1. Stay Calm: Remain calm to prevent panic, which can increase heart rate and venom circulation.
2. Move Away: Slowly and carefully move away from the snake to prevent additional bites.
3. Identify the Snake: If possible, remember the snake’s color, size, and markings for identification (Take a picture if possible).
4. Position Yourself: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position to reduce activity and slow venom spread.
5. Immobilize the Bite: Keep the bitten limb below heart level to slow venom circulation.
6. Remove Constrictive Items: Remove any tight clothing, jewelry, or accessories from the affected area to prevent constriction if swelling occurs.
7. Clean the Wound: Gently clean the bite with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid applying ice or cutting the wound.
8. Apply a Bandage: Use a clean bandage to cover the bite site, applying firm pressure without cutting off circulation.
9. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of symptoms such as pain, swelling, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Note the time of the bite and any changes in symptoms.
10. Seek Medical Help: Call emergency services or proceed to the nearest medical facility for professional evaluation and treatment.
11. Do Not: Do not attempt to suck out venom, apply ice, or administer alcohol or caffeine, as these actions can worsen the situation.

Emergency Response: What to do While Waiting for Medical Help

While waiting for medical help, your primary goal is to keep the victim calm, comfortable, and stable until professional medical assistance is available.

1. Stay Calm: Again, keep yourself and the victim calm to prevent panic, which can exacerbate symptoms.
2. Reassure the Victim: Offer reassurance and support to the victim to help alleviate anxiety and fear.
3. Keep the Victim Immobilized: Encourage the victim to remain still and avoid unnecessary movement to prevent venom spread.
4. Position the Victim: Help the victim lie comfortably, with the affected limb immobilized and slightly elevated if possible.
5. Monitor Vital Signs: Monitor the victim’s vital signs, including pulse, breathing, and consciousness levels, and report any changes to emergency services.
6. Cover the Victim: If the weather is cold, cover the victim with a blanket or jacket to prevent hypothermia.
7. Provide Comfort: Offer comfort and support to the victim to help them feel reassured and cared for.
8. Do Not Provide Food or Drink: Avoid giving the victim food or drink, as this can interfere with medical treatment and may worsen symptoms.
9. Keep Track of Time: Note the time of the snakebite and any changes in symptoms to provide accurate information to medical professionals.
10. Prepare for Evacuation: If necessary, prepare for evacuation by clearing a path for emergency responders and gathering essential belongings for the victim’s care.

Fact or Myth: Common Misconceptions About Snakebites and Their Treatment

Review some common misconceptions about snakebites and the corresponding facts to debunk them.

Dead Rising

You never want to pick up a snake you find dead.

There is a famous story of a man from Washington who was found dead after he had cut the head off a snake with a shovel. He was bitten by the decapitated rattlesnake’s head when he was picking up its remains. It is common for snakes to retain reflexes after they are dead.

Studies have proven that venomous snakes, such as rattlesnakes or king cobras, can bite for many hours after clinically dead.

Unusual Facts About Snakebites

Explore these unusual but fascinating facts about snakebites!

Discover venom composition, mimicry, delivery methods, and variability. Understand the distinction between venomous and poisonous snakes. Uncover medical mysteries like self-envenomation and delayed effects.

• Snake Venom Composition: Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other molecules, each with unique effects on the human body.
• Harmless Mimics: Some non-venomous snakes mimic the appearance and behavior of venomous species as a defense mechanism, known as Batesian mimicry.
• Venom Delivery: Not all snakes inject venom through fangs; some use specialized grooves or channels in their teeth to deliver venom into a wound.
• Venom Variability: The potency and composition of snake venom can vary significantly even within the same species, depending on factors such as geographic location and diet.
• Venomous vs. Poisonous: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. Venom must be injected into the bloodstream, while poison must be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin to cause harm.
• Self-Envenomation: In rare cases, snakes can accidentally bite themselves, leading to self-envenomation and potential health complications.
• Antivenom Production: Antivenom, used to treat snakebites, is typically produced by injecting small amounts of snake venom into animals such as horses or sheep and harvesting the antibodies produced.
• Painful Paradox: Some snakebites are relatively painless initially due to the analgesic properties of snake venom, but intense pain and swelling often develop later.
• Delayed Effects: Symptoms of snakebite may not manifest immediately; some venomous snakebites can lead to delayed-onset complications hours or even days after the initial bite.
• Medical Mysteries: Despite advances in treatment, managing snakebites remains challenging, with many aspects of venom toxicity and treatment efficacy still not fully understood by medical science.