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Being bitten by a snake is a nightmare for any hiker! Imagine strolling along a sunlit path, feeling in harmony with nature, when suddenly, a snake attacks without warning. In this situation, it's crucial to know how to handle a snake bite immediately. If treated correctly, you can survive even the most venomous snake bites. Continue to enjoy the outdoors, whether hiking, camping, or sightseeing, but always be aware of the potential dangers of snakes and learn how to respond to a bite.
Steps
Treating Bites from Venomous Snakes
Call for emergency help or shout for assistance from others. If there's no one around but you can still move, seek help immediately. Most snake bites are not life-threatening, but if it’s a venomous snake, prompt medical attention is critical. First responders are familiar with local snake species and have the necessary equipment for treatment. Call medical personnel or head straight to the emergency room.
- You don’t need to know whether the snake is venomous or not, as it’s impossible to determine by just looking at the bite. It's best to seek emergency treatment no matter what the bite looks like.
- Stay calm. Panic increases heart rate, and if the snake is venomous, the faster pulse will help spread the venom more rapidly. Try to remain calm and quiet.
- If possible, contact the emergency room of a nearby hospital for guidance while waiting for help.
Observe the snake's physical features. First responders and doctors will need a description of the snake to determine whether it's venomous. If possible, try to remember the snake's appearance, or ask a companion to closely observe and confirm what you've seen.
- Do not attempt to capture the snake unless you're experienced, as they move very quickly and have the upper hand.
- Don't approach the snake or linger in its striking range. It’s unsafe, so quickly glance at it and then move away from the area.
Stay away from the snake. Immediately distance yourself from the snake to avoid being bitten again. Move to a safe distance from the bite site, but don't run or move too far. Quick movement increases your heart rate, which in turn helps the venom spread more rapidly through your body.
- Find a spot where the snake is less likely to return. Look for a flat rock higher than the ground, an open area, or a place with few places for the snake to hide.
- Once you're in a safe place, try to keep still and avoid unnecessary movement.
Stabilize and support the bite area. Do not tie a tourniquet, but try to limit movement of the bitten area while keeping the wound at or below heart level. This method helps slow the spread of venom if the snake was venomous.
- Keeping the wound below the heart slows the flow of contaminated blood toward the heart, preventing the venom from circulating throughout the body.
- If possible, create a splint to immobilize the area around the bite. Use a stick or a piece of wood, securing it with cloth around the wound.
Remove any clothing, jewelry, or accessories near the wound. Venomous snake bites can cause rapid swelling, and even loose clothing may become tight as the wound swells.
Clean the wound carefully but don't wash it with water. Use a clean cloth soaked in water to gently wipe the wound, but do so as carefully as possible. Afterward, cover the wound with a clean cloth to protect it.
Wait for medical professionals to arrive or seek assistance. The best course of action is to receive medical attention as quickly as possible. The good news is that once you've cleaned the wound and removed any jewelry, if there is little to no swelling, the bite is likely not from a venomous snake. However, if it is venomous, there's still a chance of infection or severe allergic reactions, so medical care is still necessary.
Avoid actions that could worsen the situation. There are many myths about how to treat a snake bite, and some of them could actually put you in greater danger.
- Do not attempt to cut or suck out the venom. Making an incision only worsens the situation and increases the risk of infection. Anyone who tries to suck out the venom could accidentally ingest some and poison themselves.
- Do not apply a tourniquet or use ice on the wound. Experts believe that tourniquets restrict blood flow too much, while ice can worsen the injury.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages as they increase heart rate, causing the venom to spread more rapidly. However, make sure to drink plenty of water.
Understand medical treatment during emergency care. In the emergency room, healthcare professionals will treat swelling and pain from the bite, along with any other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, numbness, difficulty breathing, or swallowing issues. They will also monitor you for signs of low blood pressure, blood or nerve damage, allergic reactions, and swelling.
- The treatment depends on the symptoms you're experiencing. If no symptoms are present, you may need to stay in the hospital for 24 hours for observation, as symptoms can develop during this time.
- If you're bitten by a venomous snake, doctors will administer antivenom (also known as snake venom serum). This is a mix of antibodies specifically created to neutralize the venom, safe and effective for both adults and children. Depending on your symptoms, you may need more than one dose.
- You may also be given broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent infection and a tetanus shot if necessary.
- In some cases, surgery may be required if the bite is severe.
Follow wound care instructions when returning home. After being discharged from the hospital, the most important thing is to keep the wound clean and covered, and to follow the medical guidelines for wound care. For example, you'll need to know how often to change the bandage, how to clean the healing wound (usually with soap and warm water), and how to spot signs of infection.
- Signs of infection include swelling, pain when touched, redness, discharge, or heat at the wound site, or the development of a new fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Stay calm and wait if you can't contact medical help. If you're in a remote area and can't reach medical assistance quickly, the most important thing is to remain calm and allow the venom to exit your system. In most cases, the snake won't inject enough venom to be fatal. Treat each symptom as it appears, and most importantly, stay calm and limit movement. The fear of snakes and the anxiety after being bitten are often the main causes of death, as a rapid heartbeat causes the venom to spread throughout the body.
- If you're hiking and can find others, ask them to call for help or look for assistance, or they may have a snakebite kit.
Treating a Bite from a Non-Venomous Snake
Stop the bleeding. While a bite from a non-venomous snake isn't life-threatening, it's still important to provide first aid to avoid infection. Much like treating a puncture wound, start by pressing a sterile gauze or bandage firmly against the wound to minimize blood loss.
- Only treat a snake bite this way if you're absolutely certain that the snake is non-venomous. If there's any doubt, seek medical help immediately.
Carefully clean the wound. Wash the wound with clean water and soap for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly with more water. Dry the area with sterile gauze. If available, use gauze soaked in alcohol for cleaning.
Treat the wound with antibiotic ointment and bandage it. Apply a layer of antibiotic ointment to the clean wound, then cover it with a bandage. This method not only protects the wound but also helps prevent infection.
Seek medical attention. A doctor will examine the wound to ensure it has been cleaned and treated properly. You should also ask if any additional treatments are necessary, such as a tetanus shot.
Pay attention to the wound while it heals. Even non-venomous snake bites can become infected, so you should watch for signs of infection such as redness, pus, swelling, discharge, or fever. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to return for a check-up to get examined.
Stay hydrated while waiting for the wound to heal. During the healing period, make sure to keep your body well-hydrated. Generally, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of water each day.
Understanding Snakes and Snake Bites
Learn about venomous snakes. Most snake species are non-venomous, but all of them can bite. The most venomous species include cobras, vipers, coral snakes, water cobras, and rattlesnakes. While many venomous snakes have triangular-shaped heads, the only reliable way to identify if a snake is venomous is by knowing how to recognize snake species or by locating the venomous fang glands on a dead snake.
Determine if you're in an area with venomous snakes. Cobras are found in Asia and Africa, vipers live in the southern and eastern United States, parts of Australia, and Asia. Coral snakes are located in the southern U.S., parts of India, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. Water cobras live in the southeastern U.S., while rattlesnakes are found across North and South America, stretching from southern Canada to Argentina.
- In some parts of the world, like Australia, the concentration of highly venomous snakes is greater than in other regions. Remember, venomous snakes can live in both cities and wilderness, so always stay alert.
Understanding snake bites. When bitten by a non-venomous snake, the main concerns are infection and swelling. However, with venomous snakes, in addition to tissue damage and infection, one must be cautious about the effects of venom. Normally, snakes don’t bite unless provoked or controlled.
- Snake fangs can be fixed or retractable when not in use. Venomous snakes have one of these two types of fangs, with snakes like cobras having fixed fangs, which direct venom towards the nervous system, while snakes with retractable fangs inject venom into the blood cells.
- All snake species carry toxins that can destroy tissue, making the extent of damage a critical concern in case of a bite.
Understanding snake behavior. Snakes are "cold-blooded" creatures, meaning they derive body heat from their surroundings and the sun. This is why snake bites are less common in cooler climates or during cold seasons when they are hibernating.
- Conversely, as you move closer to the equator, the number of snakes increases as they remain active in the heat, never hibernating in this region.
Avoiding snake encounters. The best way to deal with a snake bite is to avoid encountering snakes. According to wildlife experts, the following are the best ways to prevent snake bites:
- Do not sleep or rest near places that could be snake hiding spots, such as dense bushes, tall grass, large rocks, or thick vegetation.
- Never stick your hand into rock crevices, hollow logs, thick bushes, or any other place where a snake might be lying in wait.
- Always watch where you step when walking through thick underbrush or tall grass.
- Never attempt to handle snakes, whether alive or dead. Interestingly, even after death, a snake can still bite for about a minute due to its reflexes.
- Always wear high boots that cover your ankles and tuck your pants into them.
- Make noise. Most snakes prefer to avoid you, just as you would avoid them. Therefore, to keep snakes aware of your presence, make noise as you approach.
Purchase a snake bite kit. If you're a frequent hiker or explorer, investing in a snake bite kit is a wise decision, which should include a suction device. Avoid kits with knives or suction bulbs.
Warning
- If you hear or see a venomous snake, stay still. Snakes rely on motion to detect potential threats as their vision is limited. Slowly step backward, and once you're out of the danger zone, alert others around you.
- Be cautious when walking in areas where both humans and rattlesnakes reside. Rattlesnakes typically rattle their tails to warn off threats, as they prefer to avoid confrontation. However, due to overhunting, their behavior has changed in areas with frequent human presence. In these regions, rattlesnakes are less likely to rattle and instead attempt to camouflage, making it easier for you to accidentally step on them.
- Some recommend wrapping an elastic bandage tightly, but not uncomfortably, around the area above the bite, about five to eight centimeters from the wound. You can use ACE Bandage-S or create your own from stretchy fabric. However, some experts advise against using an elastic bandage as it can hasten the venom's spread when removed. Individuals without first aid training may mistakenly wrap it too tightly, like a tourniquet, which can impede blood circulation and worsen the situation.
- Do not cut the wound to suck out the venom, whether with your mouth or using a snakebite suction device. This method will not significantly remove the toxins and could cause more skin damage.
