According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anywhere from 4.5 million to 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year—with at least 81,000 people dying from the bites. Despite how common snake bites happen, many people don’t know what to do after suffering an attack. The good news is that with prompt medical care, many people survive these incidents with nothing but a thrilling story.
Learn here how to navigate the aftermath of a snake attack and what considerations promote your health.
1. Attempt to Identify the Snake
Most snake bites are accidental. Up to 70 percent of snake bites happened because the person did not see the snake. There is a big possibility that you were not conscious of the snake in the first place!
It’s always helpful if you can take a glance or even a picture. Pay attention to the color, pattern, and shape of the snake, and communicate this with the emergency team so that they can administer the proper medication. Different snakes require different courses of treatment after a bite. For instance, some snake bites require a wait-and-see approach, while others (such as black mamba bites) require prompt antivenom.
Don’t aggravate the snake further by trying to catch, trap, or chase after it. This could cause more bites as a defense mechanism, worsening your condition. Even if it’s a small snake, do not underestimate their potential for harm!
2. Contact Emergency Services Immediately
Even if you can’t tell whether the snake was venomous, contact emergency services immediately. Several snakes might look similar to each other, so there is no safe bet. Also, keep in mind that this is an open wound, so aside from the venom, infection will likely happen due to germs or bacteria entering and growing under the skin.
Again: contact an emergency service straight away, such as your local Emergency Medical Services or an ambulance. Share where, what, and how the bite happened, so they can better assess the situation.
3. Stay Calm and Don’t Move
If you were bitten by a snake, keep your body movement as minimal as possible. If you move around too much, your heart rate will go up, the venom will spread faster through your body, and the reaction will be much stronger. Try to remain calm and still to lower your heart rate.
If someone else was bitten by the snake, try to keep them comfortable by calming them down. Move them away from the snake, ensure they are in a resting position, and assure that help is coming.
4. Administer First Aid
While you are waiting for help to come, you can take action and start administering first aid to the victim. As we’ve mentioned, the goal is to keep the venom from spreading so you’ll need to immobilize the wound. Here are some step-by-step instructions:
- Grab a bandage and start wrapping the wound as tightly as possible. It should be tight enough that you cannot put your finger underneath the wrapping.
- Apply a roller bandage to put pressure on the limb that has been bitten. Start at above fingers or toes up until you are close to the body.
- Tie the limb to a stick or pole to keep it straight and immobile.
- Mark off the bite location on the bandage with a pen or marker.
If the wound is on the stomach or any area that is not the limb, you can substitute this with steady, firm, and constant pressure on the area.
What to Avoid After a Snake Bite
After you’ve done all the above, don’t do anything else to aggravate the wound. There are several things you must avoid, so that the victim has the best chance of survival.
You might be tempted to copy what they do in the movies by sucking out the venom from the wound, but this could cause further infection and spread. Furthermore, if someone else is doing it to another person, you can risk having a second infection.
Another action you should not do might seem a little counterintuitive. Do not wash the wound with antiseptic or water. This may wash off the venom that’s left on the skin, and the hospital can use this to identify the venomous snake.
Lastly, do not apply a tourniquet to the wound. This could potentially be dangerous for the person and cut off blood circulation. For the moment, immobilizing the wound as we’ve pointed out before is enough to keep the venom from spreading.
Always be observant when you are in the wilderness. Snakes might be hiding under debris, swimming in the water, or inside holes. What’s more, if you see a snake, keep your distance! These animals generally only attack when threatened.
