A snakebite can be frightening, especially when you don't know whether the snake was venomous. In that moment, panic and improvised remedies can make an already dangerous situation worse.
The most important rule is simple: treat a suspected venomous snakebite as a medical emergency and get professional medical care as quickly as possible. Venom can affect the nervous system, blood clotting, breathing, kidneys, and tissues around the bite, and serious symptoms are not always immediate. Antivenom is the most effective treatment for reversing many dangerous effects of venomous snakebite.
Here's what to do—and what to avoid—if someone is bitten.
1. Move Away From the Snake
First, get yourself and the injured person away from the snake.
Do not try to catch, kill, or handle the snake for identification. Attempting to approach it creates a risk of another bite, and identifying the snake is not worth putting another person in danger. If it can be done safely from a distance, remember its general appearance or take a photograph without approaching it.
Your priority is the person who has been bitten, not the snake.
2. Get Medical Help Immediately
Seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.
Do not wait to see whether symptoms develop. Some venomous snakebites can initially appear mild before serious effects become apparent. Prompt evaluation allows healthcare professionals to monitor the person and provide antivenom or other supportive treatment when necessary.
If emergency transport is available, use it. The bitten person should avoid walking or exerting themselves unnecessarily.
