What to do if you encounter a snake

Do you know what to do if you encounter a snake? First, be prepared by:

• Wearing sturdy boots in the woods or tall grasses.
• Stay out of snake infested areas when hiking
• Use flashlights when night hiking
• Poke the ground with a long stick to scare off snakes hiding in grass.

Remember, snakes usually want to stay away from you because you are a threat to them!

What To Do If a Snake Bites You

Don’t panic. To prevent swelling, remove tight clothing, jewelry, and/or shoes that could potentially restrict the bite area, which can result it more harm. Lift the bitten limb to heart level.

Clean the wound with clean water, to get rid of any dirt. If you aren’t sure if you were bit or not, go to the closest hospital. Tie an elastic wrap two inches above the bite is a hospital is more than half an hour away. You should be able to slip a finger under it.

I don’t know what kind of snake it is!

If the snake bit you take a photo of it and show it to the doctor. Venomous snakes have distinct heads. While non-venomous snakes have a rounded head, venomous snakes have a more triangular-shaped head. Some non-venomous snakes can mimic the triangular shape of non-venomous snakes by flattening their heads.

I know it’s venomous! Will I die?

In the United States, only 1 in 50 million people die from a snake bite. You are more likely to get struck by lightning than die by a snake bite.

If you are bit by a venomous snake, you need to get medical attention immediately. Wash the bite with clean water and remove any rings and bracelets because your hand or feet could swell.

Keep the bitten area below your heart and dress it lightly with gauze. Stay calm.

Do NOT:

• Try to capture to snake
• Apply a tourniquet
• Try to suck the venom out
• Cut at the bite to remove the venom
• Use ice or cold water

I know it’s not venomous!

If you are bitten by a non-venomous snake you need to seek a doctor, because it is better to seek professional help. Your doctor might ask you what the snake looked like so that they can give the right anti-venom in case it was venomous. To be sure, you may want to take a photo of the snake a fine distance away from it. If you go to the doctor, you may end up with a tetanus shot depending on the injury and what vaccination you have gotten before.

If you know how to treat it at home, make sure that it was a non-venomous snake that bit you. First, keep the area nice and clean. Also keep the bite area dry. If you follow these two tips, no other treatment is needed, and any pain you have will go away in about 24 hours.

Snake Encounters

Check out the PowerPoint below to learn more!