What you should do if you get bitten by a snake

Snakes are considered to be dangerous animals. Their bite sometimes can lead to death if the right kind of treatment is not provided in time. Most of us are not aware of what treatment or methods to use in case someone around you have been bitten by a snake. In this article we will tell you what you should do if you snake bites you. After all it’s better to do something on your own instead of waiting for people to help you out. A difference of second can make the decision between life and death.



Step one
Once you have bitten by the snake, one of the most important things is to get away from it as soon as possible in order to avoid getting bitten again. There is no point trying to capture the snake for the officials to identify its type as this might lead him biting you again. You need to stay as calm as possible.

Step two
Don’t waste your time by using the old techniques such as suction, incision or electric shock in order to stop the venom from spreading into your body. These methods won’t help and sometimes they cause more trouble than there already is.

Learn more: The Black Racer Snake

Step three
Call for medical help the moment you are bitten by the snake. Do not wait to ensure whether the snake was poisonous or not. Why waste precious time. While you are on the phone describe the snake to emergency responders as this will help them make the correct anti-venom for you. Give all the information regarding the characteristics of the snake such as the length of the snake, what color it was of? Define its thickness and describe the shape of its head. Let the responder know the shape of its pupil i.e. were they vertical or were they round. In-case you have someone with you tell them to take the picture of the snake and show that picture to the emergency responders.

Step four
If you have any fitted clothes on, you should remove them instantly. Also, get rid of any jewels you are wearing. If the snake bit you on your leg or your arm, splint it in order to restrict your movement. As this will decrease the blood circulating in that particular area, after all you don’t want the venom to spread in your entire body. Also, don’t stop the blood let the original wound bleed out.

Step five
Sometimes one doesn’t realize that he is bitten by a snake. One thinks it was just an insect. So, it is important that you know the symptoms of a venomous bite. We have mentioned some of the most common symptoms below.

  • Paralysis
  • Shock
  • Convulsions
  • Rapid pulse
  • Weakness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Swelling of the tongue and throat
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of coordination
  • Numbness or tingling in the face or limbs
  • Sweating, fever, and thirst
  • Salivation
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Fainting or dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Great pain or a burning sensation
  • Discoloration, redness and swelling around the bitten area.

If you notice any of the above symptoms it means you need to call in medical help. Don’t hesitate after all your life depends on it.

Go back to the How to get rid of snake home page.

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