What is the best way to treat a snakebite?
Immediate steps
If someone is bitten by a snake, your top priority is to get emergency medical help. Call 911 (or the local emergency number) immediately, even if the bite seems minor. Keep the person as calm and still as possible, because movement speeds up the spread of venom. Have them lie down with the bite below heart level if you can, and remove any tight clothing or jewelry near the bite before swelling starts.
Do not try to capture or kill the snake—that's how many second bites happen. If you can safely take a photo from a distance, do it, but don't risk another bite. Note the time of the bite and any symptoms that develop, like swelling, nausea, or trouble breathing.
- Call 911 or local emergency services.
- Keep the person calm and lying still.
- Remove rings, watches, or tight clothing near the bite.
- Don't cut, suck, or use a tourniquet.
- Don't apply ice or immerse the bite in water.
- Get to a hospital as soon as possible.
What not to do
Old cowboy movies made cutting and sucking the venom look heroic, but it doesn't work and can cause infection or nerve damage. Tourniquets are also dangerous because they can cut off blood flow and lead to tissue death. Ice or cold packs can make tissue damage worse. And don't give the person alcohol or caffeine—they can increase heart rate and speed venom absorption.
If you're far from help, the best you can do is keep the person still and send someone else for help. If you must move, carry the person rather than letting them walk. In the U.S., antivenom is the standard treatment, and hospitals in snake-prone areas usually stock it.
Common mistakes
- Cutting the wound and trying to suck out venom does not help and can cause harm.
- Applying a tourniquet can lead to loss of the limb and is not recommended.
- Waiting to see if symptoms get worse before seeking help can waste precious time.
