How To Treat a Snakebite

Call 911 before you do anything. Or, if you can, drive straight to the nearest emergency room. We don’t want to scare you, but snake venom can lead to amputation of the infected limb if it’s not treated quickly.

Know what not to do. Don’t have someone suck out the venom (they’ll infect the wound and make themselves sick); don’t put ice on the bite or try to cool it off in any way; don’t make a tourniquet, unless you want to lose the limb; and don’t cut into the bite.

If you’re waiting for help to arrive, keep the bite below heart level.

Loosen or remove any tight clothing around arms and legs.

Wash the bite area with soap and water.

If you or someone else managed to kill the snake, look into its eyes. Vertical pupils indicate poisonous snakes, while round pupils are usually the sign of harmless ones. In any case, bring the dead snake to the ER with you.

Avoid future bites by looking before you step—or put your hand into any tall brush or dark crevice. In the wild, use a walking stick to sweep the area in front of you as you stroll. And if you do see a snake, slowly back away from it!