Phillip Elden explains that snakes can be either venomous or nonvenomous. Bites from either can cause swelling, bleeding, and an open wound that many people believe should be taken care of with a tourniquet. This is a mistake that may cause someone to lose a body part. Phillip Elden says that another mistake is trying to open the wound with a knife to remove the venom. This can cause or further an infection. Under no circumstances should someone try to suck the venom from an open wound; this only works in the movies.
If possible, try and identify the snake. However, you should not try to pick it up or trap it as this can put you or other members of your party at immediate risk of an additional snakebite. Other things that you should avoid if you’ve been bitten by a snake are:
- Immersing the wound in water. According to Phillip Elden, you should not put ice or water on snakebites.
- Drinking alcohol to numb the pain. Alcohol can thin your blood, which can result in heavier bleeding. Further, drinking alcohol can numb the senses and slow your response time, meaning that you may be more injured than you realize.
- Drinking caffeine. There is a good chance that your heart rate will already speed up if you’ve been bitten by a snake. This can be caused by venom or adrenaline. It’s best to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages, which also increase your heart rate.
Phillip Elden says that it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you can. If possible, contact your local EMS and your Poison Control Center. If immediate medical treatment is not possible, have the injured person sit with the wound below their heart, wash it with warm and soapy water, and cover the bite mark with a dry dressing, such as gauze or, in a pinch, a clean T-shirt.
