7 Things You Should Never do if bitten by snakes

A snake bite can happen in the blink of an eye, and your immediate actions can either help or hinder your chances of survival. Understanding how to properly handle a snake bite is not only essential for safety but could be the deciding factor in getting timely medical help.

While snakebite management may seem straightforward, many people still fall prey to myths and misconceptions that can worsen the situation. This article explores 7 critical mistakes to avoid when dealing with a snake bite and offers life-saving tips to help you stay calm and act decisively.

Brushing It Off as a Non-Venomous Snake

When you’re bitten by a snake, the first instinct might be to assess the situation and figure out whether the snake is venomous. Unfortunately, this is a critical mistake that can cost you valuable time. Some non-venomous snakes can still cause serious infections from their bites, and even if the snake appears harmless, you cannot assume it’s safe until confirmed by medical professionals.

A snake bite can be deceptively subtle. The bite site may not show immediate symptoms, and you might even feel fine initially, leading you to think it wasn’t a venomous bite. However, snake venom can take time to show its full effect, and the lack of symptoms early on is no guarantee that the venom hasn’t entered your system. Healthdirect warns that some venomous snakes can deliver fatal bites without showing any immediate signs.

That’s why snake bite management must always include emergency services, regardless of the snake’s size or appearance. Delaying treatment could mean the venom takes over, so it’s always better to call Triple Zero (000) or 112 from your mobile as soon as possible.

Panicking and Moving Around

Panic can be a natural response when you’ve been bitten by a snake, especially if you don’t know what to do or how serious the bite could be. The surge of adrenaline might make you feel like running to safety or calling for help immediately. But moving around or panicking will only speed up the spread of venom.

Snake venom often travels through your lymphatic system, and movement speeds its spread. When your body moves or your heart rate increases during a panic attack, the venom spreads more easily throughout your system. Snake bite management in this case means staying calm and as still as possible. The best course of action is to lie down with your head lower than the rest of your body, so the venom doesn’t move toward vital organs like your heart or brain. It’s essential to breathe deeply to calm your nerves.

Keep your limbs immobilized, and avoid walking, running, or attempting any unnecessary movement. The slower and more deliberate your actions are, the more time you buy before medical professionals arrive.

Attempting to Cut or Suck Out the Venom

An old and dangerous myth is that cutting the wound or sucking out the venom can prevent it from spreading. This is not only ineffective but can cause more harm than good. Snake bite management has advanced far beyond these outdated methods, and trying to cut or suck out venom is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

Cutting the bite site causes more damage, increases the risk of infection, and increases blood loss. It also doesn’t effectively remove the venom. Sucking out venom, whether by mouth or using suction devices, is similarly ineffective and could lead to serious complications such as the spread of infection.

Instead, focus on keeping the area as clean as possible (without washing it), covering it loosely with a clean cloth or bandage, and immobilizing the limb if it’s a limb bite. Healthdirect confirms that modern snakebite management relies on preserving time until medical help arrives and does not involve physically removing venom.

Chasing After the Snake

The instinct to chase after the snake is common, especially if you didn’t get a good look at it or feel the urge to confront it. However, this action is one of the most dangerous mistakes when dealing with a snake bite. Not only does it put you at risk for a second bite, but it also wastes valuable time that could be spent getting help.

Snakes don’t usually bite unless provoked, and most species are not aggressive toward humans. They bite out of self-defense when they feel cornered or threatened. While you might think that identifying the snake will help medical professionals administer the right antivenom, chasing it only puts you at risk for more bites. Additionally, snake bite management experts like ANZCOR recommend not wasting time trying to capture or identify the snake.

It’s far safer to stay calm, call for help, and provide first aid while waiting for paramedics. Medical teams can identify the snake later, either through tests or by sending a venom sample to the lab.

Washing or Cleaning the Bite Site

You might think that cleaning the bite site is a good idea, especially if there’s dirt or debris in the wound. But this is another dangerous mistake in snake bite management that can undermine the chances of a proper diagnosis and treatment. Washing the wound or applying antiseptic may seem like common sense, but it actually washes away valuable evidence.

The venom remaining on the skin is vital for helping medical professionals identify the snake species and determine the appropriate treatment, including antivenom. According to Healthdirect, cleaning the bite site could dilute or remove venom, thereby delaying diagnosis. Instead of cleaning the bite, cover it lightly with a clean cloth and keep the wound as it is until medical professionals arrive.

Using a Tourniquet

Tourniquets were once thought to be an effective way to stop venom from spreading, but this old practice can do more harm than good.  A tourniquet restricts blood flow and can cause serious tissue damage, including the potential loss of the affected limb. Instead, pressure immobilization works by applying a firm bandage above the bite site to slow venom movement without cutting off circulation.

If you don’t have a bandage, you can use any available cloth or stretchy material, such as a T-shirt, stockings, or even a scarf. Simply wrap the material tightly around the limb, starting above the bite site, and then immobilize the limb to prevent movement.

According to Queensland Poisons Information Center, the goal is to apply a pressure bandage that slows venom movement while still allowing blood to flow.

Ignoring the Need for Pressure Immobilization

Many people skip this step in the heat of the moment, but pressure immobilization is one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of venom. Without this technique, venom can travel through your lymphatic system, affecting vital organs more quickly. Pressure immobilization helps to contain the venom within the affected limb, giving you a better chance to reach medical care before the venom spreads throughout your body.

You should apply a firm, wide bandage above the bite site to limit venom flow. This is particularly important if the bite is on a limb. If you’re unsure how to apply a bandage, it’s best to seek immediate medical help rather than attempt complex techniques on your own.

The effectiveness of this method is well documented by organizations such as ANZCOR and Healthdirect, making it a cornerstone of proper snakebite management.

Conclusion

Snake bites are rare, but they can be deadly if not treated promptly. The mistakes discussed in this article brushing off the bite, panicking, and resorting to outdated first aid methods are exactly what can prevent you from receiving timely medical care. Every second counts, so it’s important to stay calm, act swiftly.

The key takeaways? Always treat every snake bite as venomous, stay still, avoid chasing or killing the snake, and use a pressure immobilization bandage to slow venom spread. These actions could save your life, or the life of someone you care about, during an otherwise terrifying situation.

And don’t forget: if you ever find yourself in snake country, prevention is better than cure. Awareness, preparation, and training can all significantly improve your ability to respond in an emergency.

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