This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
Critical
A snake bit me or someone else
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bite from a snake, species may be unknown.
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This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bite from a snake, species may be unknown.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Move away. Keep still. Go to hospital now.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Signs of envenomation: puncture marks, pain, swelling, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some bites cause little immediate pain but can still be medically significant. Do not wait for symptoms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Treat all snakebites as emergencies until a hospital evaluates them.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A snake may have injected venom through its fangs. Not all snakebites envenomate, but all need hospital evaluation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Venom spreads through the lymphatic system. Movement and exertion accelerate its spread.
Check the scene before you approach.
Keep the person as still as possible. Movement spreads venom faster.
Other · CRITICAL
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT cut the wound, suck venom, or apply a tourniquet — these cause additional harm.
Do not: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — No cutting, suction, tourniquets, ice, or electric shock.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person still, immobilize the limb, and go to hospital.
Other · CRITICAL
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT try to catch or kill the snake — you risk another bite.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move away calmly. Describe the snake from memory.
Other · CAUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite — swelling may trap them.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move away from the snake calmly. Do not try to catch or kill it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or prepare for immediate transport to hospital.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the bitten person as still as possible.
When and how to get professional help.
All snakebites need hospital evaluation — even if the snake seems harmless.
Do not try to identify the snake by catching it. Do not apply traditional remedies.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Request ambulance transport to the nearest hospital with antivenom capability.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: Snakebite emergency. Location: [address/GPS]. Time of bite: [time]. Symptoms: [swelling, pain, breathing]. Snake description if known.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before calling. Early hospital care improves outcomes.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT cut the wound or attempt to suck out venom.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT apply a tourniquet, ice, or electric shock to the bite.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT try to catch or kill the snake — you risk another bite.
Step-by-step questions to help you decide what to do.
Emergency mode includes an interactive decision guide that walks you through key questions for this situation.
Open emergency guideChild, infant, elderly, and other variations.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
When Professional Care Is Needed
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pediatric snakebites require immediate hospital care. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
What you can do before an emergency happens.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Know the location of the nearest hospital with antivenom. Save 112 in your phone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — In snake-prone areas, wear boots and long pants when walking in grass or bush.
Check your understanding with recognition and action questions.
Question 1 · do-not
Someone has been bitten by a snake. What should you NOT do?
Feedback: Never cut the wound or try to suck out venom. This is a dangerous myth that causes additional harm without removing venom.
Question 2 · action-first
After a snakebite, what is the most important action?
Feedback: All snakebites need hospital evaluation, even if the snake seems harmless. Professional medical care is the only effective treatment.
Question 3 · recognition
Why should the bitten person stay as still as possible?
Feedback: Movement increases blood flow and can spread venom through the body faster. Keep the person as still as possible.
Reusable skills connected to this situation.
Am I safe?
Recognize hazards before you help. Do not become another casualty.
Call for help
WHERE → WHAT → HOW MANY → DANGER → CONDITION → CALLBACK.
Should I move them?
Do not move unnecessarily — move when staying creates greater immediate danger.
Help safely
Rescue limitations, dangerous improvisation, and escalation.
Where this guidance comes from.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the bitten limb still and below heart level if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not cut the wound, suck venom, apply ice, or use a tourniquet.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Immobilize the limb with a splint if available. Minimize all movement.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mark the edge of swelling with a pen and note the time. This helps hospital staff track progression.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note snake appearance (color, pattern, size) from memory — do not approach the snake.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help the person stay calm and still. Reassure them — panic increases heart rate and venom spread.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Immobilize the bitten limb. Do not let them walk if transport is coming.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not attempt traditional remedies — no cutting, sucking, tourniquets, or ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If bitten alone: move away from the snake, call 112 on speakerphone, stay still.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove jewelry near the bite. Keep the limb immobilized while waiting for help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — In regions where pressure immobilization is recommended, apply a firm bandage over the bite and splint the limb.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pressure immobilization technique varies by region and snake type. Follow local emergency guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pressure immobilization bandage (where recommended): slows venom spread through the lymphatic system.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Splint: keeps the limb immobilized during transport.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Marker or pen: mark swelling edges with time stamps for hospital staff.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person still. Use any available cloth as a sling to immobilize the limb.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your priority is stillness and rapid hospital transport. Equipment helps but is not required to start.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Slows venom spread through lymphatic system where regional protocol recommends it.
Firm cloth bandage and splint
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Immobilizes the bitten limb to reduce venom spread from muscle movement.
Sling made from clothing
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mark swelling edges with time to track envenomation progression for hospital staff.
Note times and descriptions verbally
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All snakebites require hospital evaluation — even if the snake appeared harmless or symptoms are mild.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Antivenom may be needed. Only hospitals can determine this and administer treatment safely.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not enter areas where the snake may still be present to search for it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe the snake from a safe distance or from memory. Let professionals handle snake removal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Cut and suck the venom." Reality: Cutting causes tissue damage and infection. Suction does not remove venom effectively.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Apply a tourniquet or ice." Reality: Tourniquets cause tissue death. Ice worsens local damage.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cut the wound and suck out the venom
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cutting causes tissue damage. Suction does not effectively remove venom and risks infection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Traditional remedies delay proper hospital care and cause additional injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Apply a tourniquet to stop venom spread
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tourniquets cause limb ischemia and tissue death. Immobilization is the correct approach.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tourniquet use can result in amputation even when antivenom is available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Apply ice to the bite
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice causes local tissue damage and does not prevent venom spread.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice can worsen tissue injury at the bite site.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drink alcohol to slow the venom
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Alcohol increases heart rate and blood flow, potentially accelerating venom spread.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Alcohol impairs judgment and delays seeking proper medical care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital observation may last hours to days depending on envenomation severity.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow all discharge instructions. Some effects appear or worsen after initial treatment.
When to call for help
Teach escalation without encouraging diagnosis.