How to Survive Being Bitten by a Venomous Snake

Co-authored by Caroline Heiderscheit Medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD

Last Updated: June 11, 2023 Approved

The key to surviving a venomous snake bite is to stay calm and seek medical attention immediately so a doctor can administer an antivenom drug. It's especially important to seek help if the bite mark changes in color, starts to swell up, or is painful. Venomous snake bites can cause severe injury and sometimes death, so don't hesitate to call 911 or head to the hospital if you're bitten. Read on for more tips to survive a venomous snake bite.^{[1]
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1

Move out of the snake’s reach.

If you’re with other people, make sure everyone else stays clear of the snake as well. When you get to safety, sit down. Bites can cause victims to pass out, which would be more dangerous from a standing position.^{[2]
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2

Call 911 or go to the ER immediately.

Getting medical attention is your top priority. Call 911 immediately if you're located in the USA. Antivenom is necessary to treat serious and life-threatening effects of venomous snake bites, and it will be provided by emergency medical services and by your local hospital.^{[3]
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- For emergency service phone numbers outside of the US, click here.

3

Keep your body as still as possible.

It's especially important to keep the limb or area that's been bitten still. Moving around could cause the venom to spread through your body more quickly.^{[4]
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4

Take deep breaths to stay calm.

Focus on your breathing. If you’re with other people, let someone else be the one to call 911 so you can focus on staying relaxed.^{[5]
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5

Remove jewelry or tight clothes near the bite.

Jewelry, shoes, socks, or tight clothes can cause even more damage to a swelling snake bite. If the swelling has already started, do your best to remove the items as quickly as possible.^{[6]
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6

Keep the bite location below your heart.

The venom will spread slower from the snake bite location if it stays below your heart. If you get bitten on the leg, for example, sit with your chest up and your legs laying flat on the ground to keep your heart above the bite.^{[7]
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7

Clean the wound with warm, soapy water.

Use soap and water to clean the snake bite wound gently. Don’t wash thoroughly or aggressively, because if you completely remove the venom and haven’t gotten a good look at the snake, this can make it harder to treat with the correct antivenom.^{[8]
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8

Wrap a bandage tightly over the bite.

Find a wrap that's clean and dry. Cover the snakebite. If possible, tightly wrap a pressure bandage around the wound.^{[9]
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9

Avoid treatments that can make a bite worse.

Some common emergency home treatments are unsafe for snake bites. Avoid consuming alcohol as a means of managing pain. Drinking caffeine could cause the venom to move through your body faster, so avoid coffee and tea. You should also avoid:^{[10]
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- Using a tourniquet
- Applying ice
- Cutting the wound
- Attempting to remove or suck out the venom
- Submerging the bite in water
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10

Describe the snake to your doctor.

This helps your doctor provide the right antivenom as fast as possible. Antivenom is a medicine administered via injection or IV that counteracts the most serious effects of snake venom in the body. Specifically, it prevents venom from binding to tissue, which can cause blood clotting, kidney damage, and damage to the nervous system. If you or a friend can remember the distinctive features of the snake, this will be extremely helpful to your doctor. For example:^{[11]
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- Length
- Girth
- Head shape
- Pattern on its body
- Additional distinctive traits (like a rattling noise before striking)

11

Let your body rest and recover.

Suffering a venomous snake bite is serious, so give your body time to heal. Depending on the kind of snake bite you received, recovery could take anywhere from two weeks for children to multiple months for adults. There are many other factors that affect the length and severity of treatment, so always follow your doctor's instructions.^{[12]
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- No matter what, a venomous snake bite will mean remaining in the hospital for 24 hours to be monitored by your doctor.
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