Snake bites should be treated as medical emergencies. Call 911 if the snake may be venomous or if the person has trouble breathing, lost consciousness, or the bite is from an unknown snake. To treat the bite, note the snake's appearance, keep the person still and lying down with the wound below the heart, cover it loosely and remove jewelry. Do not cut the wound, suck out venom, use a tourniquet or give the person medications. Seek medical help who can determine if anti-venom is needed based on the snake type and give a tetanus shot if required.

1. WHAT ARE SNAKE
BITES?

2. SNAKE BITES
• CALL 911 IF:
• 1. There is any chance that the snake is venomous
• 2. The person has difficulty breathing
• 3. There is loss of consciousness
• 4. If you know the snake is not venomous, treat as a puncture
wound.

3. SNAKE BITES
• TREATMENT:
• 1. Note the Snake's Appearance
• A. Be ready to describe the snake to emergency staff.
• 2. Protect the Person
• While waiting for medical help:
• A. Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
• B. Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
• C. Keep the person calm and at rest, remaining as still as possible to keep venom
from spreading.
• D. Cover the wound with loose, sterile bandage.
• E. Remove any jewelry from the area that was bitten.
• F. Remove shoes if the leg or foot was bitten.

4. SNAKE BITES
• 3. Do not:
• A. Cut a bite wound
• B. Attempt to suck out venom
• C. Apply tourniquet, ice, or water
• D. Give the person alcohol or carbonated drinks or any other medications
• 4. Follow Up
• If you treat the bite at home:
• A. Contact a health care provider. The person may need a tetanus shot.
Tetanus boosters should be given every 10 years.

5. SNAKE BITES
• At the hospital, treatment will depend on the type of snake.
• A. If the snake was venomous, the person will be given anti-venom
treatment.
• B. A tetanus shot may be given, depending on date of last injection.