What To Do For Snake Bites

There are 4 kinds of poisonous snakes in the United States which are the rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth, and coral.Three of the four snakes have similar physical traits which can be easily recognized with their triangular shaped heads, slit-like eyes, long fangs, and alike bite marks with one or two small puncture wounds about a half inch apart.The rattlesnake and the copperhead, both shake their tails when threatened, but the rattlesnake is the only one with rattles at the end of their tail. The deaths in the United States caused by poisonous snakebites is very small with most being from the rattlesnakes. The most poisonous snake out of the group is the coral however its rare that someone is bitten by this very venomous snake.

Cottonmouth

Always treat a bite as if it were caused by a poisonous snake if your uncertain what kind of snake the wound was caused by. The first step with caring for a bite victim is to lay the person on their back and keep the bite below the level of the heart so blood from the bite area runs at a slower pace to the heart. The goal is to also keep the bite victim as calm as possible.

Copperhead

Next identify the kind of snake if at all possible. Its suggested if you kill the snake to try and not damage its head for identification reasons. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Rattlesnake

If your certain the bite was caused from a poisonous snake and it will take longer than 30 minutes to receive medical assistance, and the bite occurred on an arm or leg, you will need to apply a light tied tourniquet above the wound.

Contrary to popular belief, it does not help to make an incision at the bite mark and suck out the venom or use a snakebite kit and should not be performed. Never apply ice or a cold compress to the wound. Be sure to assist the person should they have to walk otherwise don't permit them to get up and walk for fear of falling as well as the need to slow down the blood running to the heart.

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