Snake Bite First Aid: What to Do and What NOT to Do

DO: Stay calm, call emergency services, keep the bitten area still and below heart level, remove jewelry near the bite, note the time and snake appearance if possible. DO NOT: Apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, try to suck out venom, apply ice, drink alcohol, try to catch or kill the snake. Most hospital treatments are supportive — antivenom is the only specific treatment.

In the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worldwide, 5.4 million snakebites occur annually with 81,000-138,000 deaths..