Would you know what to do if you came across a snake on the road? These 5 common mistakes can help you
Only about 5 people die each year from snake bites, but thousands more get bitten by one that is venomous. Here’s what to do to avoid it happening to you.
Most of the snakes that inhabit the United States are completely harmless as only about 10 percent of them are venomous. Still you don’t want to take the chance of finding out the hard way which kind it is should you cross paths with one of these slithering reptiles.
Only about 5 people die per year who are bitten by a venomous snake according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, many more would if they didn’t receive medical care. Still, of the 7,000-8,000 who do get bitten by a venomous snake, between 10% and 44% receive lasting injuries.
Common mistakes people make when they encounter a snake
Whether you are walking in the countryside or working in the outdoors there are steps that you can take to avoid getting bitten by snakes. These include:
- Leave snakes alone: give them a distance of at least 6 feet
- Never touch snakes, even dead ones can still have venom in their fangs
- Never step into places you cannot see
- Avoid picking up rocks and firewood
- Use caution when climbing on rocks and piles of wood
- Stay on trails and avoid walking in tall grass unless you have protective clothing including:
- Thick leather boots
- Long pants, chaps or gaiters
- Leather gloves when working outdoors
Snakes can strike much faster and further than you may think. Some can reach out almost half their body length in a split second. If you stumble across a snake and are too close, take a minimum of two giant steps backwards to put yourself out of reach.
What should you do if you get bitten by a snake?
If you get bitten by a snake, stay calm but seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you can, or preferably someone in your party, take a picture of the snake from a safe distance.
Do not do anything to the snake bite as you may make things worse. Keep the bite below the level of your heart, do not elevate.
Remove any constrictive clothing, bracelets, rings or watches in case the area around the bite begins to swell.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking medical attention. Do not apply a tourniquet or cut the wound in any way and do not try to suck out the venom. Nor should you apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
And do not drink alcohol or take any medications like aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce any pain. These will thin your blood allowing the venom to flow more freely through your body.
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