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Emergency first aid for a poisionous snake bite?

do not say stay calm and get to a dr. i am planning a serious hiking trip in a few weeks to some VERY VERY REMOTE areas. say i was bitten and 4 hours away from any person or vehicle, what's the best thing to do for first aid for a snake bite?

Public Comments

1. It depends on the snake, so you may need more research. If the snake has a deadly neurotoxin, you are screwed without anti-venom--there is no way to stop the poison from affecting you, so you have to hope that it was a weak strike or that you are strong enough to deal with it--there isn't a lot of first aid.

For snakes that only have hemotoxins (poisons that go through the blood), you can try putting pressure on the main blood vessel for the extremity that was bitten (like the femoral artery for the leg) to slow the spread of the poison. A friend can suck the poison out, but only if you know the snake doesn't have a neurotoxin as well--if it does, it will poison your friend when he tries to help. You could also try to help the poison out by squeezing around the area to try to push as much blood and poison out with it.

First aid for a snake bite is a desperation move--the right answer if possible is exactly what was in your question--stay calm and get medical help. A snakebite is very bad news without that help.

2. squeeze out all venom and if it is on your arm or leg tie somthing around it further up your arm or leg to cut contact from heart so bad blood doesent kill u stay hydrated

3. Depends on the snake, depends on where you are going.

Try and kill the snake and take it with you. This will help identification later. Keep the bite below the level of the heart. Encourage bleeding as this will help flush the wound. Do not use a tourniquet. Get help.

If anything else happens between this and you getting help, treat that as it is.