How To Treat a Snakebite

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The only thing worse than being bitten by a snake is not knowing what to do.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Medical attention
Soap
Water

Warning: Snakebites are serious. Seek immediate medical attention.

Step 1: Call 911

Call 911 before you do anything. Or, if you can, drive straight to the nearest emergency room. We don't want to scare you, but snake venom can lead to amputation of the infected limb if it's not treated quickly.

Step 2: Know what not to do

Know what not to do. Don't have someone suck out the venom (they'll infect the wound and make themselves sick); don't put ice on the bite or try to cool it off in any way; don't make a tourniquet, unless you want to lose the limb; and don't cut into the bite.

Step 3: Keep the bite area below heart level

If you're waiting for help to arrive, keep the bite below heart level.

Step 4: Loosen clothing

Loosen or remove any tight clothing around arms and legs.

Step 5: Wash the bite

Wash the bite area with soap and water.

Step 6: Look into the snake's eyes

If you or someone else managed to kill the snake, look into its eyes. Vertical pupils indicate poisonous snakes, while round pupils are usually the sign of harmless ones. In any case, bring the dead snake to the ER with you.

Tip: The exception to the pupil rule is the coral snake, which has round pupils and bands of red, yellow, and black. So remember this little ditty: "If red touches yellow, it can kill a fellow."

Step 7: Avoid future bites

Avoid future bites by looking before you step—or put your hand into any tall brush or dark crevice. In the wild, use a walking stick to sweep the area in front of you as you stroll. And if you do see a snake, slowly back away from it!

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• bite
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• how-to
• howcast
• poison
• safety
• snake
• treat

[zac0964]

0:10. eek?

[DrCheese100]

0:13 nakebites? are serious eek? immediate medical attention

[leader679]

1. Stay in home

[pokemon1010e]

How to treat a snakebite.

1. Snap the snake's neck.

2. Make snake into hollowed out snakes skin.

3. Insert Urine

4. ???

5. Profit!

Did you know: Balls are round.

[dinahmanatee]

@SoMJenn Wait, never mind. I thought you were talking about another one of my dogs, River. He got bit by a snake too. Cougar, my westie, is unfortunately dead. :(

[dinahmanatee]

@SoMJenn No, he's alive. In fact, he's better than ever! But I really appreciate your sympathy. You can check out River (the dog) on my channel. He's so nice.

[SoMJenn]

@dinahmanatee Aww, that's so sad. :( I'm sorry for your loss. 

[PurpleOrigami28]

What an ugly snake :P

[123skyball1]

0:10 their video screen was supposed to be bigger lol epic fail

[TheCrasella]

@growlithfan225 lol after what did u do

[TheCrasella]

lol i saw a snake in the beach once and some guy was soo brave he held it. he or anyone else did not bitten even though it was posinous. i never went to that beach ever since that day. lol

[dinahmanatee]

My dog got bit in the throat by a snake yesterday. RIP Cougar Feb.10,2010-Nov.9,2011 :(