Here's What You Should Do If You're Ever Bitten By a Snake

From avid gardeners to hikers, anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors runs the risk of crossing paths with a poisonous snake. And if you think you're not in a snake-prone state, think again. According to the CDC, venomous snakes are found across the country, with the eastern and southern states at higher risk. Some of the most common varieties are copperheads, coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins (also called cottonmouths).  Each year in the U.S., approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people get venomous snake bites. Globally, that number jumps to 2.4 million. Even though the national figure isn't alarmingly high, bites can be fatal, especially if proper steps aren't taken once the incident occurs

Step one: Do NOT​ attempt to suck out the venom.

One of the biggest myths surrounding treatment is that sucking the venom out will help. Do not do that. Cutting or applying suction to the area will only cause more damage. You should also avoid ice packs, tourniquets or any anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. 

If you get bitten, the first and most important step is, of course, calling 911 and getting to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Until you get there, here are a few things you can do on your own:

Remove any tight-fitting clothes or jewelry.

Take photos of the wound every 15 minutes. Capture the site of the wound and any other swollen area that appears on the skin. This will come in handy when you get to the hospital. 

Do not panic. Doing anything that increases your heart rate will spread the venom quicker. 

Staying calm when you've been bitten by a venomous snake may sound impossible, but let us offer some perspective: Out of the thousands of people bitten each year in the U.S., there are five or six fatalities.