The right actions to take in an emergency
Here we are. Here's what to do — and especially what not to do — if someone is bitten:
✅ Call emergency services immediately. Every minute counts.
✅ Immobilize the bitten area. The person should not walk or move the affected limb. Use a splint if possible.
✅ Apply a firm bandage along the entire length of the limb, starting from the bite and working upwards. Do not apply it too tightly to avoid cutting off circulation.
❌ Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom. These reflexes, however instinctive, are dangerous and ineffective.
❌ Do not wash the bitten area. Traces of venom can help doctors determine the correct treatment.
❌ Do not attempt to capture the snake. This is neither useful nor safe — current treatments allow for care without precise species identification.
The bandage should only be removed in a medical setting: releasing it too soon would cause the venom to spread rapidly throughout the body.
Knowing what to do before it happens is already half the battle.
