First aid

Based on WHO guidance · pending medical review

Snakebite first aid

Many snakebites are from non-venomous snakes, and even after a venomous bite the risk of death is usually not immediate. Stay calm, keep still and get to medical care quickly.

Go to a hospital now.

Get the bitten person to a hospital that can give antivenom as fast as possible: call your local emergency number now and do not wait for symptoms.1,2

  • Australia

    Emergency000

    Australian first aid for snakebite uses a pressure immobilisation bandage and splint, and advises not washing the bite.

  • Bangladesh

    Emergency999

    A 2017 study noted that the Indian polyvalent antivenom used in Bangladesh is not made from the venoms of local species such as the monocled cobra, and it did not prevent local tissue damage from cobra bites.

  • Brazil

    Ambulance192Emergency193

    Antivenom is free in Brazil's public health system (SUS), but it is only given in hospital, at reference hospitals chosen by each state.

  • India

    Ambulance108Emergency112

    Indian polyvalent antivenom is raised against the 'Big Four' and may not neutralise some regional species, such as the monocellate cobra in the North-East and the hump-nosed pit viper in the south-west.

  • Indonesia

    Ambulance119Emergency112

    Indonesia's own antivenom, made by Bio Farma, is raised against only three species (Javan spitting cobra, banded krait and Malayan pit viper), so it may work poorly for bites by other snakes such as green pit vipers.

  • Kenya

    Emergency999

    Antivenom is usually stocked only at hospitals and some health centres, so people bitten in rural areas often need to be referred, and delays are common.

  • Mexico

    Emergency911

    Mexico's public health system uses two anti-viper antivenoms; one is made from the venoms of the terciopelo and the Mexican west coast rattlesnake.

  • Nepal

    Ambulance102Emergency100

    100 is the police emergency number; call 102 for an ambulance.

  • Nigeria

    Emergency112

    Antivenoms made from Nigerian snake venoms (EchiTAb G and EchiTAb-Plus-ICP) have proved effective in clinical trials, while some imported antivenoms made from non-African snake venoms have proved ineffective.

  • Pakistan

    Emergency1122

    Rescue 1122 handles ambulance and fire emergencies; the police number is 15.

  • Philippines

    Emergency911

    The only antivenom made in the Philippines is Philippine Cobra Antivenom, raised against the Philippine cobra; there is no locally made antivenom for pit viper bites.

  • South Africa

    Ambulance10177Emergency112

    112 works for all emergencies from a mobile phone; 10177 is ambulance and fire, and 10111 is police.

  • Sri Lanka

    Ambulance1990Emergency119

    119 (or 118) is the police emergency number; call 1990 for an ambulance.

  • United States

    Emergency911

    For free, expert 24/7 advice you can also call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222, but call 911 in an emergency.

Not listed? Call your local emergency number.

While you get help

What to do

  1. Move away from the snake

    Get the person away from where the bite happened. If the snake is still attached, use a stick or tool to make it let go, never your hands.1,4

  2. Call for emergency transport

    Call your local emergency number or arrange the fastest safe transport to a hospital or health facility. Snakebite is a medical emergency, even if the person feels fine.1,2

  3. Reassure the bitten person

    Keep them calm and reassure them. Many bites are 'dry' or from harmless snakes, and severe envenoming usually develops slowly enough to allow time for treatment.1,2

  4. Remove rings and tight items

    Take off rings, watches, bracelets, anklets and anything tight near the bite before swelling starts, because they can cause harm if the limb swells.1,4

  5. Keep the person and limb still

    Lay the person down and splint the bitten limb to keep it still. Any movement, even walking, can speed the spread of venom, so carry them if possible.1,2

  6. Lay them on their left side

    Vomiting may occur, so place the person in the recovery position on their left side. Watch their breathing closely and be ready to start CPR if needed.1,2

  7. Use only paracetamol for pain

    Paracetamol (acetaminophen) may be given for pain, which can be severe. Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen.1,2

Myths that cost lives

What not to do

These are common, and they waste time or cause harm.

  • Don't cut or suck the wound

    Cutting, pricking or sucking the bite is useless or dangerous, and can cause infection, more bleeding and faster venom absorption.1,2,4

  • Don't use a tight tourniquet

    Tight bands cut off blood flow and have caused gangrene. If one is already on, leave it for hospital staff to remove safely.1,2

  • Don't apply ice or chemicals

    Ice packs, chemicals, electric shock and other things put on the wound are useless or harmful and waste precious time.2,4

  • Don't rely on traditional remedies

    Herbal medicines, 'snake stones' and other traditional treatments are unproven or unsafe, and must never delay getting to hospital.1,2

  • Don't take aspirin or alcohol

    Aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can increase bleeding, and alcohol should not be used as a painkiller.2,4

  • Don't try to catch or kill the snake

    Chasing or handling the snake risks more bites, even from a dead one. If it is safe, a photo from a distance can help doctors.2,4

  • Don't wait for symptoms

    Signs of envenoming can take time to appear, so get medical help straight away rather than waiting to see what happens.2,4

Watch for

Warning signs

Some bites, such as from kraits, can be almost painless at first, so get urgent medical care if any of these signs appear, especially in children, who can be affected faster.2,3

  • Drooping eyelids or double vision
  • Difficulty swallowing or a nasal voice
  • Difficulty breathing or growing weakness
  • Bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in vomit
  • Bleeding from the bite that won't stop
  • Swelling spreading up the bitten limb
  • Dark brown urine or passing little urine
  • Vomiting, drowsiness, fainting or collapse

Prevention

Avoiding bites

  • Sleep off the floor, under a net

    Where kraits occur, sleep on a raised bed under a mosquito net well tucked in under the mattress or mat. Krait bites often happen to people sleeping on the floor.2

  • Use a torch at night

    Carry a torch or lamp after dark, especially after rain, and tap the ground ahead with a stick. Light around the house and on the way to the latrine helps too.2

  • Wear boots and long trousers

    Most bites are on the feet and lower legs. Wear solid shoes or boots and long trousers in fields, undergrowth and the dark, and gloves when clearing brush.2,4

  • Watch where you put hands and feet

    Don't reach into holes, nests or hidden spaces. Step onto rocks or logs rather than straight over them, as snakes may be resting against their sides.2,4

  • Keep rodents away from home

    Store food in rodent-proof containers, keep livestock and chickens out of the house, and clear rubbish and undergrowth nearby so snakes have nowhere to hide.2

  • Never handle or attack snakes

    Never touch, threaten or attack a snake, not even a dead one. Leave it alone and give it every chance to escape.2,4

References

  1. 1

    World Health Organization. Snakebite envenoming: Treatment (Box 1, first aid). Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. who.int

  2. 2

    World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia. Guidelines for the management of snakebites, 2nd edition. New Delhi: WHO SEARO; 2016. ISBN 978-92-9022-530-0. who.int

  3. 3

    World Health Organization. Snakebite envenoming: fact sheet. who.int

  4. 4

    US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH. Venomous snakes (outdoor workers). cdc.gov

This page is educational and does not replace medical care. It follows WHO guidance and is waiting for review by a qualified medical professional.

Try “krait”, “cobra” or Naja. Typos are fine.