Treatment of Snakebite

Immediate First Aid Measures

The American Heart Association recommends activating emergency services immediately for any person bitten by a venomous or possibly venomous snake 1
Rest and immobilize the bitten extremity and minimize exertion by the victim to reduce systemic absorption of venom, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2
Remove rings and other constricting objects from the bitten extremity to prevent damage from swelling, according to the American Heart Association 1, 3
Transport the victim to a medical facility as quickly as possible, as definitive treatment (antivenom) is only available in healthcare settings, as stated by the American College of Cardiology 4, 1

Do NOT apply ice to a snakebite wound as it has unproven benefits and may cause tissue injury, as warned by the American Heart Association 1, 3
Do NOT use suction devices (with or without incision) as they are ineffective for venom removal and may cause tissue injury, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 3
Do NOT apply electric shock as it is ineffective and potentially harmful, as stated by the American Heart Association 1, 3
Do NOT apply tourniquets as they can worsen local tissue injury, as warned by the American College of Cardiology 1, 3
Do NOT use pressure immobilization bandaging in North America, as it may worsen tissue injury with cytotoxic venoms, according to the American Heart Association 1, 3

Antivenom is the cornerstone of treatment for venomous snakebites, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 4, 1

Coral snake bites (Elapidae) in the Southeast and Southwest US produce primarily neurotoxic effects rather than tissue injury and require specific management, as stated by the American Heart Association 2, 5
Most snakebites occur during warmer months and involve the extremities, according to the American College of Cardiology 4, 1
Approximately 8,000-10,000 people are treated for snakebites annually in the US, with most caused by pit vipers (rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths), as reported by the American Heart Association 1

Delaying transport to a medical facility to attempt first aid measures that are ineffective, as warned by the American College of Cardiology 1
Failing to remove constricting items like rings, which can lead to ischemic injury as swelling progresses, according to the American Heart Association 1, 3
Excessive movement of the victim, which can increase venom absorption through the lymphatic system, as stated by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2
Using pressure immobilization techniques developed for neurotoxic snakes on cytotoxic snake bites, which predominate in North America, as warned by the American Heart Association 1, 3