How to avoid snakebites: a doctor’s tips to stay safe

Considering venomous snakes live in nearly every state in the U.S. — and climate change is likely expanding their territory — it’s not just rugged backpackers who need to know how to avoid snakebites. Everyone should know the basics of preventing snakebites and managing them when they occur, to decrease the chances that an adventure ends in an emergency.

To snakes, we are large predators threatening their territory, and they will only bite as a last resort to protect themselves. With the right preparation and caution, you can be confident in your ability to travel outdoors through areas where snakes live.

How often do snakes attack humans?

The majority of the approximately 5.4 million annual snakebites happen in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and lead to over 100,000 annual deaths — pushing snakebites onto the list of the World Health Organization’s neglected tropical diseases.

In the United States, snakebites are estimated to result in as many as 8,000 annual emergency department visits. Almost all the venomous snakebites reported are due to pit vipers (copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes). While the actual number of unreported snakebite victims are likely much higher, there are fortunately less than a dozen annual fatalities in the U.S.

The toxin from a snake’s venomous bite, called an envenomation, can lead to excruciating pain, severe tissue injury, long term disabilities, and even death without proper antivenom. Therefore, a healthy awareness of snakes is a legitimate concern. Indeed, it was the management of a snakebite that inspired the creation of the GOES Health App.

In 2019, I was called by a hiker who found my research and contact information online. He had been treated for a snakebite and discharged home from the hospital, but his symptoms of severe swelling and bruising worsened and then deteriorated during his subsequent hospital stay. Fortunately, I was able to provide specialized care to save the hiker’s leg.

While instances like this are a very serious concern, there are many ways we can stay well clear of snakes and reduce our chance of a snakebite. It is important to remember that snakes, too, wish to avoid contact with humans. The majority of envenomations occur during intentional human interaction with a snake or a surprised defensive strike, as opposed to an unseen attack.

Myths about snakebites

First, there are some common myths about snakebites that need to be dispelled:

Myth #1: More snakebites occur during droughts as snakes are out of their usual habitats looking for food.

False. There are more snakebites in the summer months following a rainier year than a drier year. The predominant thought is that more rain leads to more plant growth, which means more fodder for rodents. More rodents mean more food for snakes, and well fed snakes lead to more snake babies, and subsequently more snakebites.

Myth #2: Clapping your hands and yelling can scare a snake off

False. While snakes do have an inner ear structure, they do not have eardrums, meaning they don’t “hear” in the conventional sense. Snakes instead sense vibrations in the ground. Their inner ears are attached to their jaws, meaning as they slither around, vibrations are picked up and transmitted via these inner ears to the brain. Stamping your feet, therefore, will scare off a snake more readily than yelling, ”Go away snake!”

Myth #3: You can suck the venom out of a snakebite

False. The only cure for a venomous snakebite is antivenom at your local emergency department. Sucking, vacuum devices, cutting, electric shock, ice, etc. are all ineffective and even risk causing more damage. Tourniquets should also be avoided for snakebites! The pressure a tourniquet applies to the skin can lead to greater tissue loss and much worse outcomes.

Myth #4: Smaller snakes lead to more severe envenomation, as the baby snakes cannot regulate the amount of injected venom.

False. The larger the snake, the more severe the envenomation. Baby snakes of venomous species can still deliver a serious envenomation, but not as bad as a larger snake.

How to avoid snakebites: tips and preparation

With these myths dispelled, here are some ways you can prevent snakebites from happening:

• Be aware of which venomous snakes might be present where you are adventuring. You can use the World Health Organization’s snakebite distribution database for general info about snake species and regions. If you are going to a state or national park, check out the local information or talk to a park ranger.
• If you are in a desert/arid region of North America, listen for rattlesnakes. Remember that they sense your vibrations in the ground and will use their rattle to warn you of their presence. They do not always use their rattle, however, so be careful to always be aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t adventure alone. As with all types of emergencies, there is safety in numbers. Having someone with you out on a hike means better odds of responding to an emergency effectively.
• Wear boots and long pants. Open toed shoes such as sandals leave you little protection from a snakebite.
• Be wary of piles of rocks, brush, shrubs, and undergrowth where a snake could be sheltering. Avoid blindly reaching underneath these areas.
• Do not attempt to touch a snake, even if it appears dead.
• If hiking, stay on the designated trails. Snakes are more likely to be sheltering in underbrush and places that offer them more shelter from predators or the heat.
• Keep tents sealed shut when not in use to avoid snakes taking advantage of the shade.
• In the unfortunate event of a snakebite, seek medical attention immediately. As stated above, do not attempt to suck on the bite, use a device, or attempt to cut the bite in any way. Use the GOES Health App to use offline-capable assessment tools or for 24/7 live medical expert support. 
• If you have children, be sure to educate them about the dangers of snakebites and how to be cautious. Children are especially vulnerable to severe reactions to snakebites because of their smaller body mass. 

For more information on snakes and snakebites, be sure to use the library in the GOES Health App.