It’s your worst nightmare: you’re alone in the woods, hiking a trail, and you come across a snake. The snake bites you and you have no idea what to do. Your chances of death by snakebite are close to 1 in 1,000, so you’re probably going to be okay. But, you still have to treat the bite, so what do you do? It’s easy; use your car keys.
How To Treat The Bite
Let’s say you’re one of the unlucky ones and you managed to be the victim of a snakebite. How do you treat it? You may have heard about various first aid remedies, including applying cold compresses or electric shock or sucking the venom out with your mouth. But none of these will actually work. No, instead, you need to use a tool everyone owns: car keys.
Adventure Survival Gear
No, don’t pick at the bite with the car keys. Instead, use the car keys to drive yourself (or better yet, have a friend drive you) to the hospital as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more pain you’ll experience. Take a quick photo of the snake to help doctors identify the species, and then get out of the area.
No, We’re Serious
We’re not joking. Get to the hospital as soon as possible. The venom in a snakebite can work itself into your bloodstream shortly after the attack; therefore, it’s best to treat it early on before the bite causes severe health problems.
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Once you’re at the hospital, doctors will be able to treat the bite. You’ll survive—as long as you seek medical treatment. Don’t try your own remedies. You might make things worse.
Ways To Avoid Snakes
You love to go hiking. That’s great! But, you need to be careful. There are three ways to avoid snakebites. First, keep your distance. Always know your surroundings and watch for any snakes on the hiking trail.
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Next, don’t antagonize the snake. If you encounter a snake, don’t walk towards it or try to touch it. Again, always keep your distance.
Finally, cover your skin while you’re hiking. Wear protective clothing with long sleeves and pants, and always wear close-toed shoes. You never know what you’ll encounter while you’re hiking, so it’s best to be dress smart.