Snake bite kit
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- Hiking first aid kit with gauze and tape. Best for: Trail and outdoor trips. See options on Amazon
- Sterile gauze pads, individually wrapped. Best for: Topping up an outdoor kit. See options on Amazon
- Waterproof permanent marker. Best for: Marking swelling and time. See options on Amazon
What snake bite kits contain
Search for a snake bite kit and most results are suction pumps sold as venom extractors, often bundled with bee sting tools. NIOSH's first aid guidance for venomous snakebites lists trying to suck out the venom among the things not to do. So this guide does not recommend a suction kit. Instead, it covers what NIOSH says to do and the ordinary first aid supplies that support those steps.
What to do after a snakebite
- Get emergency care fast. NIOSH says seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible to start antivenom if needed and stop irreversible damage. Do not wait for symptoms.
- Do not drive yourself. A snakebite can make you dizzy or pass out.
- Photograph the snake from a safe distance if possible, which may speed treatment.
- Keep calm.
- While waiting: lie or sit with the bite in a neutral position of comfort, remove rings and watches before swelling starts, wash the bite with soap and water, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
- Mark the swelling. Draw a line at the leading edge of tenderness or swelling on the skin and write the time beside it.
MedlinePlus adds: call 911, and if possible call ahead so the emergency room can have antivenom ready. Restrict movement and keep the bitten area at heart level, loosely splint or sling it, and do not let the person over-exert; carry them if needed. Do not give the person anything by mouth. The national Poison Help hotline is 1-800-222-1222. For a loose splint, see our SAM splint guide.
What not to do
| Do not | NIOSH guidance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Suck out venom | Do not try to suck out the venom | CDC NIOSH |
| Cut the wound | Do not slash the wound with a knife or cut it in any way | CDC NIOSH |
| Tourniquet or shock | Do not apply a tourniquet, electric shock or folk therapies | CDC NIOSH |
| Ice or water | Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water | CDC NIOSH |
| Alcohol or pain relievers | Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen | CDC NIOSH |
| Handle the snake | Never handle a venomous snake, even a dead one or its head | CDC NIOSH |
A tourniquet is a tool for severe limb bleeding, not snakebite; see our tourniquet guide for when it fits.
What to carry instead
The supplies that match NIOSH's steps are simple and already belong in a hiking or outdoor kit:
- A phone to call for emergency help and photograph the snake from a distance.
- Clean water and soap or wipes to wash the bite; see our antiseptic wipes guide.
- Sterile gauze and tape for a clean, dry dressing; see our gauze pads guide.
- A pen or marker to mark the edge of swelling and the time.
- An emergency blanket to keep the person warm and calm while waiting; see our emergency blanket guide.
See our travel first aid kit guide for a full trip kit.
Preventing bites outdoors
NIOSH estimates that 7,000 to 8,000 people in the United States are bitten by venomous snakes each year, and about 5 die. Its prevention advice for people who work or spend time outdoors:
- Wear boots and long pants, and leather gloves when handling brush and debris.
- Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake may be hiding.
- Stay away from tall grass and piles of leaves when possible.
- Do not touch or handle any snake.
- Know that snakes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk and in warm weather.
NIOSH notes rattlesnakes are found across the United States, copperheads in eastern states as far west as Texas, cottonmouths in the Southeast around water, and coral snakes in the South. Workers should tell a supervisor right away after a bite.
Bee stings are different
Many snake bite kits are sold as combo bee sting kits. Stings and bites need different first aid, and anyone with a known severe allergy to stings should follow the plan from their doctor. For itchy bug bites, see our hydrocortisone cream guide. For any snakebite, the answer is the same: emergency care, not a suction pump.
What to look for when you buy
Hiking first aid kit with gauze and tape
Best for: Trail and outdoor trips
NIOSH says cover a snakebite with a clean, dry dressing; a kit keeps gauze and tape on hand.
Watch out: Skip kits built around suction extractors.
See options on AmazonSterile gauze pads, individually wrapped
Best for: Topping up an outdoor kit
Clean, dry dressings are part of NIOSH's first aid steps for a bite.
Watch out: Do not wrap tightly; NIOSH advises against tourniquets.
See options on AmazonWaterproof permanent marker
Best for: Marking swelling and time
NIOSH says to mark the leading edge of swelling on the skin and write the time beside it.
Watch out: Keep it in the kit so it is there when needed.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do snake bite kits work?
- NIOSH says not to try to suck out venom, which is what most kits are designed to do.
- What should you do if bitten by a snake?
- Get emergency medical care as soon as possible, keep calm, remove rings, wash the bite and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
- Should I put a tourniquet on a snakebite?
- No. NIOSH says do not apply a tourniquet.
- Should I ice a snakebite?
- No. NIOSH says do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
- Can I take ibuprofen after a snakebite?
- NIOSH says not to take pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, or drink alcohol.
Sources
- Venomous Snakes (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH
- Snake bites (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine