How-To Guide for Danger Noodles: Don’t Become a Snakey Stat

By Jen McMonigle | September 17, 2025 |

If you poll any given group of people, you will find that approximately 33% of them fear snakes.

If you poll any given group of snakes, you will find that approximately 100% of those snakes fear humans.

Despite snakes being a very common phobia, death and serious injury from snake bites are very rare.  Less than .01% of human deaths are snake related. Each year there are around 5 deaths due to snake bite in the US and 138,000 deaths globally. Conversely, humans account for approximately 22% of all reptile deaths each year. So, try to remember that, while scary, snake bites are very seldom fatal in the United States.

As with many wilderness first aid issues, our first step in treating close encounters with the sharp parts of a danger noodle is PREVENTION. The best treatment for fanged spaghetti is to avoid entanglement.

Know where to look.
- Snakes are ectotherms, which means they have to get their heat from outside sources. On warm days, look for them in sunny spots, like rock outcroppings, wide paths, roads, etc. On cooler days, they might be hunkered down in piles of rock, wood, or leaves.
Leave them be.
- Just like you, snakes feel threatened if someone grabs them suddenly. Unlike you, they don’t have fists or feet, so they fight back with their fangs.
Wear protective footwear.
- If you plan to explore off-trail or paths less traveled (a la Robert Frost), consider wearing boots and thicker pants. While around 44% of snakebites in the US do occur from the elbow down (especially in males), an unsurprising majority happen on a lower extremity.

However, nature does not cede control to us, and, despite your best efforts, you or an adventure buddy might misstep and find yourself with a new, unrequested piercing. What next?

TREATMENT

Remain calm.
- Avoid making things worse. See list of NOPES for nope ropes below.
Look for signs of envenomation.
- Signs of envenomation include the following:
  - Swelling
  - Bruising
  - Pain
  - Bleeding from bite site
  - Nausea and/or vomiting
  - Dizziness, light-headed, and loss of consciousness/fainting
- Even if you were bitten by a venomous snake, it may not have envenomated you.
 Remove any potential constrictions, including rings, watches, tight clothing, etc.
Clean the wound with water and apply a gauze dressing.
 Evacuate to antivenin. 
- Call the hospital in advance so they can prepare for treatment.
- Antivenin (aka antivenom) contains antibodies which neutralize the effects of the venom. It is most effective if administered promptly — ideally within 6 hours of the snake bite, as it stops further injury but does not reverse any damage already done.
Monitor for anaphylaxis. Administer epinephrine if needed.

List of NOPES for Nope Ropes

DO NOT kill the snake. Dangerous for the snake, and dangerous for any nearby humans. Instead, move away from the snake, avoid creating more patients, and focus on treating the previously established patient. Dead snakes, including decapitated heads, CAN still envenomate. Definitely DO NOT bring a snake to the hospital, dead or alive. If you are able to SAFELY get a picture to identify the snake, this can help determine treatment.
DO NOT cut the wound and attempt to suck the venom. In addition to being completely ineffective (see a summary of studies done here), this leads to more tissue damage and potential infection.
DO NOT apply a tourniquet. This restricts the venom to a smaller area and could result in even more tissue damage.
DO NOT apply ice. Constricts blood vessels thereby decreasing blood flow and concentrating the venom to a prey-sized area. See tourniquet reasons above. Ice also does not deactivate the venom.
DO NOT use a taser/electricity. Does not neutralize venom and can cause further tissue damage and pain.