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How to protect yourself from a snake bite
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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With the onset of warm weather, people seek to relax in nature, go to the forests, closer to the rivers. At this time, one should not forget about the numerous dangers that lie in wait for a person in the thickets and tall grass. Poisonous plants, ticks and snakes can cause irreparable damage to health. Without timely help, death may occur.
Find out in advance where the snakes live in the place you are going to. This will help you determine which areas to avoid. Also find out what types of snakes are local; perhaps none of them are poisonous.
To ensure your trip to forests where snakes may live is safe and without injury, wear long pants and high boots made of very strong thick leather or rubber. Most snakes will not be able to bite through these materials.
Stay alert. Carefully examine the area you are about to walk through. Avoid holes, areas with tall grass and fallen trees. Never reach in with your hand, take a long stick and push the branches away with it.
Do not lift or turn over old snags, and do not sit on the ground. Snakes are most dangerous in the spring, after hibernation. These reptiles love to bask in the sun, so carefully inspect boulders and stumps before sitting on them.
Collect firewood in advance, in the morning or afternoon, because snakes are most active at night. Your actions and noise can disturb the reptile, and since you cannot see it, it will be difficult for you to assess the situation.
A fire scares away almost all animals, so when you stop for the night, be sure to light a fire from the brushwood you have prepared in advance. Rub yourself with betony and scatter this herb around the camp; this plant scares away snakes.
If you see a snake, freeze and do not move. Do not turn your back to it, but very slowly begin to move away. Do not make any sudden movements, then the reptile will not notice you. Snakes attack a person only if they feel a threat from him, so do not approach the animal. The reptile itself will leave the road.
Do not sneak up on the snake or try to surprise it, your actions may provoke an attack. Never hit or try to kill the animal, this is when it will try to bite you. If you see a dead snake, do not approach it. Very often these reptiles only pretend to be dead.
You should be able to distinguish a poisonous snake from a harmless one. Dangerous reptiles are usually brightly colored, which will allow you to notice one in time and avoid meeting it. You can distinguish a poisonous snake by its characteristic hissing or crackling sound. Demonstratively aggressive behavior is also typical for dangerous reptiles.
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