Snakes do not bite for fun or for revenge. They try to bite only if handled or if stepped on. Snakes do not possess any kind of complex intelligence which generates feelings of revenge or long term memory enabling them to remember peoples faces. Since many people even in cities have gardens around them and thick vegetation, there is a chance of one getting bitten sometime, accidentally. If this is a non-venomous bite, one need not panic at all, but then there is always a problem of identification, as most people do not know to identify a snake to be venomous. The following is the first aid in case of a snake bite, which should be done carefully , this will reduce the risk of a possibly life-threatening snake bite.

FIRST AID:

In case of a venomous snake bite or if you are uncertain about the identity of the snake, here are the first aid steps to follow:

1.Calm the patient down to slow down blood circulation and retarding the circulation of venom in the blood stream.

2.Quickly clean the site of the wound with some water and, if available some dettol.

3.If the bite is on the arms or the legs, tie a ligature (two fingers should just about fit under tourniquet) using soft cotton cloth or rope, above the wound on the upper arm (above the elbow)or upper leg(above the knee joint) in a single bone area.

4.If it takes more than 20 minutes to get to a doctor make sure to slightly loosen the ligature for a minute every 10 minutes.

5.Do not attempt to suck out venom as it can potentially place the first aid giver at risk and is ineffective at removing venom.

6.Do not attempt to make cuts around the site of the bite as it can cause infection and is also ineffective at removing venom.

7.Get to a doctor as quickly as possible and report the bite, with a description of the snake.

8.If possible, arrange for transportation so that the patient does not have to exert himself, thereby increasing blood circulation. Walking fast or running after a snake bite can prove fatal.

9.There is just one solution for any of the Big-four bites.... Poly valent anti venom. It works for all the four dangerous venomous snakes in India.