If you think someone has been bitten by a snake in the UK, treat it as a medical issue rather than trying to identify the snake first. The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E immediately. The person who was bitten should not drive themselves.
What to do after a suspected bite
Follow the NHS snake-bite guidance: keep calm, keep the bitten area as still as possible, and loosen clothing or remove jewellery near the bite in case of swelling. Follow the emergency call handler's instructions. A safe, distant photograph may help clinicians, but do not approach, catch or kill the snake.
Do not cut or suck the bite, apply a tight band or tourniquet, or take aspirin or ibuprofen. Do not delay seeking help while deciding whether symptoms look serious. The NHS advises getting every suspected snake bite checked.
Make it easier to get help from a walk or overnight stop
Before leaving the van, know how you would describe your location. Save the parking location, route and a map that remains available without mobile data. Think about access for help, rather than assuming the nearest road on a screen can be reached directly across the landscape.
If an incident occurs, explain where you are and what happened to the emergency service. Avoid starting a self-directed evacuation or a drive that conflicts with their instructions. Tell them about any difficulty reaching the person.
Reduce avoidable encounters
The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust's adder advice recommends keeping to well-used paths, wearing suitable shoes or boots, watching foot and hand placement, and giving any snake plenty of space. Do not try to move a snake off a path; take a different route if you cannot pass safely.
Think about this when choosing somewhere to sit, collecting belongings from the ground or stepping over vegetation. A close-up photograph is not worth creating a bite risk. Keep children from approaching or handling wildlife.
Dogs and other pets
The human guidance above is not veterinary treatment advice. PDSA treats suspected snake bites in dogs as an emergency. Contact a vet urgently and follow their instructions. Do not give a pet human medicines or attempt a home treatment from a travel article.
Keep the useful information accessible
Bookmark the NHS guidance before a trip and make sure travelling companions know how to call for help and describe your location. A first aid kit does not provide a home treatment for snake venom, and this page does not recommend a “snake-bite gadget”.
Sources checked on 25 October 2026. In an active incident, follow the emergency service or treating clinician's instructions.
