A copperhead bit you in Ohio & you have no cell service? Follow these tips to survive
Being bitten by a copperhead should not be taken lightly in any circumstance. However, being bitten by one while alone and with no cell phone service is even more urgent.
So, what should you do? Here are some tips from the experts to survive until help arrives:
Identify the snake
Copperhead snakes have various brown markings and are easily camouflaged in wooded areas. “They are thick snakes with keeled scales. The background color is some shade of tan or brown, with darker brown hourglass or ‘Hershey’s Kiss’ shapes overlaid.”
All in all, note the color of the snake and markings. Also, note the time that the bite happened. If your camera still has power, take a photo of the snake to confirm the species once you’re rescued.
Stay calm and remove constrictive items
“Stay still and calm,” Mayo Clinic experts said. “Remove any jewelry, watches or tight clothing before swelling starts.”
Clean it if you can & remain neutral
If you can, wash the bite with soap and water and get a clean, dry dressing on the area. Another tip is to sit or lie down and make the bite level with the heart.
Don’t do these things
The Mayo Clinic advises against the following:
- Don’t use a tourniquet or apply ice.
- Don’t cut the bite or try to remove the venom.
- Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol.
- Don’t take pain-relieving medicine, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Doing so can increase your risk of bleeding.
- Don’t try to catch or trap the snake.
Check your phone again
If you have an iPhone 14 or later, you may be able to get help using the emergency SOS setting. Here’s how it works:
First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services. Even if your normal cellular carrier network isn’t available, you might be able to make the call.
If your call won’t connect, you can text emergency services via satellite. Certain local emergency numbers require iOS 16.4 or later to connect to emergency services via satellite.
- Tap Emergency Text via Satellite.
- If you need help but aren’t in an emergency, you can choose to contact a roadside assistance provider.
- You can also go to Messages to text the local emergency number, then tap Emergency Services.
Tap Report Emergency.
Using simple taps, answer the emergency questions to best describe your situation.
Get to a hospital as soon as you can
“Many emergency rooms have antivenom drugs, which may help you,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 3:37 PM with the headline "A copperhead bit you in Ohio & you have no cell service? Follow these tips to survive."
