Slither and Deliver: The Right Bandage in the Wilderness.

Rhys Dobbs
Aug 15
3 min read

When most people think of venomous snakes, they picture the wilds of Australia or Indiana Jones legging it through the jungle — not the British countryside.

But we do have a venomous snake in the UK: the adder (Vipera berus).

Before you start wearing knee-high boots to Tesco, relax — bites are rare. But if you’re out hiking, working, or running a Forest School, it’s worth knowing what to do… and what not to do.

Meet the Adder

Small, stocky, usually 60–80cm long, with a distinctive zigzag down the back and a V on the head. Think of it as the high-vis vest of the snake world.

You’ll find them basking in the sun between March and October, mostly on heathland, coastal paths, and forest edges.

Good news? They’re shy and don’t want trouble. Bad news? If you step on one, they might feel differently.

How Dangerous Are They?

For most healthy adults, adder bites are painful but rarely life-threatening. Expect swelling, bruising, and maybe nausea or dizziness.

The bigger risk is for:

Children
Older adults
Anyone with certain medical conditions

And yes — allergic reactions can happen.

First Aid for Snake Bites

1. Snake Bite: Pressure Immobilisation Bandaging

Snake bites in the UK are rare — unless you’ve really annoyed an adder — but abroad, they can be a genuine hazard.

For most venomous bites (Australia, I’m looking at you), the gold standard is the

Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) and this is what we teach at Reactive Medical.

Applying the Survival Snake bandage in Glenmore - Scotland Reactive medical 2025 — Applying the Survival Snake bandage in Glenmore - Scotland *Reactive medical 2025*

How it works:

Use a broad elastic bandage - we favour the bandage above as it's multiuse!
Wrap firmly over the bite site, then the whole limb from toes/fingers upwards
Our aim here is to turn the rectangles into squares (like a game)
Immobilise the limb with a splint
Do not remove the bandage until professional help takes over

The aim here is to slow venom travel, not create a tourniquet worthy of a pirate film. If fingers or toes start turning interesting shades of blue — ease off.

Pro tip: No snake bite bandage? A good crepe bandage works fine — just don’t get creative with duct tape unless you really want to upset the casualty later.

If someone gets bitten:

Stay calm — panic speeds up venom spread.
Call 999 immediately — every snake bite in the UK is a medical emergency. Provide a location What 3 Words or Grid Reference.
Keep them still — immobilise the bitten limb, ideally below heart level.
Remove rings, watches, or tight clothing before swelling kicks in.
Adopt the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (Above)
No tourniquets — you’re not in an action movie.
Remember your ABC's and monitor

What Not to Do

❌ Don’t suck out the venom — you’ll just get a mouthful of bacteria.
❌ Don’t put ice on it — you’re not making a smoothie.
❌ Don’t try to catch or kill the snake — it’s already proved it can fight back.

Preventing Snake Bites

Stick to clear paths — long grass is adder real estate.
Wear boots and long trousers where snakes might be.
Never pick one up (alive or dead).
Teach kids the rule: look, don’t touch.

Final Thoughts

Adder bites in the UK are rare — and usually more of a painful inconvenience than a life-ending drama — but knowing how to respond can make a world of difference.

If you want to learn practical, hands-on outdoor first aid — including snake bite management, splinting, and emergency care — join our Outdoor First Aid course.

📖 Bonus: Our Wilderness First Aid Handbook has an entire section on snake bites, plus a lot more.