Snake bite first aid in the backcountry, offline on iPhone
Last updated 2 June 2026
If you are bitten where there is no signal, the reference has to already be on your phone. Ferdinands Outdoor Companion (FOC) includes a dedicated offline snake-bite article in its first-aid section: it walks through the four steps in order, stay calm and lie down, document the time and bite location, immobilise the limb without manipulating the wound, then call emergency services and transport the person lying down. It also lists the things you must not do, such as a tourniquet, cutting, sucking, ice, or alcohol. It is free, fully offline, and a reference, not a substitute for training or emergency care.
What FOC's snake-bite article covers
The article is honest about the risk: in Central Europe a snake bite is rarely life-threatening, but it has to be taken seriously, and calm, considered action matters. It names the native venomous snakes (the common adder, asp viper, horned viper, and sand viper) and notes that only the adder is more common. It then lays out what to watch for so you can judge severity.
- Local symptoms: swelling, pain, redness, and bite marks.
- General symptoms: nausea, dizziness, and circulatory problems.
- Severe cases: difficulty breathing, shock, and impaired consciousness.
- Timeline: symptoms can develop over hours, so a person who seems fine still needs watching.
The four steps, and what not to do
FOC gives the first-aid response as four numbered steps. One, stay calm: reassure the person, lay them down, minimise movement, and remove jewellery. Two, document: note the time and the bite location, and if you safely can, identify the snake with a photo. Three, wound care: do not manipulate the bite site, do not apply a tourniquet, immobilise the affected limb. Four, transport: call emergency services, get to a hospital as quickly as possible, and keep the person lying down.
Just as important is the list of dangerous measures the article tells you to avoid: do not suck out the bite, do not apply a tourniquet, do not cool or ice it, do not cut into the wound, and do not give alcohol. The prevention section rounds it out, sturdy footwear, stay on paths, do not reach into bushes or grass, do not provoke a snake, and move away if you spot one. All of it lives on the device, so it reads in airplane mode. See also the offline first-aid reference and hypothermia first aid.
How it compares
| What helps | FOC | Searching online |
|---|---|---|
| The four steps, in order | Yes | Maybe |
| What not to do (tourniquet, cutting, ice) | Yes | Scattered |
| Symptoms and how fast they appear | Yes | Maybe |
| Works with no signal | Yes | No |
| No ads or tracking | Yes | Varies |
| Reads in DE, EN, DA | Yes | Varies |
Frequently asked questions
Does FOC have a snake-bite first-aid article that works offline?
Yes. FOC includes a dedicated snake-bite article in its first-aid section, stored on the device, so it reads in airplane mode with no signal.
What does FOC say to do for a snake bite?
Four steps: stay calm and lie the person down, document the time and bite location, immobilise the limb without touching the wound, then call emergency services and transport lying down.
What does FOC say not to do for a snake bite?
Do not suck out the bite, do not apply a tourniquet, do not cool or ice it, do not cut into the wound, and do not give alcohol.
Are snake bites dangerous in Central Europe?
The article notes they are rarely life-threatening there, with only the adder more common, but they must still be taken seriously. Symptoms can develop over hours.
Can the app replace emergency care?
No. FOC is a reference to help you act calmly and remember the steps. Always call emergency services and get to a hospital when you can.
Is FOC free?
Yes. FOC is free, with no ads, no in-app purchases, and no tracking.
Related
Sources
This is general reference, not medical, safety, or professional advice. Skills like first aid and foraging carry real risk. In a real emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 911 in the US).