The best way to avoid getting bitten by a venomous snake is to not go looking for one in the first place.

Much like eating well and exercising to feel better, this avoidance approach is backed by experts — and, most likely, some who just dislike the scaly critters.

A new study from researchers at the University of Florida analyzed 20 years of snakebite cases seen at the university’s largest hospital, shedding light on common behaviors related to the bites.

The team analyzed 546 de-identified patient records from 2002 to 2022 and highlighted notable conclusions — for instance, that a third of the snakebites analyzed were preventable and caused by people intentionally engaging with wild snakes.

About 78% of the snakebites occurred in adult men while they were handling wild snakes, and the majority of patients were bitten on their hands and fingers. Around 10% attempted outdated self-treatments no longer recommended by doctors — like sucking out the venom.

Notably, it took those bitten over an hour on average to travel from where the bite occurred to the hospital, suggesting that some underestimated the severity of the bite, or were unsure of next steps.

So here they are:

If you’re bitten by a snake, call 911 and move away from the snake. If it’s safe, snap a photo, which will help doctors pinpoint the right antivenom.

Then stay still and keep the bitten area at or above your heart. Remove any jewelry or tight-fitting clothing, cover the bite with a clean dressing, and monitor yourself for pain and swelling around the bite site, as well as changes in breathing, heart rate and alertness.

And keep calm. Help is on the way.