This past summer, I had the pleasure of responding to two separate snakebite incidents (I am a street medic). In both cases the snake was a copperhead, the most common poisonous snake in this part of Virginia.

The correct procedure while waiting for help is counter intuitive; Call 911 first (everyone has a cell phone these days), keep the bite site (usually an extremity) as low as possible, way below the level of your heart and do not put ice on it. Ice hastens the tissue necrosis. You should transport to the closest facility unless there is one nearby that is known to keep a stock of anti-venin. We have two in the Richmond region.

Don't slash the bite site and for God's sake don't try to suck the poison out. That cowboy **** only works in the movies. You are more likely to cause an infection that is worse than the bite. Here in the U.S.A. snakebite is rarely fatal. You will however get so sick you feel as though you will have to get better to die.