Fort Worth Star-Telegram
What to do if a rattlesnake bites you when you don’t have cell service in Texas
By Brayden Garcia
June 16, 2025 12:33 PM
Texas has a plethora of trails to cross, mountains to climb and sights to see.
While you will see plenty of people outdoors, you will may also contend with a high number of critters on your hike. Chief among the trail dwellers are snakes, which are plentiful in Texas.
Say you’re walking and a fanged friend takes a bite out of your leg. You reach for your phone to call for help, but to no avail — all you see is “no service” atop your screen.
How can you call for help with no cell service? Here’s what to know.
Can you call for help with no cell service?
Yes, there’s a way to send an SOS with certain smartphones.
Users with the iPhone 14, 15 or 16 are able to contact emergency services via satellite, according to Apple.
Earlier iPhone models below a 14 are not able to use this function. Here’s how it works:
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• Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the screen shows two options: “Slide to power off” and “SOS emergency call.” Slide the SOS option.
• Or, you can make an emergency SOS call by pressing the side (lock, unlock) button five times. Go to settings, click on emergency SOS, then turn on “call with five button presses.”
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After the emergency call ends, the iPhone will alert your emergency contacts with a text message, according to Apple. The iPhone will also send your current location for a period of time to your emergency contacts.
For Android users, you will need to have the Android 12 operating software to make an emergency call with no service.
Users can setup emergency SOS by opening the settings app and clicking on the “safety and emergency” tab. You will then find instructions on how to setup the service, according to Google.
Here’s how it works:
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• Press the power button five times or more and either hold inside the red circle for three seconds or wait for the automatic countdown to begin the call.
• After you start an emergency call, other emergency actions will begin, such as sharing your location with your emergency contacts. However, you can only share real-time location with emergency contacts with a Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection.
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What kind of snakes are in Texas?
Texas is home to more than 105 different snake species and subspecies. Of that number, only 15 snakes are considered dangerous to humans, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Despite more than a dozen dangerous snakes, the department says lightning strikes cause more deaths in Texas than venomous snake bites. This is due to an increasing awareness of snakes around the state, along with improved first aid and medical practices.
Some of the most venomous snakes found in Texas are copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. Venom from these snakes are certainly harmful to humans, but most of the time are rarely fatal.
What should you do after a snake bite?
Here are a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
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• Seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.
• Do not drive to the hospital, as you could become dizzy or pass out from the bite.
• From a safe distance, take a photo of the snake to identify what species it is. This could speed up treatment options.
• Apply first aid while waiting for a ride to the hospital: Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position. Remove rings and watches before swelling starts. Wash the bite with soap and water. Cover the bite with a dry, clean dressing. Mark the leading edge of tenderness/swelling on the skin, along with the time.
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Here are a few things you shouldn’t do after a snake bite:
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• Do not try to pick up or trap the snake.
• Do not wait for symptoms to appear, seek medical attention immediately.
• Do not apply a tourniquet, electric shock or folk therapies.
• Do not slash or cut the wound with a knife in any way.
• Do not try to suck out the snake venom.
• Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
• Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller, or take pain relievers.
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