Those movie tough guys may be great at extricating guns out of bad guys' hands with bullwhips, but it turns out they know nothing about snakes.

Doctors say cutting and sucking venom out of a snakebite- a favorite onscreen tactic- is actually one of the worst things to do. Instead, experts say hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone else who's bitten by a snake should stay calm and get to an emergency room for antivenin as quickly as possible.

"The longer you go without antivenom treatment, the more tissue damage can occur and the greater your risk of severe symptoms or- in rare cases- even death," said Dr. Russ Kerns of Carolinas Medical Center and Carolinas Poison Center in North Carolina. "Everyone, especially those living in an area with rattlesnakes, copperheads or water moccasins, should know the location of the closest hospital that stocks antivenom. And remember, not all hospitals do."

Every year about 45,000 people are bitten by snakes in the United States. While only about 7,500 of those bites turn out to be venomous, resulting in an even smaller figure of about 15 deaths annually, it's worth taking precautions whenever hitting the outdoors.

Kerns offers these tips:

•Stay alert. The simplest thing to do is listen for the sound of rattlesnakes and stay out of tall grass and reeds to avoid venomous rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins. Also, be cautious when picking up rocks or firewood, or when reaching into the garden.

•Keep safe. If a snake bites, don't waste time trying to capture or kill it. Doing so often results in a second bite, and, contrary to another movie myth, one doesn't need to identify the type of snake that attacked for treatment.

For those who can't get to a hospital immediately, wash and immobilize the affected area and keep it lower than the heart. Someone with a cellphone should call the local poison center at (800) 222-1222.

•Dress smart. People traveling through areas with snakes should wear high-cut boots and long pants for protection.

•What not to do: In addition to not trying to suck out the venom, don't cut the affected area. This can worsen tissue damage. Also, ice compresses and tourniquets aren't recommended and may, in fact, cause additional harm.

It may sound like the stuff of horror movies, but Kerns said even dead snakes can bite. "They retain their bite reflex, so it's always best to just keep away," he said.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.