Under the shock and pain caused by her first-ever snakebite, Jin remembered her anxiety of being in a mountainous area, 25 minutes away for the nearest hospital in Taipei City.

With the help of her husband, she then walked back home and called the hospital for information.

Although she was fine for the moment, she worried that her condition might deteriorate quickly.

"I was very lucky," she said, noting that the young Bamboo Viper, which bit her by surprise, was eventually too young to have caused her any serious harm.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) under the authority of the Department of Health, nearly 500 hundred people in Taiwan encounter the same kind of experience as Jin Hua each year.

However, up to 10 percent of the victims of snakebites, especially in remote areas, are fatally wounded by the powerful venom secreted by the dangerous snakes, such as the Taiwan Banded Krait, the Tortoise Snake or the Chinese Cobra.

"Internal bleeding and paralysis of the respiratory system are the two main causes of death resulting from snakebites," CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw said.

But, Chou advised victims of snakebites against emulating cowboy movies.

"Don't cut the wound open and try to suck the venom out... It doesn't work!" he added.

On the contrary, he stressed that victims should calm down, take off their rings and necklaces, and apply a light tourniquet right above their wounded arm or leg, while waiting for the emergency rescuers.

Even if the waiting is hard to bear, he strongly advised against gulping down any alcohol for the occasion.

"Just calm down," he insisted.

Chou explained that local scientists have been studying antidotes to snakebites since the Japanese occupation era.

"Although some researchers were often bitten in the process, they have designed antidotes for most of the venom types encountered in Taiwan."

Yet, he made clear that antidotes must be administrated by trained doctors to work efficiently.

Chou pointed out that nature lovers must wear appropriate clothing while hiking in mountainous areas, including hiking boots and long pants.

"A walking stick is also imperative in the meadows," he said.

Chen Kuo-yen, a bamboo shoots farmer in Peitou area, denounced the popular bias against "aggressive" snakes. Based on his long experience, he emphasized that "snakes are afraid of humans."

"They immediately escape if they have enough space for it," he explained.

Chen noted that venomous snakes such as the Taiwan famous Hundred Pacer or Sharp-Nosed Pit Viper have now become endangered species in the region.

"My grand-uncle was the only person in my family to have been killed by snakebite. It was a long time ago," he said.

Call emergency rescuers in case of snakebites: 911; for further information on snakes, you can also contact with the CDC by phone: 1922 or visit its website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/