Best way to go about being bit?

[Zelg]

First, I apologize if this has been done to death. I did a quick forum search and saw a few threads but they were from a few years ago and I just wanted to make sure standards havent changed.

I dont own any venomous snakes and I only recently (past 2 years) began hiking a few times a week. The other day I encountered my first ever venomous snake in the wild (rattlesnake) at the beginning of my hike. What spooked me most was that its rattle was just layin there flat so I obviously didnt hear it before I came up on it, I just happened to be looking down at the trail.

Anyhow, I hike by myself and am usually gone for 2-3 hours. My obvious concern is if I'm at the back end of the trail and have no cellphone reception to call 911, what are the best steps to take if I am bit? I've read a bit of conflicting information, some saying snake bite kits are a must and the suction kinds save lives and other info says dont even bother with kits, get medical help asap while doing your best to keep your heart rate down. Then theres the combination of the two, applying a lightly constricted bandage to slow the blood flow but not so tight that it concentrates the venom and then take it easy and call for help when you can.

To be honest, it feels like I'm just SOL if I get bit and I'm an hour away from my car/cellphone reception but I guess I'd like to know whether or not I should bother with a snake bite kit. Not that its a big bother but I understand taking 5-10 minutes messing about with a kit takes time away from getting to a hospital.

Anyways, I feel like I'm rambling. Aside from the usual preventative measures of wearing pants, high boots, not picking up a rattlesnake etc... what should I do should the occasion arise?

[Zelg]

Probably should have titled this "best course of action when bit while out hiking". Im not trying to get bit

[SnakeAddiction]

I hike alone as well and go for mini treks (5-6hrs) often during the summer months. The first thing you need to know is what type of rattlesnakes are in your area. Some are more serious than others of course. Second, don't waste your time with the snake bite kits as they are pointless. Sucking out the venom is not affective because it only takes a small amount for the damage to occur. And there is no possible way you will be able to remove all the venom because you get swelling at the bite mark, and trying to suck something out of a swollen pin hole is next to impossible. haha.
If you get bit, you only want to secure the bite and try to stay calm. Before I go out, I try and mark or remember the last location I have signal. And I do have the park ranger and rescue service phone number with me. This way you only have to walk to that location and call for help.
Buying anti venom is really expensive and you have to keep it cold, and many vials of it for that matter.
So just try and keep your wits about and don't stick your limbs in areas you cannot see. I read an article once that said many rattlesnakes will not rattle upon seeing you, because somehow they figured out that somethings (people) will kill them on the spot when they hear them. I've run into many that will just lay there and hope camouflage will be enough. Which area do you go for hikes?

[Zelg]

Thanks for the response. I kinda figured its best to just try to stay calm until you can get help . I live in san luis obispo, ca (central coast) so im usually hiking in hills. The rattler i encounter was in montana de oro state park which is a few miles away on the coast. I made a thread in the herping forum with a pic in case youre interested.

[MDT]

You can't "buy" venom without a prescription. It is a UPS product. Further, you have no way of practical way of administering CroFab (or any anti venom for that matter) in the field. To add to that, unless you are willing to drop about $15,000 on a product you'll likely never use and let it expire, then cross that one off the list.

The kits, as stated, are really not helpful. There have been some studies done with them, and no real clinical impact has been noted. As SnakeAddiction said, *if* you are bitten, stop-- assess your situation, and expeditiously plan a route back to your car. If you have phone service, call EMS and have them meet you near your car or en route to hospital. You will typically have enough time to reach a medical facility given the typical North American pit viper bite. I have received several snake bite patients from small, outlying hospitals that took 2-3 hours to transfer to a tertiary care center for administration of anti venom, and they have done fine. Just whatever you do, stay calm, be methodical and deliberate in your extraction from the area and have a plan to enact if it should happen.

Added: I mentioned "the typical" NA pit viper. The same general advice applies across the board, but with a Mojave, SPR, coral snake bite, etc., obviously there are other concerns with regard to neurotoxicity. You prob want to accelerate your plan if there is a neuro component possibility.

[mclund]

MDT covered it great, but I wanted to add a few suggestions. Know what venomous snakes are native to the area you are hiking in. Being able to identify what bit you will save a lot of grief with the hospital staff. Most hospitals are not well prepared to deal with venomous snake bites. Anti-venin is a waste unless you are can administer it, but an epi-pen could save you if you go into shock. Assuming you have never been bit before you don't know how your body will react. Carry a pen or marker in your hiking bag. If you are bit, write down the time of the bite and what bit you. Don't worry about a piece of paper, just write it near the bite area. It is invaluable information if you arrive at the hospital unconscious.

[pdomensis]

Love the title. Best way I've seen (demonstrated by a not so smart local in my area) was to try to grab a rattler's tail and pull him out of a rock.

[Zelg]

^haha. Ya, not what i had in mind when i was tiredly thinking of a title.

Thanks for the great responses, all. Much appreciated.

[SSSSnakes]

Avoid the bite, go to Tongs.com and get some snake protective gear. Bite proof boots or leg guards would be advisable.

[Starbuck]

SSSSnakes brings up a really great point, its always a good idea to have a tong or stave with you to manipulate things not with your hands. Additionally, i always wear sturdy shoes and pants when I'm in wildlife areas, even in summer (and i am in florida). often i am actively looking for herps, so i bring a long snake hook with me as well.

[Zelg]

Will do! Went out hiking again today and even wearing jeans I just felt really exposed. Thanks for the link.

[jpsteele80]

The best way I know to get bit is to just agitate the snake lol, yeah they just about covered it

[StudentoReptile]

Always watch where you put your hands and feet, and the best snake-bite kit is:

cellphone, car keys and/or ideally, a friend to drive you to medical care.
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Other advice:

1.) Do not panic. Most snake bites are survivable, and you'll live.When you start panicking and hyperventilating, you'll just starting pumping that venom through your body faster, which is really not what you want.

2.) If possible, get a clear photo of the snake for authorities and medical staff to ID.

3.) Statistically, most snake bites occur on the forearms and hands. What does that tell you? [hint: most people are harassing or attempting to handle the snake in question!]

4.) Carry a sturdy walking stick or snake hook to "poke around" in places before stepping or placing your hands may allay more of your concerns of getting bit.
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I think if you heed all of the above advice, I doubt you will ever get bit in the field. It is generally people who are A.) handling the snake (herpers, biologists, etc) or B.) young males between 16-30, often under the influence of alcohol or drugs making ill decisions, that get bit.

[MDT]

In the ED, we have a saying that goes along with the bites we usually treat. Seems to hold true, at least in the grand State of Oklahoma....

Most bites occur occur because of "3 T's and a D"
Toothless, tattooed, testosterone and drunk.

[Zelg]

Lol. Well i have all my teeth, no tattooos, probably low test and i dont drink. Sounds like im a step ahead already. Thanks again for all the advice. I'll definitely put it to use.