[pct-l] Snakebite

[Susan Alcorn]

As one who is always rather concerned (paranoid might be a more accurate description at times) about rattlesnakes, I was rather concerned about our latest section hike from Agua Dulce to Kennedy Meadows. On that stretch, we saw only one and it was across the trail and easily seen before reaching it. (Of course they are out there, but I'm trying to provide perspective).

I noted the list of "what to do" given and was surprised by item "Suck the venom out," attributed to the Center for Disease Control. When I went to the CDC website, I read "Do not suck out the venom." I'm confused, is there some other site that recommends this?

One of my strategies regarding rattlesnakes is to carry hiking poles and use them to probe vegetation along the trail. Of course we sometimes wonder if we are simply aggravating the snakes.

Susan Alcorn
> 
> For every one you see or hear you'll have walked by or
> nearly stepped on 
> hundreds
> 
> Keep your distance when you see one, chances are small
> you'll be 
> bitten....Unless of course you get in their face ;-), or
> F&^* with them.
> 
> If you do get bitten which is not likely...DON"T
> panic...There is a good 
> chance you have not been envenomated, wait a bit a see what
> happens... 
> Snake bite kits etc...are a waste of time and money and in
> fact do more 
> harm than good
> 
> The following is general in nature oriented more toward
> front country 
> with easy access to medical facilities. Backcountry /
> Wilderness 
> procedures  are  different.
> ---DISCLAIMER---
> I am not a Medical Doctor or Licensed to practice medicine
> this is from 
> one person to another and is an opinion you need to decide
> what you 
> would do.
> 
> BUT if I or a family member was in the backcountry or
> wilderness and 
> bitten. I would wait 15-20 minuets before deciding to
> evacuate or seek 
> medical attention for that matter, to see if signs I was
> envenomated 
> develop.
> 
> I would also try to determine if it was in fact a
> Rattlesnake...Gopher 
> snakes look a lot like a rattler...harmless to humans...Not
> to Gophers 
> though!
> 
> http://picasaweb.google.com/mattmaxon91040/2008_04_11/photo#5188120321030530482
> 
> 
>  From http://www.envenomated.com
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> As many as 50% of bites by rattlesnakes are 'dry
> bites' where no venom 
> is injected. Many folk remedies for snakebite came about
> because no 
> venom was injected to begin with.
> 
> Symptoms include, but are not limited to pain, severe
> swelling, 
> bruising, blistering, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal
> pain, 
> diarrhea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions, Yellow
> vision; 
> paraesthesia/numbness of digits, metallic taste in mouth, 
> fasciculations, and/or death.
> 
> Snake Envenomations
> 
> 1. I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice.
> 2. This is a constantly evolving article. Do not consider
> it as being 
> complete or comprehensive
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> According to the Centers For Disease Control, in case of a
> snakebite;
> 
> Do
> 
> * Do remain calm - Remember that there is an excellent
> chance for 
> survival, and in most cases there is plenty of time.
> 
> * Do suck and squeeze - as much venom as possible directly
> from the 
> wound. Venom is protein and can be taken orally with no ill
> effects.
> 
> * Do remove jewelry - Swelling can progress rapidly, so
> rings, watches 
> and bracelets can be a real problem.
> 
> * Do mark the time - The progress of symptoms (swelling) is
> the most 
> obvious indicator of the amount of envenomation.
> 
> * Do keep the stricken limb below the heart.
> 
> * Do get to a hospital as quickly as possible - Anti-venom
> serum is the 
> only sure cure for envenomation, and because some people
> are allergic to 
> horse serum it should only be given in a fully equipped
> medical facility.
> 
> * In case of a Coral bite, do pull the snake off
> immediately - Corals' 
> fangs are relatively small, and they have to work at
> getting venom into 
> the wound. Therefore, the faster the snake is removed the
> less venom is 
> injected.
> 
> * Do attempt to identify the offending snake - Positive
> identification 
> in the form of a dead snake is helpful, if convenient, but
> no time or 
> safety should be wasted since the symptoms will give
> medical personnel 
> an accurate diagnosis.
> 
> * Do get a tetanus shot.
> 
> 
> Don't
> 
> * Don't cut the wound - This almost always causes more
> damage than it's 
> worth.
> 
> * Don't use a tourniquet - This isolates the venom in a
> small area and 
> causes the digestive enzymes in the venom to concentrate
> the damage.
> 
> * Don't use alcohol orally - it speeds the heart and
> blood flow and 
> reduces the body's counter-acting ability.
> 
> * Don't use ice - Freezing the stricken limb has been
> found to be a 
> major factor leading to amputation.
> 
> Source: Centers For Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov
> 
> Trail90
> 
>