[pct-l] snakes

[pct@meinfelder.com (Edmond Meinfelder)]

At 07:31 AM 4/17/2002 -0600, Marge Prothman wrote:
>Am just curious:
>
>In the California section of the PCT, especially the southern part,
>how many hikers carry something for snake bites and if so what do
>you carry.

Nothing for me. I hear the most effective treatment is antivenin from an 
emergency room. Suction devices are dubious as are the other methods 
showcased in Hollywood movies.

According to http://www.rmru.org/faq52.htm you're chances of survival are 
greater than 99% if you can arrive at an emergency room promptly.

According to 
http://wellness.ucdavis.edu/safety_info/poison_prevention/poison_book/rattlesnake_bites.html#which, 
most bites occur when people handle snakes. The page goes on to suggest 
avoiding snakes and giving them the right of way.

If you are going to be afraid of snakes, I wouldn't fear rattlers in 
general, so much as the Mojave Green Rattlesnake which has a virulent 
neurotoxin able to cause respiratory arrest and paralysis. The Green also 
has a reputation for being aggressive, but it sounds like a rumor. The only 
other snake in North America with a neurotoxin is, I believe, the Coral 
Snake. The nice thing about pit vipers (which rattlers are) is, many bites 
(~20%) on humans tend to be dry (no venom), perhaps they don't consider 
people worth eating.

I'm more worried about getting hit by a car or hypothermia than I am about 
snake bites. If the fear persists, explain to a co-hiker your concerns and 
ask to hike behind them. In the odd chance they get bit, you could go for 
help. I have a fear of poisonous snakes, but if someone came to me with 
such an honest concern I'd take lead.

>I think I am more aware of poison oak and ticks then snakes, but am
>wondering if I should include something in my first aid kit.

There are a lot of interesting books and websites on the topic. You might 
enjoy doing your own research. This is the sort thing I'd hate to give 
advice upon. If I told you to hike without a snake bite kit and you got bit 
and fell ill, I'd feel terrible.