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Fwd: [pct-l] Rattlers?



Jim Sugg has the record for the most units of anti-venom ever given 
at poison control (UCSD) in San Diego county.  He was leading a group 
down the San Diego River from its headwaters near Julian.  A huge 
rattler sank its teeth into Jim after he stepped on it.  Jim thought 
it was cholla (he didn't look down).  Soon the other hikers had his 
attention.  They were about half-way on the trip.  They sent the 
fastest ahead to get help, but Jim decided to go on hiking since he 
figured the terrain would preclude rescue.  I believe he hiked for 
five more hours before help came.  This was about 15 years ago.  Jim 
died two years ago at 84.  He had one lung.  He got into hiking for 
health reasons.

My personal viewpoint is to get medical help within 24 hours.  From 
all the reports I've seen I've never heard of a human dying before 
then.
http://wellness.ucdavis.edu/safety_info/poison_prevention/poison_book/rattlesnake_bites.html#first_aid
One thing that is a NO NO is NEVER JUMP OVER A SNAKE!  Annoy the 
snake so it moves away being very very careful that you are quite far 
away.  Snakes can move quickly.  I had this problem last summer.  I 
rolled a couple of rocks by the snake and it went up the hillside.
Capt Bivy






>
>Here's a thought I had yesterday after leaping over a rattler that 
>was lying across the trail. If I am hiking alone, should I carry a 
>snake bite kit? This is a bold statement, but I think this hasn't 
>been discussed here before. What I've been able to figure out is 
>that:
>Pros:
>- Safety
>- Better state of mind
>- Etc.
>
>Cons:
>- Do they actually work?
>- How much do they actually weight?
>- Can I just manage to hike out after being bitten if I taken enough 
>pain killer?
>- How bad (really) are rattler bites?
>
>Is there anybody on this list that has ACTUALLY been bitten by one? 
>I'd really like to know what the experience was, if they had the 
>kit, wish they did, etc.
>
>-moose
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