Rattle Snake Bites - Useful Information

[Seanz0rz]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/resources/91-guide/840-rattlesnake-bites-pathology-and-treatment-of.html

expedition portal has a great article on rattle snake bites.

since most of us live and play in snake country, this advise is important.



What does one do if you are bit be a rattlesnake?

• Keep the bitten area still, don't flail the injured area around.

• Stay calm, this may sound difficult to do, but remember that if you stay calm and get to treatment as quickly as possible, the injury will be much easier to treat.

• Remove any constricting jewelry or constricting clothing as swelling will occur and you do not want jewelry constricting blood flow to extremities.

• Keep the area of the snake bite lower than the heart.

• Wash the bite area, which is considered a wound, to help reduce the chance of infection.

• An elastic bandage can be applied to slow the spread of venom through the lymphatic system. When wrapping a bandage for this purpose always begin the wrap at the distal end (point furthest away from the heart) and wrap towards the heart. Do not wrap too tight or in too small of sections, make them long wraps. Always check the extremities for feeling, warmth and color and continue to do so until the patient or you have arrived at the hospital.

• Get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1 and or the Poison Control Center 1.800.122.1222.

• If you can snap a picture of the snake on your cell phone - without occurring any further harm! do so as this can help EMS to identify which species the snake may be.

• Try and obtain a brief history of the patient if you are a responder. Have they had exposure to antivenin before? Are they allergic to any medications? Do they have a history of heart or kidney malfunction?

• Monitor the airway and vital signs.

• Treat for shock. Don’t try to diagnose shock in the case of a rattlesnake bite, just treat for it in any case. It can’t hurt. Here’s how. Lay the victim down, raise his or her feet (but not the limb that was bitten) and cover him or her with something warm like a sleeping bag or jacket.



some other important tips: check under vehicle if it has been sitting around while you were exploring. carrying a stick or walking staff is useful to check behind tires, or just kick the tires. rattle snakes should rattle, but dont always!

do you have any other tips? post them up here!

[04 Rocko Taco]

Carry a .410 :hillbill:



...On a more serious note, here on the east coast, we have a LOT of snakes, a lot less rattlers than you guys out west do I would assume. As I have only seen a couple of rattlers in the wild over the years, but have seen a LOT of snakes, mostly in the country we wheel/play in we find water moccasins, copperheads, and TONS of non venomous snakes.

[troyboy162]

My experience with the mojave greens has been that they don't rattle unless they are already active when you find them. The ones I find sunning will not move or rattle even when you are close. I tried to get one to strike my tire once and it seemdes anoiyed but not agressive lol

And thanks for the post!

[slosurfer]

.45 ACP Snakeshot

or if you don't live in commiefornia, you can carry The Judge (http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=200&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=41)

[4x4mike]

I suggested the Judge to my parents when they were looking for something for inside the house. It's not on the roster but my Dad said he was close to getting one legally through a local FFL but ended up with something else plus some more. I'm not sure how he would have been able to skirt around things but it's a product that looks like fun.

[04 Rocko Taco]

.45 ACP Snakeshot

or if you don't live in commiefornia, you can carry The Judge (http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=200&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=41)


Thank goodness I dont live in Kommiefornia... I think the judge looks like a fun woods gun, but I have actually been wanting to try some of that .45ACP shot, my LGS has a bunch, and I've been thinking about picking up some. You shoot it?

[slosurfer]

I suggested the Judge to my parents when they were looking for something for inside the house. It's not on the roster but my Dad said he was close to getting one legally through a local FFL but ended up with something else plus some more. I'm not sure how he would have been able to skirt around things but it's a product that looks like fun.


I think there is a way by making a certain kind of corporation, that you can own stuff like that in CA. It does look like a fun gun to play around with. FYI, since you visit around here quite a bit, I've run into rattlesnakes quite a few times at Montana De Oro on the bluff trail.



Thank goodness I dont live in Kommiefornia... I think the judge looks like a fun woods gun, but I have actually been wanting to try some of that .45ACP shot, my LGS has a bunch, and I've been thinking about picking up some. You shoot it?


I haven't shot it (don't own a .45), but I have a box of it that was given to me. :) Eventually I'll get to fire it.

The S&W Governor (http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/mix-six-the-smith-and-wesson-governor/) looks fun too

[04 Rocko Taco]

You know Stover... you DO have a friend that owns a couple of .45's. :)

iirc - the Govener can also shoot the .410, the 45 LC, and the .45ACP. Definitely looks like a fun gun, anytime you can share a common ammo, its a good thing.

[slosurfer]

You know Stover... you DO have a friend that owns a couple of .45's. :)

iirc - the Govener can also shoot the .410, the 45 LC, and the .45ACP. Definitely looks like a fun gun, anytime you can share a common ammo, its a good thing.


Well, if you have a couple .45's, then send me one! ;)

Yes, the Governor, is like the Judge and can shoot all those.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/2012-02-29_14-49-07_569.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

I dont think the Judge can shoot the 45 ACP can it?

[4x4mike]

In that case maybe I'll bring my .45 next time I come down there.

I live about a mile from the river where there are a ton of snakes. I see a lot when mountain biking and when I'm in the field at work. I also run over 3 or 4 a year on the river trail on my bike commute home. I'm not all that scared of them but they do sneak up on you if you're on foot. I've killed one on the bike and one more when cutting wood at my in laws but all the others are usually just chilling so I let them be. When camping I make sure I check the sleeping bag before getting in as rattlers can be at higher elevations around here.

My wife is a wildlife biologist and she works in an office full of reptile lovers/breeders. Their side business' are gecko/turtle/etc sales. Her boss has an obsession with bringing in snakes from the field because all the guys like to look at them. If you see a pillow case on the floor behind the door DON"'T TOUCH IT.

[4x4mike]

This is about 10 minutes up the road from me. I mountain bike near the water plant on a near weekly basis with my team. Right now we ride at night but in the summer the snakes are out later.

http://folsomtelegraph.com/detail/158641.html

[slosurfer]

I dont think the Judge can shoot the 45 ACP can it?



I think you might be right. Although I wonder if those half moon clips that the governor uses for the 45acp will work for the judge?

Mike, yeah, that snake would have made a nice meal.