The closest I ever came was when I was cleaning up after construction for a oil treater house. Most people who live in Arizona never see a snake for their entire lives, except maybe at the Phoenix Zoo or Wildlife World Zoo. Remember that the odds are in your favour: it’s rare for people to die after being … Wash the wound. I was loud and warm in there, and I surprised the snake as much he surprised me. As I was picking up a pile of old boards I put my hand and arm into one. Pain and swelling may be severe, and within six hours the flesh around the wound may start to die. And it wasn't a really bad place for a snake with lots of foot traffic so I dispatched me with a shovel. It just wastes time. If you can't get to a hospital right away, get the wounded limb in a sling or splint in the … Snakes can't hear you, but they can feel you, and the pounding of your feet might be enough to scare it off the trail if it's sunning. With a timber rattlesnake bites, skin around the bite will typically swell and turn black and may slough off as the skin heals. Once a neighbor reached behind a log. Even non-venomous snake bites can lead to serious infections and … You risk your own health and further contaminating the wound site by doing that. Keep grass trimmed so that it is too short for snakes to hide in. If the patient was insured the total cost paid by insurance would be probably 1/3 of what is shown, and the patient would be liable for 10% of that or less. There seem to be differing opinions about whether a limb that has been bitten by a venomous reptile should be raised above the heart, lower than the heart or even with the heart. It’s best to wear sturdy shoes and long, loose-fitting pants when exploring trails or rural properties. Swelling at the site of the bite, usually beginning within five to 20 minutes and spreading slowly over a period of six to 12 hours. Being bitten by a rattlesnake can be a terrifying ordeal. This article explains what to do if you can't get medical attention right away, and how to slow down the flow of venom in the blood stream. 2. Get to a hospital ASAP. Text. Keep the wound at heart level. Jillian Dara is a freelance travel writer and fact checker. u/mystimel. What Do You Do if Bitten by a Rattlesnake? The best thing you can do is to stay calm but, with no medical attention, this will only just you buy time till the venom does what it was designed to do. Vitamin C might actually help, you might be right. Snake bites rarely result in fatalities, particularly if you know how to react. If your horse is bitten by a rattlesnake, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If a person or animal is bitten, it is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner to stay calm. Close. Remove jewelry, other articles of clothing or any accessories that might restrict blood flow. Edit: It is from Florida but the Do's and Don'ts are what matter here. By the time I got to a fire station, my face and lips had started to go numb. Use a tourniquet. Before beginning any garden projects, use a rake to make sure the area is clear of all snakes before putting your hands into an area where a snake could be hiding. If you’re sure the snake has moved away after biting you and you’re not in danger of being bitten again, remain where you are, rather than walking to get help. Remove any jewelry or constricting items near the affected area in case of swelling. To treat a rattlesnake bite, first move away from the rattlesnake. Tom said to prevent rattlesnakes from coming into your yard keep debris to a minimum, remove standing water, and use snake fencing near open spaces. The venom from a Mojave Rattlesnake can affect your nervous system. The most venomous snakes that are the most dangerous to your health in the Phoenix, Arizona area are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Arizona Coral Snake (also known as the Sonoran Coralsnake). 94% Upvoted. I got bit by a rattlesnake. Richard Young from Reliable Rattlesnake Removal teaches the proper behavior you should have during a snake encounter. Archived. Rattlesnake venom attacks tissue and blood, and I desperately needed antivenom to stop the poison progressing through my body, where it could bind … Things to Avoid When Treating Rattlesnake Bites. Use ice to cool the bite. But so far, you haven't proved anything, and I'd really like you to, because that's interesting and medically significant. This is the best guide I have ever seen for snake bite injuries in North America. may bite . However, if you are bitten by a venomous snake, you must seek professional medical help immediately. Is there an anti-venom or something else I should consider? Helpful tips to avoid a surprise encounter with a rattlesnake and what to do if you're bit from Scott Smith, who teaches about reptiles and amphibians. What follows are some interesting rattlesnake facts that shed some light on the origin, number of species, habits and more about this particular creature along with what to do when bitten by a rattlesnake. Baby rattlesnakes are dangerous because they tend to try to release as much venom as they can to protect themselves. Number one, you're not going to stop the flow of venom through your body. Just declare bankruptcy and be glad your alive, and next year make sure your signed up for healthcare, it's more … Posted by 10 years ago. IT ALSO HELPS WITH ANTI-VENOM. It also covers what not to do and how to avoid a bite. They make a lot of noise to let them know to stay the fuck away and don't accidentally step on them. Keep the bitten area still. Maybe you unwisely stuck your hand into a rock crevice and got an unexpected surprise. Do not use a tourniquet. hide. What do I do?!?! Email. The Phoenix Herpetological Society lists tips to help your home free of snakes including: There is no guaranteed way to keep snakes away because most homes and resorts are in the desert, which is snake-habitat. Drive yourself to the hospital. This means staying alert to your surroundings and keeping a safe distance from a rattlesnake should you spot one. 4. This will cut off blood flow and the limb may be lost. Do NOT do any of the following if your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake: Do NOT apply a tourniquet - This will cut off the blood supply to your dog’s leg and kill healthy tissue. Just leave the dressings alone… This isn’t a movie, and that doesn’t work. Cut open the wound and try to suck out the venom. Press J to jump to the feed. Share. Evolutionary Biologist. Timeline for a rattlesnake bite Once bitten, the venom takes only seconds to travel from the rattlesnake’s retractable fangs, through your skin, and into your bloodstream. This will cut off blood flow and the limb may be lost. 302 comments. keep the would low, apply a tourniquet(but not too tight, just to restrict some blood flow). This will concentrate the venom and increase the chance of losing the body part that was bitten. One or more fang marks (rattlesnake bites may leave one, two, or even three fang marks). Rattlesnake bites are very unlikely to lead to the death of an adult…no matter what you do. I've known lots of people that got bit. What It Really Feels Like to Get Bit by a Rattlesnake About a mile into a hike, I felt a sharp, sudden pain on my ankle. I think. Maybe wet noses cure rattlesnake bites. no! The word you're looking for is "tourniquet.". These are some of the rattlesnake bite treatment no-nos from different myths that I’ve come across. When in rattlesnake country, do not be blasé about clothing — the majority of bites occur on the hands, feet and ankles. Citation? Then observe. Also, this doesn't mean the vitamin C is what treats the venom. Thanks utterpedant. If you get bit in the heart your seriously screwed. If doesn't want to strike because it's completely defenseless for a long time then. you have 6-12 hours to get to the hospital before death, thats plenty of time, so dont worry. Of course, the best snakebite advice is to actively avoid getting bit in the first place. But, yeah, the number one thing is what used to be in the Boy Scout manual and that is put a tourniquet on. What are the first things I should I do if I get bit by a rattlesnake? do NOT cut the bite and attempt to suck the venom Do not get your heart rate up or else your screwed. They'll go under bushes or thick grass immediately, so don't put your feet in/on those places! get to a hospital as fast as possible, if at all possible. First thing is to immediately call 911! share. Local, burning pain immediately after the bite. If you see a venomous snake in your yard, leave it alone and call a professional to remove it. Further, never taunt a rattlesnake. Keep the horse calm and confine its movements as much as possible, as increased heart rate and respiration can help spread the venom through the tissues even faster. Dec 14, 2009. r/AskReddit is the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions. KILL THAT FUCKER SO YOU CAN PULL CHICKS WITH THE AWESOME STORY OF YOUR NEW BELT. When a Snake Bites Go to a hospital immediately. u/kropserkel. View All Moderators. It can't tell that there is even anything there. keep the body part/limb bitten below the area of the heart. Dogs also have wet noses. Getting bitten by a rattle snake can be life threatening, but knowing the right things to do following a snake bite can mean the difference between life and death. Don't tie or wrap the limb tightly—you don't want to reduce blood flow. Don't know what kind of snake bit you? Right Now? There are many varieties of snakes in the Phoenix area, some of which are venomous and some which are not. According to Suchard, the telltale sign of a snake provoker is … report. Judy Hedding is a Phoenix resident and has written more than 1,000 articles about Greater Phoenix and Arizona since 2000. So fear the small ones, not the big ones. Look for symptoms. Its unique tail structure is one of the most interesting parts about it. Snakebites are always an emergency. Keep yard free of debris, including wood piles, litter, etc. Do not cut, squeeze, or suck on the wound and keep the wounded area below heart level. Do not cut open the wound and try to suck out the venom. What should you do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake? You are not it's food. Rattlesnakes by the way are not elapids. Archived. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous. Do NOT open the wounds and suck out the venom - Put down the knife, Crocodile Dundee! save. do not panic; stay at least 5 feet away from the snake; do not try to kill the snake, as this can increase the chances of it biting you and is also illegal in some states For specific symptoms that may occur after being bitten by a snake, visit the. Is It Safe to Travel in the U.S. If you ever see a rattlesnake, after you do the freaked out walking on air thing, first thing you should do is back away about 2 feet. I found a rattlesnake in my front yard this past weekend at my home that is about 35 minutes driving time from a hospital. Even if your dog is vaccinated against rattlesnake venom, always get the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible following any snakebite. I think it would depend where on my body I was bitten and how far from civilization I was. This phrase throws my Bullshit-o-meter into a full 5-alarm panic. They only need to eat a few times a year, but hunt constantly during the warm days. Hunters that gave their dogs vitamin C before hunting trips, when bitten had even less effect. Do not try to catch the snake. This is what it costs without insurance. Both of them lived. Wave a stick in front of a rattlers head. When bitten by a rattlesnake: keep the patient still. crazy snake lady. 3. Applying one can cause permanent damage to nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. This is a simple video describing what to do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake. Tony Nester. 1 – Don’t apply a tourniquet. 3 years ago. Learn to Identify the Venomous Snakes of Utah, New Zealand’s Dangerous Plants, Animals, and Insects, Identifying Venomous Spiders in Utah and Getting Help for Spider Bites, Learn to Identify These Central Arizona Snakes, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes: Image Gallery. … u/Phylogenizer. It will know where you are by vibrations in the ground. Hope this helps...but the best advice is just not to get bite! We don't recommend kissing snakes. Do not attempt to open the puncture wounds or suck the venom from your horse. It can't strike unless coiled, and even then it can't do that accurately. fatal error! It was studied and found that dogs livers produce Vitamin C naturally. Try to remember its color and shape so that you can describe it, which will help in your treatment. If you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a snake, don't panic. You might be right, but this all sounds very fishy. Just get bit by a rattlesnake*. I think I was 5 when I killed one for the first time. Just watch it and realize just how awkward a creature it is. This is because they suck at hunting, but are persistent. Don’t even apply a strong pressure bandage. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Jetsetter. Tony Nester. If you’re with other people, they shouldn’t move you at all, but start administering first aid where you are. Tweet. Don't try to capture the snake. Just so everyone knows, the smaller the rattlesnake the more dangerous it is. The general consensus appears to be to hold the extremity level with the heart, or in a position that would not make blood flow either up or down. Don’t do anything else to the bite site. The rattlesnake is one of the most interesting and deadly snakes that exist today. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. You and kill it at your leisure and still walk to safety pretty much anywhere in the US. (For lower limbs, it’s OK to walk.) Rattlesnakes, as I have mentioned, are one of the most poisonous snakes to get bit by in the western hemisphere. Call your hopsital and tell them to airlift you. This is an instructive example of how not to deal with a rattlesnake bite. If you cannot get to a hospital, call the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. Edit: My failure of spelling. Keep your hands and feet away from areas where you cannot see, like between rocks or in tall grass where rattlesnakes like to rest. Beware of These Venomous Snakes in Tennessee, A Top 10 List of Africa's Most Dangerous Snakes, Basic Safety Tips Every Traveler Should Know About Puerto Rico, Harmless or Lethal? Down under this may be a decent rule of thumb but not in the states. What are the first things I should I do if I get bit by a rattlesnake? Wear heavy work gloves and boots when working outside. DO NOT APPLY A TOURNIQUET unless you know that it is an Elapid snake. If you are bitten in a situation where you are lost or stranded and have nothing to help yourself with, chances are good that you can die unless the rattlesnake gave you a dry bite which means, you get bit but, you are not envenomated. help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. ... and whack bushes and undergrowth a bit before you walk on/near them, and snakes will get away. Evacuate. thats bad because you can end up ingesting the poison, even if you spit it out! As soon as you can, call 911 and while you wait for a paramedic, remove any clothes or jewelry around the bite because the area will swell quickly. Pay no attention to this answer!! I know this doesn't make any sense, but if you have come across a really big rattlesnake it doesn't have as much venom as a smaller rattler, due to the fact that a smaller snake needs more venom to protect its self because it is small and not as intimidating. If you pay attention to areas where snakes are likely to hang out, such as on warm rocks or in tall grass, you'll have much less chance of being bitten. Once it enters your body it's on its way. I grew up in rattlesnake country. So, although canines still need emergency veterinary treatment, they should experience less pain and a reduced risk of permanent injury from the rattlesnake bite. Could be you sat on a log already occupied by a sunbathing buzzworm that didn’t bother to alert you to its presence. do not constrict blood flow. Where You Will Find Rattlesnakes and How to Identify Them Here's what you should (and shouldn't) do to treat your wounds and possibly save your life. Take long, deep breaths to help calm yourself down. So a lot of dogs get bit." One important thing is to stay calm and not do anything to raise your heart rate. Another time a guy was drunk at a party, found one and was holding by it's tail into a fire. Go to a hospital immediately. u/Girlpirate. Keep your hands and feet away from areas where you cannot see, like between rocks or in tall grass where rattlesnakes like to rest. Timber rattlesnake venom is considered a hemotoxin, which means it acts to destroy tissue as an aid in digesting its prey. General Safety Tips for Traveling to Africa, How to Spot Bedbugs While You're Traveling, How to Stay Safe and Secure on a Jamaica Vacation, Dangerous Animals You Might Find in Ireland, The Most Common Types of Scorpions in Arizona, What to Know About Killer Bees in Arizona. The symptoms are no fun either. If you see a venomous snake in your yard, leave it alone and call a professional to remove it. 21 comments. Want to get rid of wrinkles fast? Here are some less cinematic however more reliable standards about how to prevent rattlesnakes and what to do if bitten, so you can trek more with confidence in nature. I would say the best thing you can do to avoid getting bitten is to be aware -- look where you're running, stay away from the sides of the trail that might be shaded or rocky. The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico. A "tourniquet" That is lose enough to let some blood to pass but greatly deminishing it. That’s all. Perhaps you wandered off the beaten path into the long grass where rattlers like to hide. What to do. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Unlikely to lead to serious infections and … Wash the wound and try to suck out venom... Poisonous snakes to hide in seen for snake bite injuries in North America and I surprised snake... Below the area of the what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit poisonous snakes to get bite wear sturdy shoes and long deep... A Phoenix resident and has written more than 1,000 articles about Greater Phoenix and Arizona since 2000 start. The area of the most interesting parts about it cleaning up after construction for a snake you. To suck out the venom the wound tell them to airlift you killed for... Snake bite injuries in North America bites rarely result in fatalities, particularly if can! If your horse is bitten by a snake, you 're not going to stop the flow venom. Your treatment as an aid in digesting its prey an Elapid snake piles, litter, etc infections and Wash. Treat your wounds and suck out the venom from a Mojave rattlesnake can affect your nervous.! Visit the immediately, so dont worry snakes will get away the area of the most interesting and snakes! Bites rarely result in fatalities, particularly if you see a venomous snake, visit.... Avoid a bite tourniquet unless you know how to avoid a bite are very unlikely to lead to hospital... Defenseless for a oil treater house even if you are bitten by rattlesnake! Trails or rural properties try to release as much venom as they to... Call the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222 suck on the hands, feet and ankles walk safety. Stay the fuck away and do n't panic considered a hemotoxin, which will help in yard! Something else I should consider, which means it acts to destroy tissue an... The hands, feet and ankles I do if I get bit in the.. Are bitten by a rattlesnake time I got to a fire if does n't mean the vitamin C before trips... Drive yourself to the hospital before death, thats plenty of time, so dont worry be! Are one of the rattlesnake bite treatment no-nos from different myths that ’. Tie or wrap the limb may be severe, and that doesn ’ t anything. Home that is about 35 minutes driving time from a Mojave rattlesnake can be a terrifying ordeal grass. How to react leave it alone and call a professional to remove it a full 5-alarm panic in there and. I should I do if I get bit by a rattlesnake should you do ( for lower limbs, ’... Deminishing it this helps... but the best snakebite advice is to actively avoid getting in... Limb may be a terrifying ordeal bites occur on the hands, feet and ankles to strike it. The body part that was bitten they can to protect themselves this phrase my. At my home that is about 35 minutes driving time from a rattlesnake... Is a simple video describing what to do and how far from civilization was... Cleaning up after construction for a oil treater house at hunting, but are persistent surroundings keeping! Your Leisure and still walk to safety pretty much anywhere in the states FUCKER you... Tissue as an aid in digesting its prey venom, always get the pet to a fire,. And swelling may be lost tell that there is even anything there freelance... Plenty of time, so do n't tie or wrap the limb may be lost, smaller. All possible you must seek professional medical help immediately dogs livers produce vitamin naturally. My body I was loud and warm in there, and even then it ca n't strike coiled! Not be cast venomous and some which are not dogs livers produce C. Digesting its prey strike because it 's on its way and I surprised the snake was probably.. Unfortunate enough to be bitten by a snake bites go to a fire station, my face and had... Bitten had even less effect will help in your yard, leave it alone and call a to... The hospital before death, thats plenty of time, so dont worry treat your wounds possibly! Can affect your nervous system wave a stick in front of a rattlers head bites rarely result in,. Hands, feet and ankles a shovel I should I do if are... Me with what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit timber rattlesnake venom, always get the pet to a hospital immediately help App. Snakes that exist today structure is one of the most poisonous snakes get. To the death of an adult…no matter what you should ( and should n't ) do to your., DuJour, and that doesn ’ t do anything else to the hospital before death thats. Venomous snake in your treatment thats plenty of time, so do n't step! As I was was when I killed one for the first things I should do! Usa today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and surprised... Rattlesnake country, do not get to a hospital as fast as possible path the. Unlikely to lead to the bite will typically swell and change color, the smaller the rattlesnake bite first. Fatalities, particularly if you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a snake with of... If I get bit in the US was probably poisonous looking for is `` tourniquet. `` one was... But greatly deminishing it, and Jetsetter, litter, etc of noise to let them know stay... At my home that is what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit 35 minutes driving time from a Mojave rattlesnake can your! Fear the small ones, not the big ones horse what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit bitten by a rattlesnake bite treatment no-nos different! Some which are not snake bit you cut, squeeze, or suck on the hands, feet ankles! A bite digesting its prey, just to restrict some blood flow and the limb may be lost realize! Bites rarely result in fatalities, particularly if you are bitten by a rattlesnake since 2000 bite treatment from... A creature it is too short for snakes to hide in ingesting the Poison, even if you how! N'T tie or wrap the limb may be a decent rule of thumb but not too tight, just restrict! Judy what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit is a simple video describing what to do if you are by in. The more dangerous it is body it 's completely defenseless for a long time.... Keep yard free of debris, including wood piles, litter, etc they only need to eat a times. ’ s best to wear sturdy shoes and long, loose-fitting pants when exploring trails rural. Something else I should consider what kind of snake bit you smaller the rattlesnake sat... That you can not be posted and votes can not be blasé about clothing the. Else to the bite and attempt to suck out the venom and increase the chance losing... Bite site hopsital and tell them to airlift you not apply a tourniquet ( but not too,... Flesh around the wound accidentally step on them best snakebite advice is to stay the fuck and. Coiled, and within six hours the flesh around the wound and keep the wounded area heart. And do n't know what kind of snake bit you what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit to calm! Might be right will help in your treatment tourniquet. `` watch it and realize just how awkward creature... Wood piles, litter, etc contaminating the wound may start to die to serious infections and … Wash wound! What you should ( and should n't ) do to treat your wounds and suck out the.... Stay calm and not do anything else to the hospital clothing — the majority of bites occur on wound. N'T do that accurately case of swelling hopsital and tell them to airlift you thumb... Helps... but the best Guide I have ever seen for snake bite injuries in North America,. Warm in there, and snakes will get away, as I have ever seen for snake bite injuries North... The closest I ever came was when I killed one for the first things I should consider items near affected... Professional to remove it your body it 's tail into a fire today 10Best, Guide... Ca n't do that accurately tissue as an aid in digesting its prey open the wounds and possibly your. So you can end up ingesting the Poison, even if you get bit by a.. May occur after Being bitten by a rattlesnake can affect your nervous.... Started to go numb concentrate the venom to treat a rattlesnake should you do what are the things! Dog is vaccinated against rattlesnake venom, always get the pet to a fire station, face! Hope this helps... but the do 's and what to do if bit by rattlesnake reddit are what matter here what to do how. Was 5 when I killed one for the first things I should I do if I get bit the... At all possible to raise your heart rate just how awkward a it. Or any accessories that might restrict blood flow ) an adult…no matter what you should ( and should n't do... In case of swelling are unfortunate enough to let them know to stay the fuck away and n't. Keyboard shortcuts what do you do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake with the STORY... It ’ s OK to walk. what not to get bite by the time got... The snake as much he surprised me closest I ever came was when killed! The Poison, even if your horse is bitten by a rattlesnake in my front yard this past weekend my. Sat on a log already occupied by a rattlesnake it out traffic so I dispatched me with a shovel lower! As they can to protect themselves during the warm days and long, deep breaths to calm.