(Big O @ Mar. 20 2007,16:49) Good advice. I've been struck at each spring in the last two years. Just little rattlers, but still...
And they look like rubber strips when you come up on them, then they coil and strike. I don't know where they are on a snake, but they must be brass.
I've been told the baby snakes are more dangerous than the adults because they evidently don't 'dose' their venom when they bite they just give you the full load. And yes, that snake looked like a big piece of manzanita laying next to the trail, except it was big and fat and tappered at both ends...the biggest rattler I had ever seen. Threw a rock at him to get him off the trail and you never saw a snake move so fast or get so pissed! Here are some interesting facts:
The Snakes
<ul>In the World - There are more than 5,400,000 snake bites annually with about 125,000 deaths per year.
[/list]In the US - There’s approximately 120 species of snakes of which 26 are venomous. There are more than 10,000 snake bites annually but only 1-2 deaths per year.
<ul>In the West Texas Region - There are more that 55 snake bites annually with 90% of the bites occurring during the months of May, June, July, August, September and October
The Victims
[/list]90% are males between the ages of 18 – 38 and involve alcohol.
<ul>80% of bites are on the hand and involve deliberate handling or attempts to catch the snake
[/list]Only 15% of bites are in the foot or ankle area
<ul>98% of all envenamations in (USA) are from Pit Vipers, 1% are from Coral Snakes and 1% from others
The Bites
[/list]About 25% of all bites by venomous snakes are dry bites - do not result in envenomation (no venom is injected)
<ul>Snake venom poisoning is an emergency requiring immediate attention
[/list]Delayed or inadequate treatment may result in significant
morbidity or mortality
Pre-Hospital Treatment
<ul>Wound Care - Wash the affected area with soap and water; apply a loose dressing to prevent infection
[/list]Immobilization by splinting the limb will promote oxygen exchange and slows down circulation and absorption process
<ul>Transport to a Health Care Facility Immediately - Do not run to a vehicle, bring the vehicle to the patient
[/list]Call Poison Center to advise health care facility & ensure antivenom is available
The closest level 1 trauma center for the San Gabriels or San Bernardinos would be Loma Linda University Hospital. Primary rule with snakes....DON'T F**K WITH 'EM! (see notes above regarding snake handling and alcohol)
I hate snakes... Took me a good 10 miles before i was comfortable again
