- Location
- Desert Beach So Cal
In case you haven't seen this
(from David C. Edgar - Forest Safety Officer / HAZMAT Specialist
RLEO/FS Chief Accident Investigator
San Bernardino National Forest) :
RATTLESNAKE PRECAUTIONS
A recent California resident's death from snakebite is a stark reminder
that prompt medical attention to snake bites must be initiated immediately.
This individual was experienced with snakes and raised them as a child.
Last week while he was walking in a dry riverbed in Riverside County, after
hiking approximately 500 yards from his vehicle he stepped on what appeared
to be a small wooden log. The log turned out to be a rattlesnake and
struck twice biting him in the left shin. After realizing the seriousness
of his bite, he used his cell phone to call his family and also his
employer in an attempt to locate a medical facility. The venom from the
snake caused a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation,
which leads to strokes within the body. After receiving medical care at
both Kaiser and Loma Linda University Medical Center, the victim succumbed
to the snakes poison and was removed from life support on Monday May 19.
The need to receive rapid medical attention is imperative and should not be
delayed.
Rattlesnakes, like reptiles, can't regulate their own body temperature. In
temperatures below 50 degrees F, they tend to stay inactive in warmer
shelters. In cold weather they usually go into a semi-hibernation to
conserve body heat. Ultimately, it's temperature, not the time of day or
season, which determines how active rattlesnakes are. As Southern
California generally has warm temperature most of the year, rattlesnakes
can be active, and encountered, almost year-round in Inland Empire.
Common Inland Empire Rattlers
· Southern Pacific Rattle Snake (R/S): Found in coastal areas.
· Western Diamondback R/S: Found in San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial
and eastern portions of Riverside County.
· Red Diamond R/S: Found in the local mountain range slopes s/w desert
regions.
· Speckled R/S: Desert regions.
· Mojave R/S: High Mojave Desert.
Characteristics of Rattlesnakes
· Broad, triangular or narrow head on a thin neck.
· Hooded eyes w/oval shaped pupils.
· Have folded fangs.
· Pits between eyes and nostrils to detect warm-blooded body heat of
prey.
· Rattle at end of tail if not broken off.
Symptoms of a Rattlesnake Bite
· Fang marks.
· Pain, tingling, burning, swelling or discoloration at bite area.
· Numbness/tingling of mouth/tongue.
· Nausea/vomiting or weakness/dizziness.
· Sweating and/or chills.
· Breathing difficulty.
First Aid Procedures
· Keep the victim calm.
· Gently wash the bite w/water and soap.
· Immobilize the bite and keep it lower than the heart.
· Call 9-1-1 or transport the victim.
First Aid Don'ts
· Don't apply a tourniquet.
· Don't apply ice to bite area.
· Don't cut the bite and suck venom out.
· Don't use suction cups, very ineffective.
· Don't give victim alcohol to drink.
Important Facts About Rattlesnakes
· 8,000 bites are reported annually; 9-15 people die (less than 1%)
· 25% of adult snakebites are "dry bites" - no venom injected in the
victim.
· Baby rattlers are more dangerous - they inject venom into their
victims.
· Snakes can only strike a distance 1/2 their own body length.
· Snakes only strike when hunting or when threatened.
· Fingers, hands, arms, ankles or feet are the most commonly bitten.
· Rattles are not always present to warn you - they could be missing.
· Mojave Rattler venom is a neurotoxin - it attacks the nervous system
and may cause paralysis and impair/stop breathing.
· All other rattlesnake venom is hemotoxin in nature - causing tissue
damage at the bite and impairs the clotting ability of the blood.
Rattlesnake Bite Prevention
· Wear sturdy leather shoes/boots and long pants.
· Walk in clear areas - avoid high vegetation areas and use a walking
stick to probe ahead, if you do.
· Don't reach into blind areas.
· Step up on, or walk around, but don't step directly over logs, tree
stumps and large rocks.
· Always look for concealed snakes before picking up or moving sticks,
logs, branches and rocks; wear leather gloves when doing so.
· After dark, use a flashlight.
· Exterminate rodents - food source for snakes - from your area.
· If you hear a rattler - FREEZE - stay calm, locate the snake and move
away slowly.
· If you see a snake, don't approach, tease, try to capture or try to
handle it, over half of all rattlesnake bites occur during such
activities.
Rattlesnake Reminder
Remember, rattlesnakes play an important role in our environment by helping
to control the rodent population. Efforts should be made to avoid killing
them unless absolutely necessary or call animal control if you find one on
your property.
=================
Yes, it's Ratttlesnake season again
(from David C. Edgar - Forest Safety Officer / HAZMAT Specialist
RLEO/FS Chief Accident Investigator
San Bernardino National Forest) :
RATTLESNAKE PRECAUTIONS
A recent California resident's death from snakebite is a stark reminder
that prompt medical attention to snake bites must be initiated immediately.
This individual was experienced with snakes and raised them as a child.
Last week while he was walking in a dry riverbed in Riverside County, after
hiking approximately 500 yards from his vehicle he stepped on what appeared
to be a small wooden log. The log turned out to be a rattlesnake and
struck twice biting him in the left shin. After realizing the seriousness
of his bite, he used his cell phone to call his family and also his
employer in an attempt to locate a medical facility. The venom from the
snake caused a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation,
which leads to strokes within the body. After receiving medical care at
both Kaiser and Loma Linda University Medical Center, the victim succumbed
to the snakes poison and was removed from life support on Monday May 19.
The need to receive rapid medical attention is imperative and should not be
delayed.
Rattlesnakes, like reptiles, can't regulate their own body temperature. In
temperatures below 50 degrees F, they tend to stay inactive in warmer
shelters. In cold weather they usually go into a semi-hibernation to
conserve body heat. Ultimately, it's temperature, not the time of day or
season, which determines how active rattlesnakes are. As Southern
California generally has warm temperature most of the year, rattlesnakes
can be active, and encountered, almost year-round in Inland Empire.
Common Inland Empire Rattlers
· Southern Pacific Rattle Snake (R/S): Found in coastal areas.
· Western Diamondback R/S: Found in San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial
and eastern portions of Riverside County.
· Red Diamond R/S: Found in the local mountain range slopes s/w desert
regions.
· Speckled R/S: Desert regions.
· Mojave R/S: High Mojave Desert.
Characteristics of Rattlesnakes
· Broad, triangular or narrow head on a thin neck.
· Hooded eyes w/oval shaped pupils.
· Have folded fangs.
· Pits between eyes and nostrils to detect warm-blooded body heat of
prey.
· Rattle at end of tail if not broken off.
Symptoms of a Rattlesnake Bite
· Fang marks.
· Pain, tingling, burning, swelling or discoloration at bite area.
· Numbness/tingling of mouth/tongue.
· Nausea/vomiting or weakness/dizziness.
· Sweating and/or chills.
· Breathing difficulty.
First Aid Procedures
· Keep the victim calm.
· Gently wash the bite w/water and soap.
· Immobilize the bite and keep it lower than the heart.
· Call 9-1-1 or transport the victim.
First Aid Don'ts
· Don't apply a tourniquet.
· Don't apply ice to bite area.
· Don't cut the bite and suck venom out.
· Don't use suction cups, very ineffective.
· Don't give victim alcohol to drink.
Important Facts About Rattlesnakes
· 8,000 bites are reported annually; 9-15 people die (less than 1%)
· 25% of adult snakebites are "dry bites" - no venom injected in the
victim.
· Baby rattlers are more dangerous - they inject venom into their
victims.
· Snakes can only strike a distance 1/2 their own body length.
· Snakes only strike when hunting or when threatened.
· Fingers, hands, arms, ankles or feet are the most commonly bitten.
· Rattles are not always present to warn you - they could be missing.
· Mojave Rattler venom is a neurotoxin - it attacks the nervous system
and may cause paralysis and impair/stop breathing.
· All other rattlesnake venom is hemotoxin in nature - causing tissue
damage at the bite and impairs the clotting ability of the blood.
Rattlesnake Bite Prevention
· Wear sturdy leather shoes/boots and long pants.
· Walk in clear areas - avoid high vegetation areas and use a walking
stick to probe ahead, if you do.
· Don't reach into blind areas.
· Step up on, or walk around, but don't step directly over logs, tree
stumps and large rocks.
· Always look for concealed snakes before picking up or moving sticks,
logs, branches and rocks; wear leather gloves when doing so.
· After dark, use a flashlight.
· Exterminate rodents - food source for snakes - from your area.
· If you hear a rattler - FREEZE - stay calm, locate the snake and move
away slowly.
· If you see a snake, don't approach, tease, try to capture or try to
handle it, over half of all rattlesnake bites occur during such
activities.
Rattlesnake Reminder
Remember, rattlesnakes play an important role in our environment by helping
to control the rodent population. Efforts should be made to avoid killing
them unless absolutely necessary or call animal control if you find one on
your property.
=================
Yes, it's Ratttlesnake season again
