Backcountry Emergencies
Snake Bite
This page presents some basic information on how to avoid and treat snake bites in canyon country.
About 8,000 Americans suffer venomous bites every year, and, on the average, 12 of them die. Most of these folks are victims of their own stupidity, having pestered the critter that bit them. The rule here is, leave snakes alone. If you encounter a snake in your path, slowly back away and give it a wide berth. But please, don't kill it, no matter how creepy it makes you feel. Snakes keep the rodent population in balance, and they seldom attack unless provoked.
Most other bites occur when people surprise a snake that strikes in self-defense. If you're handling firewood, brush, or rocks where snakes (and spiders and scorpions, for that matter) like to hide, use a pole to move things around. Wear heavy gloves if you must reach into a place you can't see. If you're backpacking in snake country (and most of canyon country is snake country) a walking stick can come in handy. It's also a good idea to sleep in a zipped-up tent.
Avoiding Snake Bites
- All snakes should be avoided, not killed. Never kill rattlesnakes found in the wild. They are a vital part of the desert ecology and deserve respect.
- Never handle or tease any snake. Do not handle a dead rattlesnake; they can strike by reflex for some time after their apparent death.
- Bites usually occur on the feet or ankles.
- It is very rare for a hiker to be bitten.
- Snakes prefer surfaces at about 80 degrees F. In hot weather they prefer the shade of bushes or rock overhangs, while in cooler weather they may be found sunning themselves on open ground. During cold weather, they are inactive. Any time lizards are active, rattlesnakes probably are active as well.
- Since rattlesnakes can strike no further than about half their body length, avoid placing your hands and feet in areas you cannot see, and walk several feet away from rock overhangs and shady ledges.
- Use a flashlight when moving around camp after dark, at least in the warmer months, when snakes are active mainly at night. Never walk around camp barefoot or in sandals during the warm summer months.
Signs and Symptoms of a Poisonous Bite
- Sharp, stinging pain with one or more puncture marks in the area.
- Swelling, discoloration and pain in the bitten area.
- As the poison goes through the body, other symptoms may develop such as:
- Weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Respiratory distress
- Shock
Current First Aid Recommendations
- Stay calm.
- Keep the bitten area lower than the heart to slow the spread of the venom.
- Follow the ABC's:
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Wash the bite with soap and water as soon as you can.
- Transport the victim to the nearest medical facility at a safe speed.
- If you can't get to a doctor within 30 minutes, wrap a bandage tightly two or four inches above the bite to further slow the venom's spread. Be careful not to cut off all blood flow, which could damage the limb. You should be able to slide one finger underneath the bandage. Do not apply tourniquets or constricting bands.
- Give a non-aspirin drug for pain.
- Remove rings, watches, bracelets and shoes from any areas likely to swell.
- If you have a bite kit with a suction devise, follow the instructions. Do not cut and suck if within one hour of medical help. It is best not to make incisions, which could become infected. Don't try to suck the poison out with your mouth. You might get it into your bloodstream too.
- Do not apply ice or ice water, it makes removing venom more difficult.
- Identify the snake. If possible, kill the snake and take it with you to the medical facility with the victim.
- Monitor the victim's breathing, pulse, and other visible signs of distress during transportation.
Some Additional Thoughts
- Tourniquets, cut and suck, and ice application have more basis in folklore than in medical science. Tight, constricting tourniquets may increase local tissue damage. A combination of venom and debris may be released systemically with removal of a tourniquet, which can result in low blood pressure in the victim. Since no data supports better outcome with tourniquets, they are not recommenced as a first aid treatment.
- "Constricting bands" which impede lymphatic return but not arterial blood supply, are of possible, but unproven benefit. In addition, the procedure is unclear to the average first aid provider.
- Cutting of the bite site is also not helpful. It is rarely done in a sterile manner, may further compromise tissue blood supply, and may result in injury to nerves and tendons. Poorer wound healing has been shown with cross cut incisions.
- The value of suction at the bite site, with or without an incision, is also unclear. Estimates of removal of venom under field conditions are very low, in the range of 5% to 6%. Since the human mouth is a garden of microorganisms and the local tissue effects of venom lead to compromised blood supply, oral suction to a snake bite wound should be avoided.
- The use of suction devices or cups contained in commercial snake bite kits are recommended if you are unable to transport the victim to a medical facility within one hour of the time of the bite. If you can get the victim to a medical facility within one hour, do not delay transporting the victim to use a snake bite kit.
- Cooling the bit area with ice or ice water is considered to be a significant contributing factor to loss of limbs from snake bite. The use of ice or ice water is not recommended.
- If you will be traveling far into the backcountry and will be more than one hour from a medical facility, it is recommended that you have a snake bite kit with you. If you are bitten, remain calm. If you are alone, you must perform all of your own firs aid, so keep your head.
Books and Resources
Related Sites
|
|
More Outside Links |
||
