snakes
I think it is important to know what poisonous snakes are native to your area. This can be helpful if you get bit by one, because it may not be as much of a cause for alarm. I say this, but I know that I would run to the hospital, regardless. I am not taking any chances.
Yeah, its a good idea to have a guidebook on venomous animals, and plants. There are lots of snakes and plants that are poisonous, with snakes being the more dangerous of the two (assuming you don't eat the plants or burn them). There are also lizards, bugs, and shrews that are dangerous in North America.
I think learning about snakes ...along with any other hazard in the wilds ...is a prerequisite to hiking, camping or any other reason you're out there. I grew up in the country so was taught at an early age how to identify things, but I see people hiking the Appalachian Trail, near me, who don't have a clue! It's crazy!
Venomous snakes would definitely be something to worry about. Of course, if you use a little bit of common sense, even if you see one, it will likely move away. There aren't that many snakes that seek out people to bite. It's when we invade their territory and they feel they must defend themselves that people get bit.
You are so right about the snakes. Don't forget the spiders either? You are right that the majority of the time they will leave you alone. But it can be easy to just be walking in an area and get bitten.
here in FL the pet trade has brought in a lot of snakes and animals that aren't native to the area so even with study you might come up short. Snakes sometimes poisonous snakes will dry bite just to try an get rid of you. The younger snakes are often more dangerous, one because they are smaller, 2 because they are more likely to inject venom.
the biggest thing to remember if you get bit is try to stay calm. if you freak out it's going to cause the venom to travel quicker and do more damage. elevation can help also and if I remember right splinting can also help prevent the poison from spreading quickly. Also try to remember what the snake looked like. Learn how to tell the difference between what snake bites look like. i imagine if you google it you could prolly find some pictures. bites generally look different if it's a poisonous snake... thats generally though. Here in the USA with most snakes you have at least an hour before you might die from a single snake bite. Spiders, the 2 you have to be most careful about is the brown recluse (has a fiddle shape on it's back) and also the Black widow which has an hourglass shape someplace on it. (I forget where cause it's been a bit sense i've seen one.) Black widow eggs are white.
I'm not a medical professional like thinkfree3, but if I'm not mistaken there are three types of antivenin in use for critters in North America. One for the black widow, one for the coral snakes, and one for just about all the other poisonous snakes. There are probably a few exceptions (especially when dealing with non-native species), but it seems most important to know the difference between coral snakes and everything else. Of course if you can say its a Timber rattlesnake or a Eastern Cottonmouth, that's better.
I went on a search out of curiosity, but it's difficult information to find ...anyone have a link about this as I'm rather fascinated by the different types of serums. I know local hospitals will stock what is necessary for their areas, but .........
When confronted with a snake it is very important to keep the cool. You should avoid moving or trying to run. Patience is the key.
Around here, we have a lot of rattlesnakes. Most bite happen when people step on them, we always wear boots in the brush, especially summer evenings.
If i went camping i would buy a book explaining posinous spiders snake insects etc and snakes dont look to attack they do only when threatened i believe
I have lived with Rattle Snakes all my life and so far no bites, Thank heavens. Make lots of noise, they don`t like it. And heres one. Keep Cats, yes they will kill most snakes and love Rattlers. My three Cats eat their share every season.
I grew up in rattlesnake country too, and heard of very few bites. Now that I live in an area where poisionous snakes are more rare, I know my instincts are lax ...and shouldn't be! Everyonce in a while I will see a timber rattler and it really shakes me.
I was not aware that snakes can be a good meal to Cats. Now that is a good option then.
Serums
I hear there is a EMS unit down in Miami thats got all the info on that type stuff, one of my medic friends was telling me about it. I'll ask him an let ya know what we can find out. I don't know much about serums an whatnots because we don't administer that stuff here in the city because there is plenty of time to get them to the hospital generally speaking. We do use Epi in cases with alergic reactions. If you are alergic to bee's or other stuff you may want to ask your doc if you can get an epi auto injecter. If your really alergic he might give you one.
Originally Posted by vicki2
I have heard of hospitals using peoples blood to combat the poison. if someone handles rattlesnakes all the time for instance and gets bit a lot they may develope some sort of imunity. It might be something to look in to but i don't have the facts on that so don't quote me.
Actually depending on your area I would say poisonous plants is more of a concern. Getting sick in the wilderness can be pretty serious and you have a way higher chance of running into the plants than any snake. Accidently burning the wrong plant or using it to roast hot dogs can be pretty serious. There's some basic snake bite procedures that if you follow you'll be ok in most situations, they can be found in most field books and such.
YOu're right about the plants, but getting snake bit in a remote location is dicey. Even with a snake bit kit, there's x amount of time you can keep the poison from reaching the heart.
Oh, I did find an article which says that most anti-venom is obtained from horses. Horses don't respond to snake bite poison like humans do so their blood is used to make the serum.
If you can freeze the part of your body that was bite. The more you can slow the pumbing of your heart and localize the area, the better. Keep it cold, till you get to help.
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