We may hate the dry, hot conditions of a drought, but snakes love it!
Two Utahns,
an adult and a 16-year-old,
have been bitten by rattlesnakes in the past week, prompting a warning from the experts.
News Specialist Ed Yeates reports from one of our canyons.
With these dry conditions, expect not only dust on your favorite trails, but perhaps a snake or two. And if your home borders mountainous or rocky terrain, the reptiles - especially this year - might visit your backyard.
Brian Coleman, 16, of Orem, was simply riding his bike at Bridal Veil Falls last week. He certainly didn't expect to unknowingly rest his hand on a rattlesnake.
Brian Coleman / Snake Bite Victim: "AND WHEN WE GOT TO THE FALLS WE TOOK A BREAK. I SAT DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE TRAIL IN THE DIRT - BY THE DIRT - AND WHEN I PUT MY HAND BACK LIKE THIS AND THERE WAS A TWELVE INCH RATTLESNAKE THERE AND IT BIT ME."
Brian spent a night in the hospital. He got a shot of antivenin to counteract the poison, but not before his hand and half his arm had swollen twice their normal size.
Rattlesnakes are out, especially the younger ones.
Unlike adult rattlers which control the venom in their bite, young snakes tend to over-inject, which is even more dangerous.
Brian is lucky. For a while at least, he'll still feel the effects of the bite.
BRIAN: "LIKE THAT FAR IS ALL I CAN BEND MY HAND."
While Brian's bite was a fluke, the second incident reported to Utah Poison Control was not!
Barbara Crouch / Utah Poison Control Center: "IT HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN UTAH AND IT WAS AN ADULT WHO PICKED UP THE SNAKE TO SHOW A GROUP OF KIDS THE SNAKE."
Don't pick up snakes - even dead ones.
The New England Journal of Medicine several years ago confirmed muscle reactions in a decapitated snake delivered potent injections of venom to a souvenir hunter who was handling the head.
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake....
CROUCH: "OUR BEST FIRST AID IS THE KEYS TO YOUR CAR. IF YOU DO GET BITTEN YOU WANT TO GET TO A HEALTH CARE FACILITY FAIRLY QUICKLY. YOU WANT TO REMAIN CALM. DON'T GET EXCITED. DON'T RUN. BUT GET TO A HEALTH CARE FACILITY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE."
Incidentally, there has been a national shortage of antivenin to treat snakebites. But Barbara Crouch says those supplies should be back to normal by the middle of summer.
May 28, 2002
Tips (from the CDC)
- The best cure for snakebite is prevention.
- Do not play with snakes
- Keep landscape well manicured
- Wear shoes when outdoors
- Wear gloves when weeding
- Wear boots in snake country
- Develop the habit of watching where you step and where you place your hands
What to do
Go immediately to an emergency room or health care facility.
What NOT to do(From Medline Plus)
- DO NOT allow the victim to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the victim to safety.
- DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
- DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
- DO NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.
- DO NOT try to suction the venom by mouth.
- DO NOT give the victim stimulants or pain medications unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
- DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth.
- DO NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the victim’s heart.
More on symptoms, first aid, etc.: Medline Plus
Utah Poison Control Center
410 Chipeta Way, Suite 230
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Emergency Phone: (800) 222-1222
