[jkhunter]

I never used to worry about being bit by a poisonous snake but now that I am spending more time in NC Pa I have been reading some articles on what to do if bitten by a poisonous snake.

I realize it will probably never happen and i also know the best thing to do is avoid them. This topic is for what if it does happen.

Has anyone experienced a snake bite, either themselves or someone they know? If so what happened?

I read this on a website about Easten Diamondback Rattlesnakes. I have to admit it freaked me out a little.

"Can a dead snake bite me?
YES!!! In one study 3% of the snakebites studied were from decapitated snakes. My only envenomation was from a dead canebrake rattlesnake."

Not that I would attempt to chop the head off of one.

Let's try not to make this a for or against snakes thread

 

[BrownTrout]

Dr. Freeman who was our company Dr. up until this year was the Dr. in charge of snake bites in Coudersport hospital. I think he still is in charge of that. I asked him this same question two years ago. Actually I asked him his thoughts on tying off above the bite if bitten in the leg or lower extremities. He told me when they have their annual conferencesw or get togethers/studies on snake bites that tying off has gotten mixed reviews and recommendations change every year. It used to be no tying off then tying off tightly. He said theeir most recent recommendations is take your tshirt or what have you and tie off lightly above wound. Do not make it super tight were it stops all blood flow or hampers it dramatically. And the old wives tell about sucking it out is just that. Do not do that ever if your with afriend that gets bitten. Try to stay calm and seek the closet emergency room. He told me Coudy hospital keeps a few vials of anitvenom on hand at all times. We [censored] chatted about a few bite victims he treated over the years as well. The biggest thing I got out of it is that it's not an automatic death sentence like most people think. Although recent studies have shown that poisonous snake bite victims do live shorther life spans. Not all of them, but most.

 

[dce]

I don't hear about too many snakebites around here although I know it probably happens from time to time.I do know that either last summer or the summer before a Penn Dot worker or contractor got bit on the hand along rt 322 on Clearfield mountain.I have a few buddies that were working there at the time and it seemed like the guy guy bit while trying to handle it.I imagine if you spend much time in snake country,most likely you've been within a few feet of them and never even knew it.

A few years ago I was scouting for deer off of tyler road in Moshannon state forest the week before archery season.That place is loaded with rattle snakes but I never even gave them a though because it was a pretty cold morning.I was walking along and just hapened to look down to see a big black phase rattler all coiled up.It actually appeared to be dead until I lifted it's head up with a big long stick.It was so lethargic that it hardly moved but it was definately alive.I let it be and picked the clearest path out of there to get back to my truck.It shook me up some because had I not looked down,I would have stepped right on it.

 

[jkhunter]

I spend a good bit of time off of Tyler Road near Laurel run (i think that's the name). Somebody told me there are a good many Rattlesnakes around there.

I know it's rare but I would like to know what to do in case, So far what BrownTrout said is everything that I have been reading.

First thing is stay calm and don't panic. I will most likely skip that step

 

[burk313]

The TWO MOST DEADLY snakes are in Virginia not PA.The water moccasin and the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake.Both these snakes are highly aggressive and do not reside in PA..The copper head has a very deadly bite but is less aggressive.If you get bit by a copperhead get to the hospital ASAP.Baby copperheads are even worse.Timber Rattlesnakes are timid and shy but if you provoke them they will bite you.Alot of times when they bite they do not inject venom but to be on the safe side get to a hospital.ALSO ALWAYS IDENTFY the snake that bit you even if it means killing it and putting it in a bag to take to the hospital.Just make sure it is dead.

 

[dce]

Nah,copperheads aren't very deadly at all.In alot of cases,they don't even administer anti-venom.

I'm far from a snake expert but I've seen some guys get nailed at the old Noxen rattlesnake round-up.Usually it was the drunk guy holding the sack.In any event,they usually spent a few days in ICU,even though an ambulance was on seen when they got bit.

I don't fear snakes but I usually give them plenty of space.If we had water moccasin's in Pa,I'd probably never go near the water again.I've never handled a poisonous snake and never plan on it.

 

[dce]

Do some googling on copperhead bites.Most likely,it wouldn't be a pleasant experience but they're not nearly as deadly as other species.

 

[222Shooter]

rattle snake bite can be pretty bad but bee stings can kill you quicker. Even if you are not alergic, you can go into anaphilactic(sp) shock and be dead in a half an hour. Happened to a fella I knew. Thats why I carry benydryl tables with me when I'm out in the woods.

 

[Fleroo]

Can't remember the exact number right now, but I got hit with somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-50 times by ground bees while cutting grass. Man, they were P'd off. The world started spinning as I was heading to the ER. Turned out alright, however not sure it would of if I was severely allergic.

 

[Doubledog]

A customer of mine who had been stung previously in his life with no ill effects, was stung two years ago by a single ground wasp. His airway was restricted shortly thereafter and he wound up being in a coma for a few weeks before life support was withdrawn. 42 year old left a wife and 4 young kids. After his death I researched bee stings and was suprised to learn that such an allergic reaction can happen to anyone and that the next bee could be the last one. When I get stung now, I take the benedryll immediately.

 

[shade mountain]

Neighbors at my parents house were clearing an area a few weeks ago and he ended up getting nailed by a timber rattler and spent the next two days in the hospital. They where a little worried at first that they may have to cut his arm to relieve the swelling but lucky for him it went down and was able to avoid that

 

[Guest]

My brother and his buddy Jerry create rattlesnake habitat on the state forests in Tioga County.

Two years ago, they were both working on the same rock when Jerry came over to Jason's side to help. Jason had been working on that rock for a while, but as soon as Jerry put his hand under, he was bit.

They were maybe 50 yds down over the side from the top. BY the time Jerry got to the top, his tongue was swelling. Luckily, their Verizon cell phones worked and they called 911 and asked that an ambulance meet them enroute.

They got to the truck and Jason sped down over the mountain. Jerry was having trouble breathing and was delerious. They met the ambulance and it took Jerry to the Wellsboro Hospital where anti venin was administered. He was then flown by helicopter to Hershery Medical and then on to Harrisburg Hospital.

He was told that they never administered so much anti venin to any one person. He obviously was pretty allergic. He spent, I think, 2 weeks in the hospital and many weeks off work. To this day, his finger does not work right where he was bitten.

Jerry had no insurance and luckily,as they were volunteers for DCNR, the state picked up the bill. He had no disability insurance and his lost wages were never recovered.

It sure was a scary thing and thankfully cell phones worked, and they got to the ambulance in time. I don't think Jerry had much longer.

 

[Rugged Hunter]

Dr. Freeman who was our company Dr. up until this year was the Dr. in charge of snake bites in Coudersport hospital. I think he still is in charge of that. I asked him this same question two years ago. Actually I asked him his thoughts on tying off above the bite if bitten in the leg or lower extremities. He told me when they have their annual conferencesw or get togethers/studies on snake bites that tying off has gotten mixed reviews and recommendations change every year. It used to be no tying off then tying off tightly. He said theeir most recent recommendations is take your tshirt or what have you and tie off lightly above wound. Do not make it super tight were it stops all blood flow or hampers it dramatically. And the old wives tell about sucking it out is just that. Do not do that ever if your with afriend that gets bitten. Try to stay calm and seek the closet emergency room. He told me Coudy hospital keeps a few vials of anitvenom on hand at all times. We [censored] chatted about a few bite victims he treated over the years as well. The biggest thing I got out of it is that it's not an automatic death sentence like most people think. Although recent studies have shown that poisonous snake bite victims do live shorther life spans. Not all of them, but most.

 

[clermont]

My brother and his buddy Jerry create rattlesnake habitat on the state forests in Tioga County.

Two years ago, they were both working on the same rock when Jerry came over to Jason's side to help. Jason had been working on that rock for a while, but as soon as Jerry put his hand under, he was bit.

They were maybe 50 yds down over the side from the top. BY the time Jerry got to the top, his tongue was swelling. Luckily, their Verizon cell phones worked and they called 911 and asked that an ambulance meet them enroute.

They got to the truck and Jason sped down over the mountain. Jerry was having trouble breathing and was delerious. They met the ambulance and it took Jerry to the Wellsboro Hospital where anti venin was administered. He was then flown by helicopter to Hershery Medical and then on to Harrisburg Hospital.

He was told that they never administered so much anti venin to any one person. He obviously was pretty allergic. He spent, I think, 2 weeks in the hospital and many weeks off work. To this day, his finger does not work right where he was bitten.

Jerry had no insurance and luckily,as they were volunteers for DCNR, the state picked up the bill. He had no disability insurance and his lost wages were never recovered.

It sure was a scary thing and thankfully cell phones worked, and they got to the ambulance in time. I don't think Jerry had much longer.

Glad to hear he's ok. What'd the helicopter ride cost?

 

[StruttinAnRuttin]

I haven't had any run-in's with rattlers although I have heard them rattling a couple times in rocky areas I was walking through (North Central PA). I'm very cautious and alert everytime I'm in the woods and I wear snake proof boots up to my knees.

 

[hightine]

I've had two close encounters, one which I did step on and the other I would have if I wouldn't have looked down.

The one I stepped on was about an 18 yellow phase. I was walking slowly on a mid-August day and my foot just began to touch it, saw movement, and I jumped back. It was shedding and didn't strike.

The other was a big black phase in early August and was coiled right on the trail and didn't rattle. I was about 4 feet from it when I saw it and it was ready to strike. It got the juices flowin. Here's a cellphone pic.

80% of the ones I run into, rattle. Watch yer step and don't step anywhere you can't see like over a log or near a rock that they could be under. Rocks (and railroad tracks) hold heat and the snakes love them as the sun falls.

I've only seen one copperhead in my life and about 20 rattlers. They are on my mind almost every step I take.