What are the best ways to prevent snake bites? What to do if bit in the middle of nowhere?


Question:
I'm not really sure which section to put this in, please suggest a section to post this in so I can post one in the correct section. I love mountain biking, and I bike very frequently. I live in California, so there are rattlesnakes in the parks I bike in. Last time my brother almost ran over one. What are good ways to make it almost impossible to get bitten by a snake? Can snakes bite through jeans? If I get bitten, what can I do? The nearest road would be a few miles away, and if I bike there my heart will be pumping hard, spreading the poison around. Also, what times of the day are snakes less active? I know they aren't as active in the winter.

Answers:
You can just avoid snakes, that's all. Rattlesnakes can bite through shoes and clothes, although obviously you'll be more protected if you have jeans on.

I can't imagine mountain biking in jeans, though.

The best treatment for getting bitten by a snake is to get to an ER as soon as possible. Don't suck the poison out, don't make cuts, don't do anything but get to an ER where you can be given antivenin. If you have to bike or walk, then you have to bike or walk. Sitting out in the wilderness after being snakebit will not help you.

Snakes are cold-blooded and less active during temperature extremes.
snake bites are nearly impossible to prevent, but here is a list of ways to deal with them.
Has it ever happened to you?
That you left the car keys
inside a car you just locked?
(There still are cars like that).


What did you do to prevent
that from happening again?
In my case, I keep a spare key.
In my wallet. And in my wife's too.


My question...
would you rather go to an ER
before or after being bitten by a snake?


If before, ask the interns or nurses
about packing (or buying) anti-venom.
And about how to administer it as well.
And not only for snakes, but for
spiders and scorpions too.


Then it is likely you do not have
to freakingly freak-out getting
to an ER. At after the fact.


You pack water and food,
do you not? What reason?
It is the same for anti-venom.
It is wise to keep your eyes open, know what the snakes look like, and avoid them. There is always the potential when in snake enviornments. Having a cell phone/walkie talkie would help. I carry a "stun gun" when out and about with snakes. If bitten, using the stun gun at the site of the bite, is shown to metastasise the poison. Research has been done on this subject. Hardest part is "zapping" you self with the stun gun.
Coils on a car have also been used.

I have a article from Outdoor Life regarding Snakebites and stun-guns.
http://www.industryinet.com/~ruby/snakeb...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0...

Hope you find this helpful.
More Questions & Answers...
  • How can I get rid of a scar from a burn?
  • I hurt my ankle badly, but did not sprain or break it, can i make it better by 6 30 pm today?
  • Should a person combine ibuprofen 800 mg tablet with oxycodone 5mg tab?
  • Trapped nerve in my back but cant take pain killers or muscle relaxants, any ideas??
  • My broken foot still hurts, it's been since April.?
  • Ouch..Help!?
  • Has Anyone Else Noticed?
  • Pain in Bottom Front Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Pulled?
  • Gall stones are crippling . ive finally got the operation but will my knees stop hurting ever?
  • The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
    The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
    Copyright © 2007 YouQA.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

    Health Resources