Snakebites

[SHANEA]

I'm not familiar with the kits referred to by gatorbred,

You may have covered this before MountainDocDanny or you may not even want to weigh in on it, but, supposing I'm up on the South rim and get bit.  Since I don't generally hike alone, there is someone with me.  What would you suggest for a course of action.  Key word is "suggest", that way you can probably skirt any liability or malpractice issues.  
 :shock:

[chisos_muse]

I'm not familiar with the kits referred to by gatorbred,

You may have covered this before MountainDocDanny or you may not even want to weigh in on it, but, supposing I'm up on the South rim and get bit.  Since I don't generally hike alone, there is someone with me.  What would you suggest for a course of action.  Key word is "suggest", that way you can probably skirt any liability or malpractice issues.  
 :shock:

I'm no doctor, but my answer is get the hell off the rim as quickly as you can. Pinnacles is pretty well traveled and someone will find you.
It's all perspective. You can get hurt badly anywhere in the park.
Slipping and falling, whatever......if it's your time, go happy.
Keep in mind that most of the fatalities and injuries in the park are auto related.

[Hayduke]

What I've consistently been taught in Wilderness FA and Wilderness First Responder classes over the years is that the only snake bite kits worth having is a mechanical suction one such as the Sawyer Extractor. These work by creating a suction around the bite with the idea of removing venom and may be useful if applied in the first few minutes after a bite. But no cut-and-suck like you might see in the movies. And no cutting at all, for that matter.

[RichardM]

What I've consistently been taught in Wilderness FA and Wilderness First Responder classes over the years is that the only snake bite kits worth having is a mechanical suction one such as the Sawyer Extractor. These work by creating a suction around the bite with the idea of removing venom and may be useful if applied in the first few minutes after a bite. But no cut-and-suck like you might see in the movies. And no cutting at all, for that matter.

Check out this article on the Sawyer Extractor from the Rattle Snakes topic and you'll probably change your mind:
NOLS update on Sawyer Extractor

[Hayduke]

Check out this article on the Sawyer Extractor from the Rattle Snakes topic and you'll probably change your mind:
NOLS update on Sawyer Extractor

Thanks for pointing that out - you just made more room in my pack!

[trtlrock]

maybe the new owner in Lajitas can stock anti-venom in the building marked "Infirmary", which appears to be closed 24/7.  Actually, I think it just leads to an employee-only portion of the restaurant...where they do have refridgerators!

[BIBEARCH]

Great information from BIBEARCH.  I'm glad to hear y'all had good treatment and recoveries.  I didn't know the park had an ambulance service.  That brings up a good question:

If one of us is bitten at the park, what is the emergency number to call?  And where is the nearest hospital that has antivenom? This would be great information to carry with me on the next trip.

The main park phone number goes to an automated answering machine with the first option "..if this is an emergency, dial 9 now.."

During normal daytime hours, 8-5, the call will be directed to park dispatch. After hours, the call is directed to 911 in Alpine, who will in turn contact  someone either in the park or at Terlingua Medics.

The main park number now has a different recording that directs you to dial "4" for emergencies.

[madplanter]

.


here is an account of a bite from a
mottled rock rattlesnake that happened
to long time reptile collector John Hollister:

http://www.trans-pecos.us/snakes/bite.html


mp

[Peach]

Last trip to the park we went to one of the Rangers talks on snakes in the park.  It was great for my little girl to go.  They explained about the different snakes, poisonous and nonpoisonous.  Now of course she wants a snake as a pet....

I had my first encounter with a baby copperhead yesterday....decide d I'd get a spade out and chop it's head off.

[madplanter]

.


aw man,   poor baby viper.