![]() If you are hiking in a popular area then your best bet is the former option. Hiking Solo: If you are hiking solo and have no cell phone (or at least no coverage) you are left with a decision to make. If there is no phone service and you are hiking in a group, one of the members should walk out and seek medical assistance ASAP.ġ0. If you are a long distance from civilization and have cell phone service, call Emergency services and seek medical advice. If you are close to a trailhead, slowly walk out and then seek medical attention immediately.ĩ. Firm, but not too tight, as you need to allow for swelling.Ĩ. If possible, immobilize the bitten limb with a splint. Do not drink alcohol or caffeine, which can speed the rate at which your body absorbs venom.ħ. Remove any jewelery in case of swelling.Ħ. The value of Extractor Pumps is questionable at best, and their use is not recommended by snakebite experts.ĥ. Do not use antiquated methods such as cutting the area, sucking out the poison or applying a tourniquet, all of which can potentially do more harm than good.Ĥ. Definitely no “ group selfies” I was going to put a little smiley face here, but I suspect there have been numerous yahoos that have actually done this.ģ. This would probably be a good time to use the zoom. If the snake is still in view and you aren’t sure of its species, make a mental note of any distinguishing characteristics, or take a photo of it for identification purposes. Stay calm: People are more likely to go into shock from fear and agitation than they are from the actual bite itself.Ģ. Here are ten tips on what to do if bitten by a snake:ġ. Nonetheless, there are a handful of widely accepted steps that the victim can take irrespective of their geographic location. As a consequence, certain First Aid recommendations for snake bite are country or region-specific (see Treatment in Australia below). Whilst taking a pee in the middle of the night, put on some footwear and carry a headlamp/torch.Ĭottonmouth | Big Cypress National Preserve | Florida Trail, 2012.ĭifferent snakes produce different types of venom. Footwear: Wear shoes/boots rather than sandals when hiking in snake country. Trekking Pole / Staff: In conditions such as those mentioned above, it is handy to have a trekking pole/sturdy stick in order to push back vegetation as you are moving along.Ħ. Hand Placement: As with your feet, try not to put your hands anywhere you cannot see (e.g. These items won’t completely protect you from snake bite, but they can reduce the amount of venom that is injected.Ĥ. If the path is overgrown or you are bushwhacking off-trail, it is a good idea to wear long, loose-fitting pants or gaiters. Clothing: The majority of snake bites are to the ankle/lower leg area, followed by the hands (see below). A snake may be taking a siesta on the other side.ģ. When crossing logs/blowdowns, whenever possible step on, rather than over obstacles. Watch your Step: Without being paranoid, pay attention to the trail ahead of you. The goal being to encourage the snake to depart on its own terms, while doing everything you can to avoid being perceived as a threat.Ģ. Note that as a general rule, most snakes can strike a distance of half their body length give yourself at least double or triple that. If there is no way to bypass it, stomp your feet from a safe distance. This will only serve to agitate the snake, and possibly trigger a defensive response. Don’t throw rocks, prod at it with a stick, or try to pick it up. In the event that this does not occur, let it be and go around it. If you spot a snake on the trail, stop where you are and give it time to move on. Wide Berth: Most snakes will slither off when they feel the vibrations of your footsteps. Listed below are six safety tips that can help in minimizing the likelihood of snakebite:ġ. Keep your wits about you, take the necessary precautions and the chances of being bitten are remote. Snake bites generally occur due to human carelessness or lack of awareness. Put yourself in their skin if someone was about to step on you, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to prevent it from happening? That being said, snakes will protect themselves if the need arises. Whether you’re walking down the trail, sleeping under the stars or taking a sneaky number two behind a not-quite-big-enough bush, snakes want to avoid a potential encounter just as much as you do. Snakes aren’t interested in biting hikers. Rattlesnake | Pacific Crest Trail, Mojave Desert, CA, USA, 2007 The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks.Subjective Participant or Objective Observer?.A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family.Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition).
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