Rattle Snakes
My wife and I are going to be slow poke RVing for 8 to 10 weeks in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Be leaving mid June. I've spent the last couple of hours on internet searches, and I searched...
Forum Discussion
JimK-NY wrote:Desert Captain wrote:
I have lived in southern Arizona ..... where encountering them, especially in the spring, was nearly a daily event {often saw half a dozen and had to move 2 or 3 a shift}. ..........
If someone is struck get them directly to medical facilities ASAP. No cowboy nonsense {don't make cuts and try to suck out the venom, apply ice or a tournequet - just transport them ASAP}.
.....
:C
How many people were bitten? Did anyone die?
In the first 9 months of 2017 more than 150 people were bitten just in Arizona. Nationwide the yearly totals run between 4 and 5,000 though only 5 deaths were reported last year.
If you are thinking these numbers are not all that bad... think again. Google snake bites and take a look at photos of what happen to living tissue following a poisonous snake bite. The venom quickly destroys tissue starting shortly after the envenomization {snake bite}.
Incredible swelling and pain are quickly followed by the dying tissue turning black and no, it never heals or grows back. The anti venom often runs more than $500 a dose and many need a couple of dozen doses {depending on the specific degree of the enveomization - mild, moderate or severe}. Some rattlesnakes are far more deadly than others but your run of the mill Wesern Diamondback {the most common by far} are very toxic.
A moments carelessness can lead to serious medical complications. Just be careful out there folks and do not underestimate the potential for disaster.
