·
Cut the bite (this can diffuse the
toxins further into the body)
·
Apply a tourniquet (could result in loss
of the limb, if done improperly)
·
Suck out the venom (doesn’t do anything)
·
Apply ice/ cold packs (could make injury
much worse)
Here in Michigan we have a few snakes that look like
Massasauga's at a glance, so it is important to know the differences so no snake
is harmed by mis-identification and fear.
Northern Water Snake Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtr736/6305499431/
What to do if you encounter a Massasauga in the
field, and what to do if you get bit:
The biggest problem with the Massasauga Rattlesnake
here in Michigan is that they have amazing camouflage and stay pretty quiet.
Meaning you basically are on top of them before you will hear a rattle, if they
rattle at all. Massasauga's are a shy species and prefer to hide or escape than
to bite, and will only do so if they are under extreme concern for themselves. The
good thing about this is snakes don't always inject venom when they bite because
venom is taxing for them to produce, and they sometimes will bite as a warning.
Interestingly enough, many bites don’t inject venom at all. Those are called
dry bites. However, if you are bitten, remain calm, move as little as possible,
and seek medical help immediately because you don’t know if the bite you just received
contained venom.
1. Stay
calm and remove yourself from the area. Assess whether you can walk to your car
and drive to a hospital in a quick (20-30 minutes) fashion or if you need to
call 911 and helped that way.
2. Try
not to move the bitten area; this will diffuse the venom through your system
quicker. Attempt to maintain body heat as much as possible.
3. Remove
anything that is restricting meaning rings, bracelets, shoes, etc. The area
will swell, that’s a guarantee.
4. Apply
a light constricting band (the purpose of this is to constrict lymphatic flow,
not blood flow). Use soft pliable material in a wide band above and below the
site of the bite.
Contacts for more information about snakebites: Michigan Poison Control Center(800) 222-1222 Detroit Zoological Institute(248) 398-0903
Safety tips:
1. Learn your snakes! Rattlesnakes can be easily identified from other harmless species. 2. DO NOT pick up snakes that you find unless you have identified them first. 3. DO NOT harass snakes, that included throwing rocks, sticks and other objects at them. This is many cases will cause the snake to become agitated and then bites will occur. 4. When you hear a rattle done panic and run (you could be right next to the snake). Stop immediately, and survey your surroundings. Locate the snake then remove yourself from the situation.
This is something as a hiker you can use generally, however I stress that learning your local snakes is always a better option. Here in Michigan we have few reptiles, and we owe it to them to understand and know what they look like/ can do to us. Photo Credit: http://www.hikepups.com/blog/index.php?id=1767391959848829380