Warning: We aren't experts on Rattlesnakes or their bites.
This is just info we're compiling and trying to refine.
Calm the victim and transport to the nearest emergency facility.

  Call 1-800-876-4766
California Poison Control System
anytime, anyplace in California



BASICS
Over 8,000 people are bitten by poisonous snakes in the United States each year. On average, fewer than 10 snakebite deaths are reported. More people die from wasp and bee stings than from snakebites. Still, venomous snakes must be considered dangerous and even non-fatal bites can cause severe pain and long lasting tissue damage.

All of Southern California is rattlesnake territory and everyone should keep that in mind whether working around home or venturing into open space. Many snakebites wouldn't occur if victims simply avoided contact with the snake when they see it. Many are victims because they try to pick up the snake or get close to it for a better view, triggering the snake's basic survival instinct bite. If a snake is encountered, leave it alone. Given a chance, the snake will leave. It has no intention of biting except if forced. Local animal control officers can be contacted for instructions on how to safely remove a snake that refuses to leave your property.

Remember, we have moved into and built our homes in the snake's habitat and we must learn to live with them. They are an important link in the environment, helping to keep rodent population down.

There are four species of poisonous snakes in the United States. The Copperhead, Water Moccasin and Rattlesnake belong to a group known as pit vipers. They get this title due their highly specialized venom apparatus which include two long hinged fangs and a pair of extremely sensitive innervated pits which are located between their eyes and nostrils. These pits are "heat detectors" used for hunting which are so sensitive that blindfolded snakes have been able to accurately follow warm-blooded prey (rodents) from a distance of 6 feet.

Rattlesnakes are the only type of venomous snake found in the wild in Southern California. Rattlesnakes are equipped for both day and night vision. They give birth to living, poisonous young. There are many types of Rattlesnakes in the Joshua Tree area:

The Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox )
Also referred to as the Western Diamondback, found in the southeastern portions of Southern California, particularly in Eastern San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. Can become quite nasty when provoked. The Diamondback is responsible for most deaths due to snakebite in the U.S.

The Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes laterorepens)
An often "hidden" rattlesnake, found throughout the desert areas of the state. Named for its unusual side-sliding movements which leave "J" patterns in the sand. When the day gets hot, the Sidewinder buries itself in the sand to keep cool, leaving just its eyes exposed which are protected by horn-like growths. Neither of the Sidewinder or the Timber Rattler are easily discovered until the passer-by is well within striking distance.

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis helleri)
This snake is found in coastal areas and on Santa Catalina Island.

Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber )
This rattlesnake has a limited range and is found primarily in coastal and mesa areas of San Diego County. It is actually a Mexican snake with a range that extends over all of Baja California and most offshore Mexican islands.

Southwester Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus)
Found on the western and eastern slopes of Southern California mountain ranges and in the desert southeast portion of the state.

Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus]
In California, this snake is limited to the high desert terrain of the Mojave Desert.



Avoiding Rattlesnakes and Preventing Bites
Hands, feet and ankles are the most common sites for rattlesnake bites. Using some common sense rules can prevent most snakebites.

1. Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking in the rough.
Always wear hiking boots.

2. Always stay on paths. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush.

3. Use a walking stick when hiking. A snake may strike the stick instead of you.

4. Most snakes are inactive and hide for protection. Because a motionless rattlesnake in its natural habitat is almost impossible to see, always be careful where you put your hands and feet. Look for concealed snakes before picking up rocks, sticks or firewood. Check carefully around rocks, stumps, logs, shrubs or other large objects before sitting on, stepping over or otherwise disturbing them, as a snake may be resting underneath or looking for food. Walk around these obstacles instead. Look closely at the ground before crossing over or under fences.

5. When climbing, always look before putting your hands in a new location. Snakes can climb walls, trees and rocks and are frequently found at high altitudes.

6. Never grab "sticks" or "branches" while swimming.
Rattlesnakes are excellent swimmers.

7. Baby rattlesnakes are poisonous biters! Leave them alone.

8. Never hike alone. Always have a buddy to help in case of an emergency.
Learn basic life-saving methods.

9. Don't handle fresh killed snakes. It can still bite.

10. Never tease a snake to see how far it can strike. You can be several feet from the snake and still be within striking distance.

11. Don't keep rattlesnakes as pets. The majority of rattlesnake bites occur when people (usually intoxicated young men) tease or play with their "pet" rattlesnake.

12. Teach children to respect snakes and to leave snakes alone.
Curious children who pick up snakes are frequently bitten.

13. Always give snakes the right of way!

14. Rattlesnakes don't always rattle before striking. Most rattlesnakes do not rattle unless frightened or endangered, so don't depend on the sound warning.

15. Wear loose-fitting pants and leather boots when outdoors or hiking. Leather boots provide protection for the feet and ankles. Low-cut shoes or sandals should never be worn in rattlesnakes country, especially at night when they are out hunting for prey. as rattlesnake fangs can easily penetrate cloth, loose clothing minimizes the likelihood that the snake fangs will reach the skin if a bite occurs.

16. Learn to identify rattlesnakes . All snakes with pointed tails in California are non-venomous. Even newborn rattlesnakes have a rattle segment called a "button" at the end of their tails (never a pointed tail), and adults may have several rattles. Rattlesnakes also have flat and broad, or triangular-shaped heads. The pupils (black portion) of a rattlesnake's eyes are cat-like or elliptical, whereas non-venomous snakes have round pupils.

17. Stay at least a body length away from any snake you encounter until you are certain it is not a rattlesnake. Although rattlesnakes normally strike only 1/2 their body length, they can strike farther if they are facing downhill. Most rattlesnakes are not aggressive, but they may come towards you inadvertently when seeking escape cover.




THE STRIKE / BITE

Rattlesnakes, before striking, are typically coiled except for the forward part of the body which is raised and the rattle which is often buzzing. Rattlesnakes typically strike up to a distance equal to 1/3 to 1/2 of their overall length, although longer reaches are possible.

The sound made by a rattler is caused by the clicking together of the rattle segments when the tail is vibrated. This sound has been described as similar to the crackling sound of frying fat. It should be noted that when the rattle is wet, it makes no noise.

Pit vipers generally inject large amounts of venom into hunting bites, but often little or no venom into defensive bites. Up to 25% of pit viper bites in humans are non-venomous "dry bites". A provoked and angered snake, however, might not only "load up" to be quite venomous, but may also strike several times! The severity of a rattlesnake bite is dependent on a number of factors, including the size and type of snake, the amount of venom injected, the location of the bite on the body and the health of victim. Except for the Mojave rattlensnake, the venoms of the rattlesnakes found in Southern California are similar. All produce damage to the tissue in the bitten area (usually an extremity) and also affect the blood clotting system. The venom of the Mojave rattlesnake appears to cause more effects on the nervous system and less local tissue damage at the bite site.

Nationwide, there are over 800 cases of rattlesnake bites reported annually to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Of these reported bites, only one to two cases per year result in death of the patient. Although complications such as possible blood clotting problems, allergic reactions to treatment, infection and shock may develop, the majority of rattlesnake bites are successfully treated with as little as two to three days of hospitalization.


SYMPTOMS of a rattlesnake bite

A rattlesnake may strike without injecting venom, inflicting what is called a "dry bite." Even though the victim is not poisoned, the painful bite can still become infected. All rattlesnake bites require medical attention in an emergency room.

If a rattlesnake injects venom into the wound, a variety of symptoms can develop:
Fang marks (one or more)
Pain, swelling and discoloration in the bitten area
Tingling or numbness around the mouth or tongue
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and dizziness
Sweating and/or chills
Bleeding at the site
Changes in the heart rate and blood pressure

Other symptoms can include excessive salivation, thirst, swollen eyelids, blurred vision, muscle spasms and unconsciousness. Rattlesnake venom also interferes with the ability of the blood to clot properly.


FIRST AID AFTER A BITE
"The best first aid for rattlesnake bites is your car keys."

Instead of trying to perform ineffective first-aid procedures, drive the victim to either a health care facility or to a telephone where help can be summoned. A rattlesnake bite is a serious event, but by staying calm, following good procedures and using common sense, it doesn't have to be a fatal event. In fact, Rattlesnake bites are generally not fatal. The signs and symptoms of poisoning often take several hours to develop. The true treatment is rattlesnake antivenin which must be administered in a medical facility, so the most important aspect of first aid is to arrange transportation of the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible. All other considerations are secondary. Reliable antivenins are available at virtually all medical facilities and proper prehospital care can lessen the toxicity of the event and resulting tissue damage.

Because most Californians live in rattlesnake country, a snakebite emergency plan should be developed before it is needed. If you are less than one hour from the nearest emergency room, initial treatment is relatively simple:

1. Calm the victim. Get safely away from the snake, and have someone call 911 (or the emergency number in your area). The less the victim moves the bitten site, the less likely the venom will be profused and cause damage.

2. Have the victim lie down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Keep the limb immobilized. If practical, splint the limb.

3. Treat for shock and preserve body heat.

4. Remove any rings, bracelets, boots, or anything else that might reduce circulation when swelling occurs. (It WILL swell.)

5. Apply a light constricting band about 2" above and below the bite, however never place the bands on either side of a joint (such as above and below the knee or elbow). This band should be made up of wide, soft material, which could be a handkerchief or shredded clothing. The band should only be as tight as the band the nurse applies when giving a blood test.
NOTE: The purpose of constricting bands is to restrict lymphatic flow, not blood, so they should not be too tight. Check pulses below the bands and readjust them as necessary when they tighten due to swelling.

6. Gently wash the area with soap and water (if available). Apply a cool wet cloth over the bite.

7. Transport the victim to a doctor as soon as possible by carrying them, or, if the victim is stable, by walking very slowly. If the victim has to walk out, sit calmly for 20-30 minutes to let the venom localize at the site, then proceed calmly to the nearest source of help and try to avoid unnecessary exertion which will stimulate circulation of the poison.

8. Get the victim to definitive medical care for antivenin, which will provide the greatest relief from the toxic effects of the bite.

Severe symptoms can be life-threatening and must be treated with antivenin, a prescription medication. Antivenin is given intravenously with fluids. Other therapy may include numerous laboratory tests, antibiotics and an update on the tetanus shot, if needed.


ACTIONS TO AVOID after a bite

The following treatments will NOT help the victim and are dangerous.

1. DO NOT cut the bite with a knife or razor.
The additional tissue damage may actually increase the diffusion of the toxins throughout the body. Cutting the wound can cause excessive bleeding.

2. DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
Such action can block circulation, which can result in gangrene and eventual loss of the limb due to amputation.

3. DO NOT suck out the venom by mouth.
Because human mouths are full of bacteria, sucking the venom from the wound can cause infection, making treatment more difficult. You can try the suction cup in a snakebite kit if it doesn't delay other needed treatment. Suctioning seldom provides any measurable advantages.

4. DO NOT apply cold water and/or ice packs to the bite area.
Studies indicate that application of cold or ice makes the injury much worse. Such action can block circulation, which can result in gangrene and eventual loss of the limb due to amputation.

5. DO NOT let the victim drink alcohol.

6. DO NOT apply electric shock.

7. Do NOT give painkillers, such as aspirin, tylenol or advil to the vicitim.



Have an emergency plan

If you will be more than one hour from an emergency facility, your emergency snakebite plan becomes more complicated. You need to know the following information:

Where is the nearest hospital emergency room?
High Desert Medical Services (760) 366-3711
How long will it take 9-1-1 emergency responders to arrive on the scene?
How close will you be to a fire department, park ranger, highway patrol, sheriff or Coast Guard station?

If you will be a great distance from emergency assistance, you should:
1. Always hike or camp with a buddy who will be able to go for help.
2. Take along a portable phone.
3. Notify people where you will be and check in with them.


Mechanical suction for 30 minutes with a reverse syringe (e.g., Sawyer Extractor ) may help if you begin suction within five minutes after the bite occurs. If you are going to be in the wilderness, it couldn't hurt to carry a Sawyer Extractor® snakebite kit. These snakebite kits can be bought at most sporting goods stores. Each kit contains a syringe-like device that exerts one atmosphere of reverse pressure, applying suction to the bite. The device extracts the venom from the wound without the complications or bleeding or wound contamination. It is important to know that the Sawyer Extractor® may remove15-20% of the venom injected into the wound. Using a Sawyer Extractor® kit is definitely not a substitute for treatment in an emergency room. Read the kit directions BEFORE a snakebite occurs. This device has never been shown to prevent or lessen the effects of a rattlesnake bite and its use should never delay taking the victim to a hospital.