![]() A common mistake is to approach a snake, which can end in a bite.Įxperts believe that on spotting a snake, you should stay at least three feet away as snakes usually cannot strike more than the length of half their body. Snakes are a force of nature and it's important you treat them as such! Seeing a snake in the wild is a rare experience and can be extremely rewarding if handled the right way. If anyone in your camp is showing any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. These will of course vary depending on the species of snake that bites you. Other symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and numbness, or tingling around the mouth, fingers, and scalp. ![]() Symptoms of a snake bite include pain and burning, followed by swelling and blistering. Call ahead to the paramedics to let them know you're coming so they can prep the necessary antivenom.ĭepending on where your focus is, a situation may arise where you are not aware that you have been bitten. You should return to your vehicle as quickly and calmly as possible and drive to the local hospital. It may also be useful to note the time of the bite. You should attempt to ID the snake, as this will be vital information for paramedics and doctors to have. If you like, you can press a light compression bandage to cover the bite, as some believe this can slow the spread of the venom. Keeping calm will reduce your heart rate and thus decrease the rate at which the poison travels around your body. Instead, you should first try to remain calm, or help the bitten person to remain calm. Do NOT attempt to cut at the bite to increase blood flow, as this also does not work and can cause the person to bleed out. You should NOT attempt to make a tourniquet as this can cause nerve damage. However, doing this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, it doesn't work, and it will just transfer the venom to a different person or a different part of the body. Historic advice is to attempt to suck out the poison yourself. It is important in these situations not to panic and to seek help immediately, as this is where common mistakes are made. Though you can do all you can to prepare, emergency situations do happen, and a bite may occur. If you are hiking alongside your camping, you should opt to wear fitted, sturdy walking shoes as these will provide you the most protection. Similarly, avoid wearing short pants, instead opt for long, loose trousers. Avoid walking around the campsite barefoot or in open-toed shoes, instead wear closed-toed covered shoes. Wearing the correct clothes to prevent a snakebite can be a crucial tactic. If you must camp in more rural areas, aim for open areas that are not under trees or near any long grass, sand, or rocky areas. Stick to main public campgrounds as much as possible. If you absolutely have to stray off the beaten track, it is best to carry a hiking stick (or even just a long stick) to check the ground in front of you is safe to step!Įqually, when looking to a place to pitch your tent, try to avoid the areas described above. You should also endeavor to avoid hot and rocky areas or particularly sandy patches, as this is another favorite hang out for snakes. Where possible, avoid areas that go through long grass as these will be the favorite spots for snakes. Snakes do not tend to like busy areas and so staying on the busy trails means you are less likely to encounter one. species as you encounter them as opposed to trying to remember them! Tip #2 - Stay to assigned trails/camping areas Taking a field guide on your walk with you is another useful hack - it allows you to I.D. By avoiding these areas, you may be able to avoid an encounter altogether. Alternatively, use the national parks website to see what snakes are in your area.īeyond knowing what snakes are about, it is important to know where you might encounter them. Doing your research by contacting a local biologist to ask about species in your area. Venomous snake species in the United States include rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, and coral snakes. Knowing where you are going and what species live there is very useful information to have on hand. Most incidents happen when campers run into snakes unprepared.
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