Posted on 05/05/2009 12:22:16 PM PDT by JoeProBono
PHOENIX -- Banner Poison Control Center treated four patients this past weekend for rattlesnake bites. There have been eight victims in the past week.
Patrick Hotchkiss of Quartzsite, Ariz., was one of the victims. He had just stepped off his porch Sunday afternoon when he was struck.
"I felt two sharp things, sort of akin to piece of broken glass that snaps off," said Patrick Hotchkiss, from his hospital bed at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital.
Hotchkiss said this particular snake was about 2-and-a-half feet long and did not rattle prior to striking.
"I should've been more vigilant. Usually I am," said Hotchkiss.
The snake bit him on the right heel. His ankle swelled to twice its normal size. He’s in some pain, but doctors said he’ll recover.
Some of the other victims were gardening or hiking. One child was playing in a yard.
But others got closer than they should have.
Doctors said one man was bitten on the hand after trying to pet a snake. They said the man had been drinking prior to the incident.
“We've seen several people who've tried petting the snakes, and even on occasion people trying to kiss the snake. Any of those things usually result in the patient getting bitten," said Dr. Michael Levine, a toxicologist at Banner Poison Control Center.
Doctors said it’s important to call for help or get to a hospital after a rattlesnake bite.
“Typically the snake's envenomation can cause a lot of muscle problems and can cause a lot of bleeding problems," said Dr. Levine.
Doctors also want to dispel some common myths surrounding rattlesnake bites.
They said do not use a tourniquet to restrict blood flow. Do not cut the bite site or try to suction out the venom. Also, do not try to capture the snake and bring it to the hospital. Identification of the snake is not necessary for treatment.
They wake up honery and hungry after hibernating.
Truism about snake bites.
Bites to the ankles or feet are accidents, bites on the hand are usually drunk.
Heck, I'd prefer running up on rattlesnakes to water moccasins any day of the week though. Moccasins are bold and curious, I've had one come right up to, and nudge, our truck tire while the engine was idling. The vibrations attracted him over to us.
that ma-ma-ma-makes me happy!
8’ 10” Dang! I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near that sucker.
Years ago, a friend and I were “hunting” the backwoods of Sherman, TX when we happened upon a large pile of rusted metal. He was on top of it ... I was right by it. I saw one rattler coil up and start rattling about 2 yards in front of me. Then they all started. It was deafening. I told my buddy not to move. Before I knew it he was running straight toward me. He knocked me back about 3 feet and started blasting. My 410 was empty and there was a snake right by my foot. As soon as I got my gun loaded, I wasted that one. We took out a few more before we finally ran outa there. Scared the crap outa me. Haven’t like those critters ever since.
LOL!!!
You’ve obviously never hunted around Hampton, SC.
Jeeesh, look at those snags!
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