What to Do if a Rattlesnake Bites You and You Don’t Have Cell Service on an Idaho Hike

Idaho has an abundance of hiking trails to explore during the summer months, but being prepared when exposed to wildlife and areas with no cell service will help you have a good time.

Hiking in the Boise Foothills and beyond can be exciting but requires preparation before venturing into the wilderness. There are 12 snake species in Idaho, including the Western rattlesnake and prairie rattlesnake, Idaho’s two venomous snakes.

It’s possible you could end up in the Idaho wilderness without cell phone service and surrounded by potentially dangerous snakes. So what will you do if you get bitten?

Below you’ll find tips on how to avoid the snake in the first place, how to prepare for your hike — and then what to do if the worst happens:

In the U.S., roughly 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes yearlY. To prevent a snake bite from happening when you’re out on a hike, below are some tips to consider from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Watch where you step Avoid wandering in the dark When going over fallen trees or large rocks, inspect the surrounding areas to make sure there are no snakes

Be cautious when climbing rocks or gathering firewood Shake out sleeping bags before using them and inspect logs before sitting down

Hiking on a new trail can be exciting, making it easy to get lost or hurt in a no cell service area. It is essential to stay vigilant on designated trails.

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone 14
With iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you’re out of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. You can also use the Find My app to share your location with people via satellite.

How Emergency SOS via satellite works
Emergency SOS via satellite can help you connect with emergency services under exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching emergency services are available. If you call or text emergency services and can’t connect because you’re outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, your iPhone tries to connect you via satellite to the help that you need.
When you use a satellite connection, the experience is different than sending or receiving a message via cellular. In ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon, a message might take 15 seconds to send, and over a minute to send under trees with light or medium foliage. If you’re under heavy foliage or surrounded by other obstructions, you might not be able to connect to a satellite. Connection times can also be impacted by your surroundings, the length of your message, and the status and availability of the satellite network.
Emergency SOS via satellite is free for two years after the activation of iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro.
If your iPhone or Apple Watch detects a severe car crash or a hard fall and you’re unresponsive, an automatic Crash Detection or Fall Detection notification to emergency services may be communicated by your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro using Emergency SOS via satellite if you’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426

I have similar hiking areas and experiences with boots etc.

I almost stepped on a large copperhead. I was wearing the boots.

When my wife and I were in college, she almost stepped barefoot on a water moccasin. She was walking just ahead of me. As she was about to take a step, I saw its head just beyond a large rock, where she was about to step. Instinctively I grabbed her. No explanation was needed. She turned and ran in the other direction. Then I carried her piggy-back through the waters. I expected to feel a viper bite at any moment, but fortunately all was well.

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