Amador County – Two rattlesnake bites have been reported so far this year, and the Amador County Health and Human Services office is urging residents to keep an eye out for the critters as we head into the summer season. This week, two people were seen at the Sutter Amador Hospital emergency room for rattlesnake bites. Last year, there were two rattlesnake encounters in the land surrounding the Health and Human Services building alone. “While some bites result from deliberate attempts to harass or capture a rattlesnake, many bites result from surprise encounters, with hands, feet and ankles as the most common sites,” said the department in a release. The department reminds residents that “many snakebites can be prevented by using a few common sense rules.” These include never walking barefoot, staying on paths and trails, using caution in water areas where snakes may be resting or swimming, checking stumps and logs carefully before sitting down, shaking out sleeping bags and using a walking stick which the snake could strike instead of you. The department also warns residents not to keep rattlesnakes as pets. “Many bites occur when people, usually intoxicated males in their 20’s, tease their pet rattlers,” says the release. It is rare for a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake bite victim to die. Statistics say more people actually die from wasp or bee stings. If a bite occurs, calm the victim, wash the area with soap or water, keep the limb in a neutral position, and transport the victim to the nearest emergency facility. You should not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck out the venom, let the victim drink alcohol, or pack the wound in ice. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – Two rattlesnake bites have been reported so far this year, and the Amador County Health and Human Services office is urging residents to keep an eye out for the critters as we head into the summer season. This week, two people were seen at the Sutter Amador Hospital emergency room for rattlesnake bites. Last year, there were two rattlesnake encounters in the land surrounding the Health and Human Services building alone. “While some bites result from deliberate attempts to harass or capture a rattlesnake, many bites result from surprise encounters, with hands, feet and ankles as the most common sites,” said the department in a release. The department reminds residents that “many snakebites can be prevented by using a few common sense rules.” These include never walking barefoot, staying on paths and trails, using caution in water areas where snakes may be resting or swimming, checking stumps and logs carefully before sitting down, shaking out sleeping bags and using a walking stick which the snake could strike instead of you. The department also warns residents not to keep rattlesnakes as pets. “Many bites occur when people, usually intoxicated males in their 20’s, tease their pet rattlers,” says the release. It is rare for a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake bite victim to die. Statistics say more people actually die from wasp or bee stings. If a bite occurs, calm the victim, wash the area with soap or water, keep the limb in a neutral position, and transport the victim to the nearest emergency facility. You should not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck out the venom, let the victim drink alcohol, or pack the wound in ice. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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