Sally Young
yo-sal@cox.net
Snakes top the list of the most feared animals in the world. Although snakes think the same of humans, trail runners should know how to avoid them and what to do in case of a bite.
Snakes hibernate in underground dens that they return to for generations, creating an Indian Jones scene of hundreds in entanglement. Since they are cold-blooded and become active at temperatures above 70°F, start to look for them as spring turns to summer, especially on sunbathed flat surfaces, including roads.
What you will need most for a snakebite is a set of car keys, a vehicle, and cell phone to advance notice to a medical facility. Complications are avoided by prompt treatment. Stay calm: venom is the snake's lunch money and it may not want to waste it on you, so the bite may be dry.
Remove jewelry before swelling sets in. Immobilize the bitten area; wrap a wide cloth bandage about two inches above the bite, between the bite and the heart, as tight as you would for a sprained ankle, to prevent the muscles from pumping and spreading the poison. Seek medical help for non-venomous snakebites as well to prevent infection and complications.
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