Jun
22
Snake bite kits from camping and recreation stores may not work; and they may do more harm than good. The best treatment for a snake bite is to seek nearby medical help. Obviously if one is hiking or camping, calling 911 may not be an immediate option. Therefore, use prevention and first aid to help the situation until you can be treated by a medical professional.
While enjoying the outdoors, wear long pants and boots taller than the ankle. Avoid tall brush, deep rock crevices and be careful where you sit when resting. If you see a snake, avoid them. One way to keep snakes away is to make plenty of noise; causing vibrations while walking. This will keep the sometimes scare deadly rattle snakes away.
If you are one of the 7,000 to 8,000 yearly victims of venomous snake bites; the pit viper family, rattlesnake, being the most common, here are some tips that may be more helpful than a $10 snake-bite kit.
Get away from the snake and call 911 on the cell phone. When you call 911 from a cell phone, the call often lands in a regional center. A call-taker in a far-away city or county may answer your call. To get help to you, there are two pieces of information the call-taker needs to know (10 which city you’re calling from and (2) what type of emergency. Wireless carriers are required to complete 911 calls, even when the phone is not activated. Any phone that turns on and can receive a signal is capable of making a 911 call. In the case of a snake bite, don’t wait until you experience symptoms, call immediately to get help, even if you feel okay at first.
In transit to the hospital or while waiting for help, do not elevate the bitten area—keep the bite below the level of the heart. Wash the area with warm water and soap. Remove constricting clothing and jewelry from the extremity. Watch for swelling. Follow the basics of first aid and monitor the snake bitten person for potential shock.
If the snake is killed, bring it to the nearby hospital. Local hospital staffs are likely familiar with snake bites and the more information you can provide, the better. Or, a digital picture to help medical crew identify the animal and assist in the treatment protocol. Rattle snakes have two fangs and the bite often has two holes. Medical crews in areas prone to snake bites can often identify the animal just from the wound so don’t spend time gathering the corpse or shooting a spread for National Geographic.
These tips may be more useful than the snake bite kits which usually include a scalpel, a suction device and a constriction band to be tied around the limb to slow the spread of the venom. Get help fast is the most critical action item. Medical professionals are not in favor of cutting the skin which could cause more problems. The consensus is that a constriction band may help, but it must be loose enough to fight a finger in to avoid cutting off circulation. The suction devices are under debate; there is no evidence that the amount of the venom that is sucked out is clinically significant. Research studies show that only 1% to 2% of venom was removed in a mock trial. The jury is still out on the suction devices and producers of the product say leaving the syringe-shaped plunger that creates the vacuum for 10 to 15 minutes works to extract the venom. Most would argue using precautionary measures to reduce the risk of a snake bite and seeking immediate professional help are the best courses of action to take.
Oct
2
Tips For Cold Weather and the Great Outdoors
Filed Under Camping | Comments Off
Cold weather is just around the corner and here are some tips for dealing with the cold while enjoying the great outdoors this fall. If your hiking for a day or it’s a weekend camping trip don’t be caught off guard by the cold!
- A wool stocking cap that can be pulled down over your ears is still the best protection from cold weather conditions.
- Wear dark underwear. In cold climates it is said to absorb more body heat keeping you warmer. And it’s dark color makes them dry quicker in the sun after washing.
- A large cotton bandanna can be a great utilitarian item for outdoor uses. Use it as a washcloth, towel, napkin, dish cloth and more.
- Always carry a whistle. It is one of the most important items you can have if you find yourself in a search and rescue situation. A whistle is much louder than the human voice when shouts for help may not be heard.
- Many don’t realize that adding a tent’s fly can substantially increase the strength of your tent. If you don’t need the rain or snow protection add your fly in high wind conditions.
