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TRI-CITY HERALD (Kennewick, Washington) 11 August 03 Snake bites at average this summer (Megan Patrick Herald)
It's been a hot summer, but that doesn't mean rattlesnakes have been more of a problem.
Snake bite-wise, it's been a pretty average summer, say Tri-City hospital administrators.
So far this season, Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco has reported one bite, and Kennewick General Hospital reported three.
But only one of the four who were bitten needed antivenom treatment.
It's a good thing Southeastern Washington has only Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, rather than their more potent Eastern and Western Diamondback counterparts, said Mike Livingston, a wildlife biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
"The Pacific rattler is a pretty dumb snake," he said. "Just because it bites doesn't mean it will envenomate you. It forgets about half the time."
Generally, unless there is intense, burning pain and swelling around a snake bite, venom probably wasn't injected, according to the Palm Beach Herpetological Society at the University of Florida.
And Jeff Bernatowicz, a wildlife biologist for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, said it's almost unheard of for a snake to attack a person casually walking by unless it's surprised.
He advised people who stumble upon a snake to stay calm and avoid it. Snakes usually won't attack unless they are poked or molested, Bernatowicz said.
"There are two types of people who get bit -- a young kid who can't leave well enough alone, or a young, intoxicated male," he said.
But if you are otherwise unlucky, there are a few simple things to do, or not to do, to stay safe.
First and foremost, stay calm and warm, and get to a hospital as soon as possible.
Most people who panic end up further hurting themselves, said Greg Brown, emergency room medical director for Kadlec Medical Center.
According to the Herpetological Society, there is an excellent chance of survival and, in most cases, plenty of time to get treatment. Of the 7,000 snake bites reported last year, only 15 were fatal.
Brown cautioned against using a tourniquet or the "cut and suck" method.
"Basically, don't try any of those historical Western movie things for snake bite treatment. They usually end up doing more harm than good," he said.
Bite victims also should remove jewelry and any other constrictive items because swelling can progress rapidly. And keep the stricken limb below heart level if possible.
Never ice or cut the wound, or drink alcohol, which speeds the heart rate and reduces the body's defense system.
The best and only real treatment -- antivenom -- is in a hospital, Brown said.
There are two types of antivenom: Normal horse serum, which is cultivated in horses, and Crofab, a genetically engineered serum, said Bill Robertson, medical director at the Washington State Poison Center in Seattle.
In years past, there was a national shortage of Crofab, and hospitals were having trouble keeping the serum because of its steep cost and short shelf life, Brown said. That shortage is over now.
KGH administered the horse serum to the patient who required treatment earlier this month. But it sometimes causes serum sickness, Robertson said.
All three Tri-City hospitals keep one form of the serum stocked, administrators said. But the best advice is to be careful.
"These snakes aren't out there to get anybody," Robertson said. "The best kinds of bites are the ones that don't occur, so keep away from the alcohol when you're in snake country, and no kissing the snakes."
Snake bites at average this summer

I have going to have call up and comment a little on the "northern pacific rattlers are pretty dumb" comment, what the heck is that? Why are they dumb? That has nothing to do with envenomation. A rattler doesn't "forget to envenomate", maybe they simply are not try to "subdue" only trying to fend off unwanted attention. These are one of my absolute favorite rattlers. After that comment, I feel that they are now underappreciated in every aspect. What a joke, can't believe that guy is in charge of snakebites and makes an ignorant statement like that, I really want that guy taking care of me when I get bit. Sorry, just get upset when people have no appreciation of herps, especially when someone like that, who has seen the damage they can do first hand and still doesn't have respect for them.
Kevin

I'd have to say it's as ignorant (more hypocritical though) as someone selling venomoids and using the terms "appreciation" and "respect" in the same sentence when referring to venomous snakes. But then again, I guess OJ really loved his wife.
My .02 ( that's the beauty of the 1st)