That's not a baby shaking that rattle

[kd]

I was trail running on South Fork Trail about 7:20pm last nioght and I ran up on a Diamondback Rattlesnake, 3' long positioned lengthwise on the middle of the trail. I put on the brakes and stopped about a stride behind him, and the snake appeared not to notice me. When I stepped to the side he gave a very loud shake of the tail and slithered off into the brush.

I few minutes earlier, I was mentally going over what I would do if bitten, never thinking it was a real possibility.

So what you you suggest... I was alone, about 3 miles from the parking lot where my car was parked. I was carying a cell phone and wearing sunglasses--- that was the extent of my preparedness.

-- If I had been bitten, was would have been my best course of action???

-Kevin

[Florian]

I would stop, try to get myself as calm as i could, and phone 911 for possible helicopter rescue. Getting to a hospital and antivenom fast is important. I know how much i'd HATE to require rescue and not get out on my own but i think rattlesnake bite is an exception.

-Florian

[magikwalt]

Back awhile ago I had an email exchange with Dr. Sean Bush of Venon ER fame. I described the remote nature of our hiking and often single person trips we make. I listed out the various snakebite remedies I was aware of and asked his advice. His reply was that snakebite remedies are useless to harmful. The Sawyer Snakebite Kit is at best a waste of money and probably harmful in most cases. He did have two pieces of gear we all should be carrying. A cellphone and a helicopter.

In this area of California, you are best served to get transported to Loma Linda Hospital as quickly as possible. It would be nice to have the snake or at least a picture of it. This aids in deciding which anti-venom to use. I just can't imagine having the composure to get out the camera after being bit. It sure as heck isn't worth being hit a second time trying to bring the snake.

He directed me to some of his study work and it was amazing who the most likely victims are and what they have in common. Adult males, attempting to catch or kill the snake, who have been drinking.

[friendowl]

i've been in your situation quite few times...snakes seems to always be where i need to go..

i think if i was bitten and alone, miles from the car my cell would probobly not work...im lucky like that....

i carry in my little med kit a "doobie"...for such emergencies....
id calmy puff one and when im calm enough so the venom dosnt pump thru me [faster] id make my way to cell reception or the ER..

I think its kind of nice of the snakes not to bite us as much as they could..
i've almost stepped on "sticks" too many times..i should have been bit already..but snakes dont want none of this

[kd]

Thanks guys,

Luckily, I only fit one of those 3 select criteria-- adult male.

Cell phone availability can be rather spotty on the mountain. What if that is not an option?

BTW- that shaking rattle is an excellent attention getting mechanism.

[Hikin_Jim]

Cell phone availability can be rather spotty on the mountain. What if that is not an option?

Cellphones just plain aren't reliable in the backcountry. A couple of options:

1. PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). A 406 MHz satellite beacon. SAR satellites continuously orbit the earth, pick up the signal, determine the position, determine the identity of the beacon owner (free registration with NOAA required), and alert the USAF Rescue Coordination Center. The Center then contacts local authorities (sheriff's dept, NPS, etc.) and notifies them of your identity, position, and that there's a SAR emergency. Great system. Developed for maritime industry. Time proven. Highly reliable. No subscription fees. DOWNSIDE: units are expensive (at least $400.00 last I checked) and only indicate emergency. However, as their popularity grows, prices are coming down.
2. SPOT A static text messaging device using the satellite phone system. Not a proven technology. Doesn't work well in tree cover, canyons, and some remote regions of the globe. All text is static (in other words, you can't text like on a cell phone, you have to choose from one of several predefined messages). Cost over time is generally higher than a PLB due to annual subscription fees. No guarantee SPOT service will stay in business (whereas the PLB system is run locally by US Gov't and internationally by respective foreign governments). UPSIDE: Can indicate "less than emergency" situations and can be used to track a person continuously if the unit can link to the satellite phone network. That's a fairly big if.
3. Satellite phone. Expensive. Notorious for not being able to get a signal. Doesn't work well in tree cover, canyons, and some remote regions of the globe. UPSIDE: Infinitely customizable messages.
4. "Ham" Radio. Sometimes referred to as a CB (Citizens Band) radio. Depending on location, radio repeators (which relay your message on) may be accessible which allows use in backcountry areas. Not 100% reliable. Limited by "line of sight" issues to varying degrees depending on wavelength, xmission power, etc. Owner/operator must pass an exam and obtain an FCC "Ham" license. My impression is that So. Cal. has pretty good repeator coverage. Can't say much more; I'm not well informed on this point.

I know a couple of people who have bought a PLB, myself included. I've heard very mixed results with SPOT. Satellite phones aren't common for hikers/backpackers mainly due to their expense. Not sure how common Ham radios are among hikers, but in 40+ years I've only seen them once or twice.

A PLB seemed the best option to me in terms of ease of use, price, and reliability. I bought mine after an individual on this board spent 3 winter days trapped in the backcountry without overnight equipment due to an injury. Said individual could have been rescued in the afternoon of the first day if a PLB had been available. Said individual's life was in definite danger due to hypothermia during those days. (Life in danger = bad in terms of the whole good bad thing for those unclear on this point) All of the sudden $400 didn't seem all that expensive (it certainly gives my wife peace of mind). I've personally been involved (either myself or immediate family) in four SAR situations, in all but one of which (individual died on impact) a PLB could have been employed. In one case in 1984 where I spent three days in the wilderness when I had intended only to dayhike, a PLB would have made a huge difference.

Regardless of whether you carry a cell or one of the above electronic devices, it's still a good idea to file a detailed hike plan and leave it with someone with whom you check in with upon your return. It's also not a bad idea to hike with someone, but I know many (the majority?) find the occasional solo to be very worthwhile. Just for myself, I no longer do winter or significant XC hikes solo. If I'm on trail or other identifiable route (e.g. Skyline, Sid Davis "trail," Tamarack Trail, etc.) my whole trip in decent weather, then I still do solos, even occasionally an overnighter.

Just some (rather off the cuff) thoughts,

HJ

[zippetydude]

Hi kd. Jim's right on it with his post. I got a PLB as a direct result of repeated encounters just like yours. They're not cheap, but they're making them smaller and lighter than the one I have (it's 12 oz., they make them about 1/2 that size now).

Interestingly, I find that I have more fun now, (though I still try hard to avoid all possibility of snake bite or other injury) because I don't spend the whole time worrying about it. It's also handy on trips up in the snow, where a slip can turn into a crisis. If I'm on a busy trail on a cool day, I don't always carry it, but anywhere in rattler territory I always have it.

Great question, by the way.

z

[magikwalt]

I just ordered a SPOT. Two years of service and they rebate the $150 purchase price. I am going to activate the tracking portion they offer and once we have some data I'll post my findings. One of the things I do like about it is that you can test it out and also send for family/friends help. All that is being said without the benefit of really testing it yet though.

[phydeux]

If you're really concerned about snakebites, you might also want to try a little prevention rather than relying on electronic communication devices and worrying abut how fast you'll be able to get to the hospital. I've got a neighbor who uses these while hunting in snake-prone areas:

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0033130942629a.shtml

He's been 'nipped' a few times on his lower legs and never had a problem (heavy boots under gaiters help, too!). Negatives are you might look a little odd wearing these on the lower areas of Skyline or similar desert trails, and they don't work very well at keeping snow out of your boots in winter. On the positive, they also work against cactus spines, and they pack down as good as standard winter gaiters. Other vendors sell similar versions, most less costly, but these have a proven track record (my neighbor!).

[zippetydude]

I ordered a pair of those snake gaiters years ago. If you're just walking a few feet and trying to be ultra careful, they might work, but for a real hike or trail run, I found them totally impractical and ended up giving them away as a joke to a friend (on this board, no less) with the advice to throw them away afterward. Caution is a good idea, but complete prevention is impossible without staying home.

I'll be curious to hear Walt's experience.

z