A Rattlesnake bite doesn't have to be deadly. It's possible to survive a bite without even seeking medical attention. However, you're better off following some simple steps which will greatly reduce the risks of dying from a Rattler bite.

Tips for surviving a Rattlesnake bite:

• Don't go around Rattlesnakes.

I know. This is like saying if you don't want to get STDs don't go around women. Easier said than done. You're a man. You need to adventure outdoors, hunt, fish, ranch, farm, whatever. But, just don't do anything stupid. Don't go sticking your bare hand inside cracks and crevices, in wood piles, and in your nose (just had to slip that one in there). In warm seasons, be careful walking through fields. Be aware.

• Don't panic

You just got bit by a Rattler. I don't expect you to start a celebratory dance. But I do expect you to NOT act like a sissy girl. You need to cowboy up. Suck it up. Stay calm. You don't want to help the venom move through your system.

• Call an ambulance

You need to get to a hospital. An ambulance is your best bet. If that doesn't work, get someone to drive you. It's probably not a good idea to drive yourself. It's already a bad enough day that you got bit by a freaking snake. You don't want to also pass out, drive into a tree, and decapitate yourself. That would really suck.

• Remove any clothing or jewelry that may be constrictive.

You don't want to constrict any of your extremities, since it could exacerbate the swelling.

• Immobilize the wound area.

The idea here is that you want to put a splint or something on the wound area so that you won't move it. The more you move it, the more the swelling, the more the venom moves through your system, the more chance you'll die...oops did I say 'die'. I meant the more chance you'll get severely sick, pass out, and never regain consciousness - but not 'die'.

• Don't try to suck out the poison.

Don't slice open the wound with your pocket knife and try to suck out the poison with your mouth. It may infect the wound. It's also a good way to get snake venom in your mouth and stomach.

• Don't try and catch the snake and bring it to the emergency room.

I don't know where this idea got started. But I'm guessing there's been more than one fool who got bit by a snake, then got bit again trying to catch it. There's also probably been some guy who took a snake in to the ER dropped it on the floor and got someone else bit. You don't need the snake. Most doctors will be able to tell what kind of snake bit you, and if you live in Rattlesnake country, it's likely the only poisonous snake, so they'll know.

Dying from a Rattlesnake bite is rare. Only about four people per year in the United States die from a snake bite. You can greatly reduce your risk of dying from a Rattlesnake bite by staying away from them, not panicking if you do get bit, and following the simple steps above.



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