NOLS MythCrushers Episode 2: North American Snake Bites

[dtgeddes]

Hey everyone that is giving NOLS a hard time you have no idea who your insalting. NOLS are the experts the best in the world at what they do ! In fact they are o good at what they that NASA shuttle crews would go on NOLS courses to learn team building, skills, and how to overcome adversity. It is the best program in the world. They know how to do it right !

[Fuentes2722]

Snakes feel vibration keenly. Stamping on the ground will warn them of your presence and help to clear a path. All in all, I like this Myth Crusher...it is helpful information. For instance, I didn't know that, regardless of what action you take (say u r in back country) you still need Anti-venom! Good to know. TY

[iFeedMyDingoBiscuts]

U retards implied snakes were slimey at the start of the vid... And forgot to mention most snakes aren't poisenous at all

[nols1965]

You are certainly entitled to your point of view. Sorry about implying that snakes were slimy, it just sounded good during the intro. Our recommendation for ANY snake bite, poisonous or otherwise, is to evacuate from the backcountry. (We could've made more clear that most snakes aren't poisonous though, you are right about that.)

[moreusernames]

Shouldn't you kill the snake and bring it with you so the doctors know which anti-venom to give? And if your far from getting to help, wouldn't a tourniquet slow the speed of the venom flowing into the rest of your body?

[nols1965]

@moreusernames, thanks for the feedback and questions. Handling or trying to capture a snake is a common cause of snakebite, & it's unnecessary. In North America the snake venom fits a variety of snakes. Physician's generally don't have specific anti-venins for specific snake species.

In Australia there are specific anti-venins, however capture or identification is unnecessary. The physician identifies the snake by swabbing the wound site and matching the venom residue to the snake chemically.

[nols1965]

Tourniquets put the limb at great risk of amputation from lack of blood flow, and tissue damage from concentration of the tissue toxic venom locally near the bite site.

Since most people don't die from North American rattlesnake bites, this risk is not warranted and it's better to dilute the venom throughout the body rather than concentrate it in the limb.

[GMFBcrew14]

put sitzey on this. it will make the show much better.

[nols1965]

Anything with Sitzey usually is better. Photogenic, however, he is not. :)

[ImJustPlainBored]

Avoidance and antivenom are great... but what about basic first aid until medical treatment is reached?! This wasn't much of an answer.

[nols1965]

Thank you for the comment ImJustPlainBored. The simple answer is that there is nothing else to do. Keep the patient calm, and get them to the anti-venom quickly. Anything else you try to do could end up doing more harm than good.

[tekkenjam]

after getting bit usually a good idea to try to keep your heart rate down by staying calm so the venom doesnt travel as fast in your blood stream.

[nols1965]

Keep them calm to avoid shock. Thanks tekkenjam!