Hey, it’s Ernest from Trip Astute.
In this video, we’re going to cover something that could potentially save your life, especially if you
happen to be hiking or camping in the US.
We’re exploring how to deal with a rattlesnake encounter.
(light chiming music)
Today we’re talking about snakes on a plane.
Ok, not really, but you might be wondering why I am covering the subject of rattlesnakes.
Well, to be honest, Fiona and I had two close encounters with rattlesnakes in August while
just hiking around Los Angeles.
The first one was a large rattlesnake had just crossed a narrow hiking trail in the
Hollywood Hills.
The second one happened in the Verdugo Hills, and it really freaked us out.
We basically got to the end of a trail, and decided to head back.
The trail was really narrow and the vegetation was dense.
As we were hiking down, we immediately heard the rattling and hissing sound and noticed
a rattlesnake coiled up in the brush right next to us.
Long story short, we basically tried to wait it out, but the snake didn’t move.
We couldn’t go off the other side of the trail, so we walked past it very slowly.
I mean like ninja walked as quietly and softly as possible along the trail.
We both made it past the snake, but it occurred to me that I didn’t know very much about
rattlesnakes except that they make a rattling sound and are venomous.
So today, I want to run through some safety tips on how you can avoid rattlesnakes, as
well as advice if you happen to get bitten.
If you look online, there is a lot of weird and contradicting information out there, so
I wanted to share what I learned from my research.
Even if you don’t happen to live in an area with rattlesnakes, it’s very possible that
you may encounter one in your lifetime, especially if you’re visiting parts of the US or national
parks.
But first, before we jump into the topic, if this is your first time here, I want to
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First off, I want to share some important facts that you should know about rattlesnakes:
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, which means that they hunt by sensing heat and using their
tongues to smell.
Since they cold-blooded animals, they are most active during the warmer months of April
through October, and can be found in the most of the US, with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii,
Delaware, and Maine.
Rattlesnakes rattle when they feel threatened.
A lot of people think that rattlesnakes are aggressive, but it’s not true.
Rattlesnakes are timid and reclusive animals, and they rattle their tails to warn you to
stay away.
Most people who are bitten by a rattlesnake have either provoked it, or accidentally touched
it.
This can easily happen when going off a trail.
Not all rattlesnakes inject venom when biting: While you should always get treated with anti-venom
if you are bit, and we’ll address that later in the video, you should know that about a
third of all rattlesnake bites are “dry bites”, and do not contain any venom.
This often happens when a rattlesnake is startled and bites out of instinct.
Though baby rattlesnakes tend to be more dangerous since they have less control over their venom
and will often inject as much as possible in their bites.
Rattlesnakes don’t always rattle their tail: While you might think you’ll always be warned
if you encounter a rattlesnake, that it is not always the case.
In addition to just being startled, rattlesnakes have been known to stay quiet as a defense
mechanism.
Some people even think that they have evolved with this adapted behavior since many rattlesnakes
are called because they make their presence known.
I guess the takeaway here is to know that you’re not always going to be warned of
a rattlesnake in your area.
So, suppose you’ve decided to take a break while hiking and sit on a rock.
When you reach back, you just happen to touch a rattlesnake that bites you.
What should you do?
The first thing you should do is relax.
Yeah, I know.
It’s like when people tell you to relax if you get attacked by a shark.
But there’s a good reason for it.
If the snake has injected venom into your body, you’ll want to keep your heart rate
slow to prevent the venom from spreading throughout your body and bloodstream.
Don’t try to catch the snake.
Just try to relax and have someone contact emergency services to get help.
You want to avoid hiking as it will speed up your heart rate as it will increase the
spread of the venom.
In most cases, a rattlesnake bite means that you’re going to need some kind of emergency
response, and in some cases, an airlift to a hospital to get venom.
The timeframe for survival can depend on a lot of factors.
Most people can survive a couple of days if they are bitten.
Though the amount of venom that you received, the location of your bite, and your overall
health and immunity can all play a role.
You’ll still want to get help as soon as possible.
Depending on how far you are from civilization and a cell phone signal, that could mean either
minutes or hours.
Either way, your first option should be to have someone else get you help while you rest.
If you happen to be alone, then you’ll want to try to find help, or worst case scenario,
slowly move toward help.
This should be your last resort since again, you don’t want to promote the movement of
venom in your bloodstream.
Now, I’m going to run through some tips for avoiding and encountering a rattlesnake
DO: Stay on the trail: If you happen to be in a place that’s known to have rattlesnakes,
try to stick to wider trails, and be cautious of your surroundings.
DON’T: Listen to music while hiking: It can be tempting to listen to your music, but
it’s very important to have situational awareness.
Not just for snakes, but for any situation that you may encounter.
Even hearing storms could save you from a flash flood.
Use the time to connect with nature and be mindful of your environment.
DO: Hike with others: I see people hiking on their own all the time.
I think it’s just safer to do it with someone else or a group.
I’ve even seen people hike at night in Los Angeles by themselves in areas where there
are mountain lions.
Your chances of survival in the event of some kind of encounter or injury is going to be
much higher if you’re hiking with someone.
DON’T: Elevate the bite wound or use a tourniquet: Both of these techniques can actually cause
more harm when dealing with a venomous rattlesnake bite.
DO: Call for emergency services: Not only is it important to get the wound treated,
but it’s also important to know that not all hospitals have an anti-venom on-hand.
Emergency services can help figure out the best way to get you to the right place for
treatment.
DON’T: Suck out the venom: This was old-fashioned and outdated advice that should not be followed.
You’re much better off getting the wound treated and taking an anti-venom.
DO: Keep kids close by and on the trail: When we visited Joshua Tree National Park last
year, we saw a lot of kids running off the trail, despite seeing a rattlesnake pass in
front of us on the trail and hide in a bush.
I suggest warning kids to stay on the trail and let them know of the danger.
DON’T: Approach, provoke, or try to catch snakes: If you encounter a rattlesnake, I
suggest waiting it out as long as you can.
You do not want to use a stick to move it or intimidate it.
The snake is not looking for a confrontation with you, and any attempt to make contact
will likely result in the snake feeling very threatened.
DO: Check your campsite: Rattlesnakes will often seek heat during the night.
If you’re camping or spending time outdoors at night, be especially careful when packing
up your tent.
DON’T: Let snakes ruin your love of the outdoors: Rattlesnakes are a part of our environment
and an important component of our ecosystem.
Just try your best to respect them and know that if you happen to have an encounter, your
odds for survival are very high, especially if you take the right steps to get help.
Have you had an encounter with a rattlesnake?
Please let us know in the comment section below.
Again, I hope this video doesn’t scare you, but instead makes you feel more confident
to deal with the unexpected when traveling or outdoor on the trails.
If you enjoyed this video or found it useful, please give us a thumbs up and consider sharing
the video with others who might benefit or enjoy our content.
Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.