North America has its fair share of venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes, coral snakes and copperheads. According to a The U.S. Food and Drug Administration report, an estimated 8000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Roughly .2% of these people will die from these bites. The rest have to deal with the unpleasant effects the snakebites, which may include infections and amputations.
Statistically, most snake encounters will happen in the outdoors. Does this mean that you should give up pleasurable activities like swimming, hiking, or camping? Of course not!
What you need to do instead, is to learn how to prevent snakebites and survive them. Here are tips on how to do so.
Avoid snakes or their habitats
Take time to learn about the kind of snakes that are present in the outdoor areas you will visit or stay. What are the habits of the snakes? Where are they most likely to stay? What do they look like?
Use the knowledge that you have gained to avoid snakes and their habitats. Avoid water bodies where water snakes like water moccasins are known to stay. Stay away from tall grass and bushes. Marshes and swamps are a no-no too unless you have no other choice.
Do not succumb to the temptation to stick your hands and feet into crevasses and holes in the ground or within logs. That's just asking for trouble. Also, take care when you climb trees. Snakes are good tree climbers, which mean that you may end up encountering them high above the ground. Do not provoke snakes that want nothing to do with you. In the battle of man vs. angry, venomous snake, you will lose – badly.
Use flashlights when the need arises
How would you like to end up with two fang marks on your butt when doing your business in the bushes? Well, that could happen if you do not take the time to look around you.
Always have a powerful flashlight for nighttime. The last thing you want is to come face-to-face with an angry snake that was just minding its business. Snakes have been known to attack from a distance of up to ½ of their body length. In the dark, you would have no chance of escaping from a snake that is near you. Having a flashlight would give you the warning you need to stay away from danger.
Do not sleep with the enemy
This story is from the Fall 2016 edition of BugOut MAG!.
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This story is from the Fall 2016 edition of BugOut MAG!.
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North America has its fair share of venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes, coral snakes and copperheads. According to a The U.S. Food and Drug Administration report, an estimated 8000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Roughly .2% of these people will die from these bites. The rest have to deal with the unpleasant effects the snakebites, which may include infections and amputations.
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