snakebit

This story today about a guy in SC died of snakebite motivated me to repost a link to my own advice on the subject. Story says this fatality had some unspecified “pre-existing” condition (perhaps a weak heart?) and was 71 years old, which might account for his unusually fast demise. His buddy would have been better advised to let the victim set and calm down for 20-30 minutes to let the venom localize at the bite rather than exert himself in trying to get back to the vehicle, thus speeding circulation to the heart.  Story claims only half dozen people a year die from rattlesnake bites.  Other sources give a higher number, but it’s undoubtedly very rare. Whatever the death toll,  it’s a painful and traumatic experience best avoided if possible and treated appropriately if incurred.