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Snake Bites & Cougar Safety in the Wilderness - CleverHiker.com
Snakes are the type of animals that many backpackers are very nervous about and would rather avoid altogether.
But seeing snakes in the backcountry can actually be very rewarding. They’re truly strange and beautiful creatures and they play critical role in the natural ecosystem.
Bites from venomous snakes should not be taken lightly, especially if you’re days away from medical attention, but fatalities from snakebites are incredibly rare.
Of the estimated 7,000-8,000 venomous snakebites per year in the United States, only an average of five people actually die from snakebites.
In North America, venomous snakes are more prevalent in warmer climates and it’s very unlikely likely that you’ll encounter them in northern climates.
The four types of venomous snakes to watch out for are rattlesnakes, cottonmouth, copperhead, and coral snakes.
Snakes will only attack you if they feel threatened, so provoking them or trying to pick them up is just about the last thing you want to do.
Feet and ankles are the most common bite locations, followed by hands. So be careful about picking things up from the ground too.
If you’re going to be hiking off trail for long distances in snake territory, you can protect yourself with long pants, ankle high boots, or even snake proof gaiters.
Remember, the key to avoiding snakebites is to leave them alone and keep your distance. Rattlesnakes for example can strike from half their body length away, so don’t take any chances.
If you do get bitten by a by a snake that you believe to be venomous, stay calm and get out to medical help as soon as you can.
A good percentage of bites to humans from venomous snakes are dry bites, meaning that the snake didn’t release any venom when it bit.
If bitten, allow the bite to bleed freely for about thirty seconds, then wash the wound with soap and water and dress it to keep it clean.
Remove any jewelry or tight clothing around the bite before the area starts to swell and remain calm to slow the spread of venom. Remember, it might be a dry bite.
If the bite begins to swell and change color, the snakebite was probably venomous. It’s critical that the victim remains calm, doesn’t over exert him/herself, and gets medical attention as soon as possible.
Keep the victim still and quiet. Restrict movement to prevent the flow of venom. Keep the bitten area at or slightly below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.
Transport the victim to the hospital for anti-venom treatment. Since the victim should exert as little energy as possible, using a makeshift stretcher with some stick and extra clothing would be best.
If that option isn’t available, have the victim walk out at a relaxed pace without carrying a backpack to minimize effort.
Remember, once properly treated, most snakebites will not have lasting effects and the chances of a fatal snakebite are very small.
There’s so much misinformation out there about what to do when bitten by a snake that it’s almost more important what you don’t do if you get bitten.
Don’t apply a tourniquet to the bitten limb.
Don’t cut the wound in an attempt to remove the venom.
Don’t try to suck the venom out with your mouth or with a suction device.
Don’t apply ice to the area.
Don’t let the bite victim eat or drink anything, especially caffeine or alcohol.
Don’t try to track and kill the snake to bring it in.
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Cougars are an incredibly rare sight for any backcountry visitors, even for scientists trying to count their numbers and track their movements.
Cougars are also referred to as mountain lion, puma, panther, and catamount. They are the largest wildcat in North America and their populations are almost exclusively on the western side of the continent.
The vast majority of backpackers will go their entire lifetimes without seeing a cougar in the wild. If you ever do see one, you’ll be one of the luck few that do.
Cougars are an animal that raise a lot of concern and attention from backcountry enthusiasts, but pose almost no serious threat.
Since the year 2000, there been a total of about 50 cougar attacks in all of North America, and only three of those attacks actually resulted in a fatality.
24 мар 2015
