06/08/2025
It was literally Standing Room Only for Dr. Richard Yocum's Medical Talk Thursday on Snakebites. Over 50 people attended, and we ran out of chairs at the Idyllwild Fire Station. We will need a larger room for future meetings.
Below is the handout from Dr. Yocum's Medical Talk that you can print or forward to friends!
There are five more monthly Medical Talks scheduled between now and the end of the year. By the end of June, the MDP information box outside the Idyllwild Post Office will have been renovated to contain a schedule of future MDP events and information on the next Medical Talk.
Neighbors Prepare Together!......................................
RATTLESNAKE BITES
Not all rattlesnake bites result in envenomation, but assume the patient has had venom injected. Antivenom is the most important treatment. Efforts should focus on getting to a hospital with antivenom available as soon as possible!
DO:
1. Remain calm yourself and keep the patient calm. Increased heart rate (due to panic, running, etc.) can accelerate the effects of the venom.
2. Move everyone to a safe area away from potential additional snakebites.
3. Immediately devise an evacuation plan that is safe and will result in the patient arriving at a hospital with antivenom as QUICKLY as possible. Depending on the situation, this may mean the victim walks out, is carried out, or is transported out by vehicle (with non-victim driving), ambulance, or helicopter.
4. Avoid having the patient run if a lower extremity has been bitten. A walk-out is OK if it is the quickest evacuation; walking on an envenomated leg is faster than a carry-out.
5. Call 911 to report the snakebite, anticipated need for antivenom, and any needed resources/coordination for the planned evacuation.
6. Immediately remove rings, watches, bracelets, jewelry, tight clothing, and any other potentially constricting items that could restrict blood flow if swelling occurs. These items can be very difficult to remove and/or harmful once swelling occurs.
7. Cover the bite area with a loose, clean, dry dressing. Do not wrap tightly.
8. Immobilize (e.g., arm sling for bite on the hand) the bitten extremity in a “functional position” if the area can be immobilized without significantly delaying the evacuation plan. If possible, depending on evacuation needs, position the bite area AT the level of the heart (neither above nor below the heart) if it will not hinder evacuation.
9. Take a photo of the snake if it can be done safely and does not delay evacuation.
10. Mark the edge of the swelling and write the time marked next to it at 30-minute intervals using a sharpie or pen.
11. Monitor and record symptoms and signs, including serial vital signs (but not too frequently to impede evacuation). If splints or slings are used, monitor for constriction.
DO NOT:
• Attempt to kill, capture, or otherwise deal with the snake
• Cut the bite area or try to suck out venom
• Apply a tourniquet
• Apply ice or heat
• Tightly wrap/bandage the bite area
• Take any drugs, including aspirin or NSAIDs (e.g., Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen, etc.)
• Consume caffeinated beverages or alcohol
