Snakebite

[Turpentine21]

Turpentine, when I was in the 4th grade, my history teacher was a relative of Francis Marion. She brought his dueling pistols to school and showed them to us!

I've been to a couple of areas where he was known to hide out in the swamp. Folks have found musketballs, buttons, and belt buckles in one of them where Lynches River joins the Pee Dee River. The area the swamp covers around that siteis huge.

 

[Hydra6]

I live in middle Georgia on 22 acres with a large pond- I have two deer feeders on our property in sight of the front porch around the pond to feed local deer (wife's pets). I was filling up a feeder from the back of the Mule when I saw movement and a very large snake crawling away from the feeder and toward the tree line. I killed him with my pistol (I always carry when I am on the property). I thought he was a big water moccasin as he had no rattles, but he was a big Timber Rattler. He would have messed a person up bad.

My buddy in SC has been steadily killing timber rattlers and copperheads on his property this year.

 

[Veteran]

Did all of you know that most of Illinois once had rattle snakes, now its just in the southern part of the state.

When all the land was 160 acre farms and everyone owned hogs, the hogs killed and ate the rattlers pretty much into exctinction.

Hogs arent totally immune fro venom, but they are so fat and thick skinned they survive it unless they are small ones

One area along the river with lots of rocks in La salle County still has rattlers because hogs could not get at the rattlers down in the rocks.
Believe its Starved Rock State Park..

160 scres and hogs is the cure for snakes!

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I live in middle Georgia on 22 acres with a large pond- I have two deer feeders on our property in sight of the front porch around the pond to feed local deer (wife's pets). I was filling up a feeder from the back of the Mule when I saw movement and a very large snake crawling away from the feeder and toward the tree line. I killed him with my pistol (I always carry when I am on the property). I thought he was a big water moccasin as he had no rattles, but he was a big Timber Rattler. He would have messed a person up bad.

My buddy in SC has been steadily killing timber rattlers and copperheads on his property this year.

Feeders bring rodents and that brings rattle mouth cotton heads. Consistently it seems.

 

[memtb]

I don't know how I missed this until tonight!

That's pretty amazing…….I'm at a loss for words. I guess when the Good Lord decides it's time, he can work in mysterious ways!

Condolences out to his family and friends! memtb

 

[Mike Matteson]

I would almost rather encounter a rattlesnake than a cottonmouth. Rattlesnakes are a bit more docile while a cottonmouth goes on the defensive very quickly and has a nasty bite as well.

That's been my understanding about cottonmouth also.

 

[TBell]

I would almost rather encounter a rattlesnake than a cottonmouth. Rattlesnakes are a bit more docile while a cottonmouth goes on the defensive very quickly and has a nasty bite as well.

Vv

 

[TBell]

Vv

Sorry about the typo above

Article in a magazine at least 25 years ago reported that a rapid cure for rattle snake and copperhead was the immediate use of a stun gun at the site of the bite.

Supposively it polarizes the venom to the same polarity as flesh and it then is repelled. Big deal at the time with several credible testimonials, this was at a time that disinformation was none existent, remeber those days. Any others heard or tried this method.

 

[Turpentine21]

Sorry about the typo above

Article in a magazine at least 25 years ago reported that a rapid cure for rattle snake and copperhead was the immediate use of a stun gun at the site of the bite.

Supposively it polarizes the venom to the same polarity as flesh and it then is repelled. Big deal at the time with several credible testimonials, this was at a time that disinformation was none existent, remeber those days. Any others heard or tried this method.

I have heard of it. I think in snakebite training with the timber company I worked for though for some reason I can't remember they recommend against it. There was also something similar discussed at that time like using a spark plug wire to shock the bite area. There was also the use of ice. Ultimately they just recommended to stay as calm as possible, walk, don't run, try to keep your heart rate as low as possible, and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. This wasn't exactly a comforting thought as we worked remotely and alone most of the time. We were sometimes a couple of miles from the truck in the woods and at times the closest hospital was over 45 minutes away once you reached the truck. Cell phone service was spotty at best back then. The company radio worked once you got to the truck. They also recommended that we never cut the bite and try to extract the venom.

 

[TBell]

I have heard of it. I think in snakebite training with the timber company I worked for though for some reason I can't remember they recommend against it. There was also something similar discussed at that time like using a spark plug wire to shock the bite area. There was also the use of ice. Ultimately they just recommended to stay as calm as possible, walk, don't run, try to keep your heart rate as low as possible, and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. This wasn't exactly a comforting thought as we worked remotely and alone most of the time. We were sometimes a couple of miles from the truck in the woods and at times the closest hospital was over 45 minutes away once you reached the truck. Cell phone service was spotty at best back then. The company radio worked once you got to the truck. They also recommended that we never cut the bite and try to extract the venom.

Sounds like the same article I recall the car incident but thought it was jumper cables on a copper head bite.
There was a reference to a villager that had ben snake bit, in the jungle wound had started turning black when he got to the village where the village doctor use a stun gun, knowing that the rest of his normal techniques ended in death in past. In this case, they were able to save the victim and the leg. Also the article mentioned. A researcher in route to that village was stung by a black bullet ant when bite was shocked the pain was immediately gone.

I'll have to agree generally speaking doctors and hospital would be the first choice. but then again if that choice is 45 minutes or longer away. A localized stun gun got to be better than nothing.

Personally, I will keep one in my pack

 

[Veteran]

I have heard of it. I think in snakebite training with the timber company I worked for though for some reason I can't remember they recommend against it. There was also something similar discussed at that time like using a spark plug wire to shock the bite area. There was also the use of ice. Ultimately they just recommended to stay as calm as possible, walk, don't run, try to keep your heart rate as low as possible, and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. This wasn't exactly a comforting thought as we worked remotely and alone most of the time. We were sometimes a couple of miles from the truck in the woods and at times the closest hospital was over 45 minutes away once you reached the truck. Cell phone service was spotty at best back then. The company radio worked once you got to the truck. They also recommended that we never cut the bite and try to extract the venom.

Even my boy scout snake bite kit had a suction cup.........

 

[jseandsje]

In high school, a friend was under his truck working on his suspension. Reached back blindly to get a wrench. Felt like a hornet sting. Looked at his wrist - 2 holes. Copperhead.
By time he got to hospital his arm was black. Lanced it and had scar from wrist to above the elbow.

Met a co-worker about 14 years later with a similar scar. I asked him if it was from a snakebite. He told me his grandfather kept apples, to give the horses a treat, in burlap sack in a shed. He reached in to get an apple and felt the "hornet" sting. 2 holes. Copperhead. He too had a black arm and had to lance.

I don't kill them if I see them in the mountains, where there are few people. But around my house, I kill them if my pet black snakes haven't already killed them.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Vv

I don't know much about cottonmouth, other than what I have read about or what has been shown on TV. I am one that doesn't have to try out something to learn about it the hard way.
That remine me of a 2nd Lt in the 3/4 Cav in Viet Nam. The was an FNG, and we got a bunch of FNG's into our platoon about the same time.
We came into an area that was showing signs of booth-traps. Generally nobody wants to be around the FNG's. They can get you killed. Anyway, I figured I would work with them to get through the area. Better to work with them, than having to be a medic. I pointed out what to look for, for sign there was booth-traps in the area. Total them to slow up and look very careful. Well we slow down to a snail pace.
A brand new 2nd Lt got off his tack and called them over to instruct then how to find the traps. He told them to use their gun barrrel to push into the weeds to fine them moving the barrel back and forth. I was standing off to the side and listen to the talk. He turned around and headed back to his track. I call the FNG over to me. I then ask then to look at me and look at themselfs, and the 2nd LT. Did they see any difference between them the 2 ndLt and me. Well one man spoke up and note that there cloth and the 2nd Lt were brand new. Mine were old and boots not shined. I kind of laugh and told my men that if they listen to the Lt. he would get them killed. He just as green as you.
Well the 2nd Lt did hear what I said. he headed to the Captin track. I told the men to go back work you way through that area. So I stood out there by myself. I saw the Capt point a finger at the 2nd Lt. When he was done the Lt turned and haul to his track. I figured I was going to be busted. Nothing happen. That evening the 50 gunner on the capt track came over the medic track were I was at. To my surprise the Capt told the 2nd Lt, that if I said something, he better take that as and order, ask just how high he need to jump. If you listen to that medic you might get back home alive. By that time I had about 6+ months under my belt.
I serviced under 7 different Capt's while in the field. I learned that all officer were not equal. Some very good and some very bad.
I seen a lot of things, and done my fair share of stupid things too. So moral of the story is listen and learn.

 

[Turpentine21]

I don't know much about cottonmouth, other than what I have read about or what has been shown on TV. I am one that doesn't have to try out something to learn about it the hard way.
That remine me of a 2nd Lt in the 3/4 Cav in Viet Nam. The was an FNG, and we got a bunch of FNG's into our platoon about the same time.
We came into an area that was showing signs of booth-traps. Generally nobody wants to be around the FNG's. They can get you killed. Anyway, I figured I would work with them to get through the area. Better to work with them, than having to be a medic. I pointed out what to look for, for sign there was booth-traps in the area. Total them to slow up and look very careful. Well we slow down to a snail pace.
A brand new 2nd Lt got off his tack and called them over to instruct then how to find the traps. He told them to use their gun barrrel to push into the weeds to fine them moving the barrel back and forth. I was standing off to the side and listen to the talk. He turned around and headed back to his track. I call the FNG over to me. I then ask then to look at me and look at themselfs, and the 2nd LT. Did they see any difference between them the 2 ndLt and me. Well one man spoke up and note that there cloth and the 2nd Lt were brand new. Mine were old and boots not shined. I kind of laugh and told my men that if they listen to the Lt. he would get them killed. He just as green as you.
Well the 2nd Lt did hear what I said. he headed to the Captin track. I told the men to go back work you way through that area. So I stood out there by myself. I saw the Capt point a finger at the 2nd Lt. When he was done the Lt haul turned to his track. I figured I was going to be busted. Nothing happen. That evening the 50 gunner on the capt track came over the medic track were I was at. To my surprise the Capt told the 2nd Lt, that if I said something, he better take that as and order, ask just how high he need to jump. If you listen to that medic you might get back home alive. By that time I had about 6+ months under my belt.
I serviced under 7 different Capt's while in the field. I learned that all officer were equal. Some very good and some very bad.
I seen a lot of things, and done my fair share of stupid things too. So moral of the story is listen and learn.

Cottonmouths are very slow as far as snakes go. Not in striking speed. Just slow crawlers. They are pretty vulnerable on land. They are also territorial in water. On land they are quick to go on the defensive because of their speed. In water they can be aggressive with their territorial nature. Their venom is hemotoxic and causes a nasty wound.