Snake-bitten hiker rescued on Appalachian Trail - Kingsport Times News

[WhiteBlaze]

Snake-bitten hiker rescued on Appalachian Trail Kingsport Times News According to the Greeneville Sun, a 20-year-old hiker who had been bitten by a snake on the Appalachian Trail in southern Greene County was rescued Thursday ... and more »

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[Tipi Walter]

Along with a raccoon biting The Phoenix's head in a shelter, this is another great reason to avoid shelters. The ATV and helicopter rescue is gonna cost this guy a bunch of money. I heard from a local nurse here in East Tennessee that they treat copperhead bites with benadryl and bed rest, so I carry benadryl in my little first aid bottle. Now rattlesnakes on the other hand . . . . . .

[STEVEM]

Along with a raccoon biting The Phoenix's head in a shelter, this is another great reason to avoid shelters. The ATV and helicopter rescue is gonna cost this guy a bunch of money. I heard from a local nurse here in East Tennessee that they treat copperhead bites with benadryl and bed rest, so I carry benadryl in my little first aid bottle. Now rattlesnakes on the other hand . . . . . .

I'm not sure about that medical advice. I remember the story of a high school girl in PA who was bitten by a copperhead that another kid had brought to school. As I recall she lost either her hand or arm as a result of the snakebite.

[TD55]

Doesn't aspirin work on rattlesnake?

[papa john]

It might, but how would you know it had a headache?

Seriously though, I don't think you'd want a blood thinner in your system when you've been bit by a snake. Certainly no expert here, but logically speaking.....

[TD55]

I might be confusing rattlesnake with anklesprain. Prob'ly I should read that first aid book if I can find it.

[emerald]

Anyone else think it's inappropriate to make light of someone being bitten by a venomous snake on the AT, especially after just reading or failing to read or comprehend an article indicating someone is hospitalized this morning in fair condtion?

Some people would make better use of their time by reading the linked article, rather than posting. By reading it, they might not make themselves and the rest of us look like idiots by associating ourselves with this website.

Many if not most of us are working this morning and wish Alex a speedy recovery. Does anyone know if it might be possible for WhiteBlaze.net to send a card or email wishes for a speedy recovery to him at Johnson City Medical Center? Maybe a small group of local hikers could be assembled to visit him too.

[Manwich]

Benadryl and Asperin aren't the treatment, they will keep swelling down for most people, albuterol for breathing troubles but keeping the wound's elevation below the heart will help fight against organ failures and antivenom is your cure.

[Engine]

Benadryl and Asperin aren't the treatment, they will keep swelling down for most people, albuterol for breathing troubles but keeping the wound's elevation below the heart will help fight against organ failures and antivenom is your cure.

Yup, that about sums it up.

[traildust]

Kudos to the rescue crew.

[10-K]

I'm headed north in the morning to PA for a little R&R (rocks and rattlesnakes) - glad I'm not superstitious.

Wishing the fellow a full and speedy recovery.

[double d]

Maybe Hooch can post on what is the best treatment or on this issue of snake bites, but I truly hope all is well with the hiker, no doubt it is always serious. I saw a young women on a pbs tv show who got bite by a snake, the poison started to inch up her arm at the hospital and her arm was deeply swelled.

[middle to middle]

lets tighten up our grip a bit.

[TD55]

Anyone else think it's inappropriate to make light of someone being bitten by a venomous snake on the AT, especially after just reading or failing to read or comprehend an article indicating someone is hospitalized this morning in fair condtion?

Some people would make better use of their time by reading the linked article, rather than posting. By reading it, they might not make themselves and the rest of us look like idiots by associating ourselves with this website.

Many if not most of us are working this morning and wish Alex a speedy recovery. Does anyone know if it might be possible for WhiteBlaze.net to send a card or email wishes for a speedy recovery to him at Johnson City Medical Center? Maybe a small group of local hikers could be assembled to visit him too.

You have added nothing to the topic of how a snake bite might be treated. Instead you deem it more appropriate to judge peoples reading comprehension, call them idiots, and criticize them for showing a bit of humor on a serious subject, even though the humorous banter actually moves the discussion forward into talking about how a snake bite mite be treated. It's easy to criticize and point out faults or problems. Not so easy to come up with actual solutions. Some folks spend thier time complaining and never solving.
I also notice you shared an idea about sending a card or something. Not that you want to do that task. Nah, you ask if someone else can do it. There are lots of idiots out here that actually do stuff and accomplish stuff, even if it's in an idiotic way, at least they get the job done.

[ShakeyLeggs]

Once bitten get to the ER ASAP!!

Field care
As with all medical emergencies, the goal is to support patients until they arrive at the emergency department. The phrase "first, do no harm" has significant meaning here because many poorly substantiated treatment plans may do more harm than good, including making an incision over the bite, mouth suctioning, tourniquets, ice packs, or electric shock.
Appropriate field care should adhere to the basic tenants of emergency life support.
Reassure the patient to preclude hysteria during the implementation of ABCs.
Monitor vital signs and establish at least 1 large bore intravenous and crystalloid infusion. Administer oxygen therapy. Keep a close watch on the airway at all times in case intubation becomes necessary.
Restrict activity and immobilize the affected area (commonly an extremity); keep walking to a minimum.
Negative-pressure suctioning devices offer some benefit if used within several minutes of envenomation. Again, do not make an incision in the field.
Immediately transfer to definitive care.
Do not give antivenin in the field.

Evenomation grading determines the need for antivenin in pit viper victims. Grades are defined as mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild envenomation is characterized by local pain, edema, no signs of systemic toxicity, and normal lab values.
Moderate envenomation is characterized by severe local pain; edema larger than 12 inches surrounding the wound; and systemic toxicity including nausea, vomiting, and alterations in lab values (eg, fallen hematocrit or platelet values).
Severe envenomation is characterized by generalized petechiae, ecchymosis, blood-tinged sputum, hypotension, hypoperfusion, renal dysfunction, changes in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, and other abnormal tests defining consumptive coagulopathy.
Grading envenomations is a dynamic process. Over several hours, an initially mild syndrome may progress to a moderate or even severe reaction.

[Snowleopard]

Once bitten get to the ER ASAP!!
...
Restrict activity and immobilize the affected area (commonly an extremity); keep walking to a minimum.

I suppose this means being carried out is preferred to walking out if at all possible?

[emerald]

You have added nothing to the topic of how a snake bite might be treated.

That wasn't the topic of the linked news article, nor was it the purpose of my post.

Instead you deem it more appropriate to judge reading comprehension, call them idiots, and criticize them for showing a bit of humor on a serious subject, even though the humorous banter actually moves the discussion forward into talking about how a snake bite might be treated.

That's an issue for medical professionals to address. I am not a medical professional and doubt an informative discussion about it could occur here.

It's easy to criticize and point out faults or problems. Not so easy to come up with actual solutions. Some folks spend their time complaining and never solving.

Some people fail to realize criticism is where change begins and is a form of free speech. They don't seem to like free speech when it's exercised by others. At least you observe I called attention to the fact that someone is hospitalized this morning and indicated what might be an appropriate response.

I notice you shared an idea about sending a card or something. Not that you want to do that task. Nah, you ask if someone else can do it.

Actually, I made several specific suggestions. I have no idea how long the individual may be hospitalized and I live in Pennsylvania, not Tennessee.

There are lots of idiots out here that actually do stuff and accomplish stuff, even if it's in an idiotic way, at least they get the job done.

I look forward to reading their reports about their accomplishments.

[TD55]

That wasn't the topic of the linked news article, nor was it the purpose of my post.



That's an issue for medical professionals to address. I am not a medical professional and doubt an informative discussion about it could occur here.



Some people fail to realize criticism is where change begins and is a form of free speech. They don't seem to like free speech when it's exercised by others. At least you observe I called attention to the fact that someone is hospitalized this morning and indicated what might be an appropriate response.



Actually, I made several specific suggestions. I have no idea how long the individual may be hospitalized and I live in Pennsylvania, not Tennessee.



I look forward to reading their reports about their accomplishments.

OK, fair 'nuf.

[zoidfu]

It might, but how would you know it had a headache?

ell oh ell!

[Pokey2006]

Severe envenomation is characterized by generalized petechiae, ecchymosis, blood-tinged sputum, hypotension, hypoperfusion, renal dysfunction, changes in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, and other abnormal tests defining consumptive coagulopathy.

Great information in your post, and good to know...however, can you give this last bit in more plain English?