Dangerous Snakes

If you spend any time out in nature, you are familiar with the dangers of poisonous snakes. In TEOTWAWKI situations, you may be forced to forage out in the woods further than you are used to or even explore forests that are far from your home. In doing so, you may come across dangerous creatures that you’ve never encountered, such as poisonous snakes.

Some poisonous snakes in the US include:

· Western Coral Snakes, such as the Arizona Coral Snake

· Eastern Coral Snakes, like the Texas Coral Snake

· Copperheads

· Cottonmouths

· Diamondbacks, like the Eastern and Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

· Sidewinders, including the Mojave Desert Sidewinder

· Rattlesnakes, like the Red Diamond and the Timber Rattlesnake

· Rock Rattlesnakes

· Speckled Rattlesnakes

· Black-tailed Rattlesnakes

· Western Rattlesnakes, including the Grand Canyon Rattlesnake, the Great Basin Rattlesnake, and the Arizona Black Rattlesnake

· Spotted Rattlesnakes

· Mojave Rattlesnakes

· Tiger Rattlesnakes

· Prairie Rattlesnakes, including the Hopi Rattlesnake

· Ridgenose Rattlesnakes

· Primitive Rattlesnakes, such as the Eastern, Western, and Desert Massasauga

· Pygmy Rattlesnakes

The key to staying safe around poisonous snakes is prevention. Know your snakes by sight as well as how they behave. Avoid areas which may contain them, if at all possible. If you do encounter a poisonous snake, do not aggravate it. Do not try to chase it away. Do not try to kill or capture it. Give the snake a wide berth, because if it does decide to strike, it can extend half its body length in an instant to try to bite you. Wear protective clothing when hiking in the forest. You can expect to find snakes in the sun, particularly on cool days when they need to regulate their body temperature on warm rocks or in sunlight.

If you do happen to be bitten:

Don’t: Try to suck out the venom. That’s a myth and will merely help the poison enter your bloodstream quicker.

Do: Wash the bite with soap and water immediately.

Do: Keep the bite lower than your heart. Gravity will make it more difficult for the poisons to reach vital organs.

Do: Tie a bandage about three inches above the bite. It should be tied tightly, but not so tight as to cut off the blood supply.

Don’t: Cut into the wound. Snake bite kits that recommend this do not work, and it opens the wound up to infection.

Do: Remove all jewelry or tight clothing around the bite site. Swelling may occur, making it difficult to remove these items later.

Do: Keep a suction device in your first aid kit and know how to use it.

Don’t: Ice the bite. Icing the bite will only hinder the ability to remove the venom.

Do: Seek medical help immediately, even if the snake is not poisonous. A doctor will be able to ascertain the severity of the bite and treat it appropriately.

The woods can be filled with danger, but your investment plan doesn’t have to be. Get financial advice from Jason Hartman for safe strategies to earn money.

The Holistic Survival Team