Former Snake Victim Offers Advice
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: April 29, 2012
There have already been two rattlesnake bites in the Big Country this Spring and one survivor wants to share advice from his experience.
Daniel is a Cross Plains resident who chose not to have his face shown on camera.
He was bitten by a rattlesnake while stepping out of his car in a field along the highway.
He was bitten on his leg and didn't receive anti-venom for more than an hour.
"Spend the money, get Gators get Chaps, get the boots, protect yourself you know why have your child or your mom or your dad or yourself suffer through something that you don't have to," he said.
Doctors say that although the quicker the better, anti-venom can continue to work even after the suggested hour.
They say there are even things you can do while you wait for help.
"Trying to suck out the venom is something that the people can do you know if its possible they have to be careful not to swallow any of it things like that so its something that we prefer them not to if the ambulance is on their way very quickly," said Dr. Shayne White, head of the Abilene Regional Medical Center's Emergency Room.
Doctors say the most important goal is getting as much venom out of the system as possible since it is toxic.
They also recommend dressing appropriately when out in fields, with long pants, or purchasing protective gear like leg guards that can prevent snake bites from breaking the skin..
Daniel is a Cross Plains resident who chose not to have his face shown on camera.
He was bitten by a rattlesnake while stepping out of his car in a field along the highway.
He was bitten on his leg and didn't receive anti-venom for more than an hour.
"Spend the money, get Gators get Chaps, get the boots, protect yourself you know why have your child or your mom or your dad or yourself suffer through something that you don't have to," he said.
Doctors say that although the quicker the better, anti-venom can continue to work even after the suggested hour.
They say there are even things you can do while you wait for help.
"Trying to suck out the venom is something that the people can do you know if its possible they have to be careful not to swallow any of it things like that so its something that we prefer them not to if the ambulance is on their way very quickly," said Dr. Shayne White, head of the Abilene Regional Medical Center's Emergency Room.
Doctors say the most important goal is getting as much venom out of the system as possible since it is toxic.
They also recommend dressing appropriately when out in fields, with long pants, or purchasing protective gear like leg guards that can prevent snake bites from breaking the skin..
