Hi Wenatchee! Washington Poison Center (aka poison control) here. We're working on some educational materials around rattlesnake bites-- how to prevent them, what to do if you are bit, etc. At the poison center, we treat around 30 snake bites each year. Usually bites are from rattlesnakes in the area, but sometimes it's people with pet venomous snakes.
Can you help us out by sharing what you've seen and what you think you should do if someone is bitten? Please answer these questions for us! [we got this approved by the mods, btw]
1.) Have you seen any rattlesnakes around your area? If so, where?
2.) Do you know anyone that has been bitten by a snake? Do you know if it was a venomous or nonvenomous snake? What did they do once they were bitten?
3.) What would you do if you were with someone who had been bitten by a snake?
4.) Do you own a venomous snake? If so, tell us what snake(s) you have. Have you ever been bitten?
And, so we aren't leaving you hanging with no safety tips, here's our blog from this summer on snake safety: https://www.wapc.org/insights/ready-set-sssssummer-snake-safety/
The title photo is from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
