Here in the western US, rattlesnakes are our biggest concern for venom. Antivenin is (AFAIK) a very specific treatment for specific species, not a general one-size-fits-all, even just with snakes. The recommendation is to use hiking sticks to check before you step, be aware of your surroundings, and call the pros if there's a bite. An emergency beacon and radio is expensive, but effective. Some service providers include a basic insurance policy to cover costs if the device is actually used, because helicopters and paramedics don't come cheap.
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Yep, I responded to the antivenom/antivenin comment as I didn't want people thinking it's a generic thing.
You raise a good point on the EPIRB/locator/beacon thing. I have mine all the time, even in places where I know I'll not get lost, as it's about MEDEVAC. One of these things saved a mates life (heart attack) when he was out in the Flinders Ranges and it just makes sense right?
I like to be quiet when I'm in the wilderness, I'm often hunting/stalking, but here there's the issue of making some noise to scare the snakey bastards out of the way; stepping on an Eastern Brown snake is a good way to get dead.
Thanks for adding some perspective. I wish I was your neighbour, we think alike and I think you'd be a handy chap in the wilderness. (We could share gear) Lol.
I really need to get one of those beacons. In my local environment, the climate doesn't support the spicy dangernoodles, but like you said, they're for a variety of emergencies. Besides, I think 2025 will include travel, and I'd like to have that extra insurance when off the main roads anywhere.
They aren't cheap I guess, but I think you're worth the spend. Like you say, MEDEVAC and SAR's don't come cheaply but death lasts forever. Travel in 2025? Good to hear!
I remember, more than ten years ago, when the director of the company announced that he was going to go fishing in the wild, that I insisted that he bring a satellite phone.
There is no mobile network there and that phone was very useful to him when he sprained his leg by stepping on a slippery stone in the stream where he started.
It was worth it that he had a way to call for help, because he would have struggled a lot with the injured leg.
When he went fishing in New Zealand, there were no such problems, there is an ordinary mobile phone available in every part of the country.
I've been to NZ and there's not cell service everywhere, but everywhere that fellow went probably had which means he didn't go remotely. There are many places no service is offered because there's no people there, or so few that the infrastructure costs don't make sense.
Yes, yes, I know about rattlesnakes in the Western US. I have heard and seen in many movies.
The sound of the ominous rattling of the tail sends shivers down your spine...
Here we have three types of poisonous plants. Poskok, Šarka and mountainous Šargan. The Poskok is the most dangerous, but there is an antidote in every medical facility and it is easy to find out that it is a Poskok (it jumped out of the bushes to bite you 🙂).
In addition to paying attention to where you stop(where is the next step), you should watch what you are holding on to while hiking and wear quality equipment, shoes and pants, gaiters are also recommended.
Yup, snake gaiters are recommended in parts of the US. Even heavy leather boots may not stop fangs, and not all boots rise high enough to be above the strike zone anyway. But like many things, US rattlesnakes are often over-dramatized for cinematic effect. The biggest risks are when climbing (don't put your hand on a snake's basking rock) and in heavy brush (don't step on a snake staying cool in the shade). Basically, don't walk or reach where you can't see. A snake that isn't startled like that will usually let you know it's upset long before there's any danger of a bite. They are quite camouflaged, though. Thus, the walking stick as a probe can prevent hurting the snake, and if it does get mad, it will go for the stick that poked it, not your meaty bits.
A commentary worth reading for all beginner hikers, campers and nature lovers.
👍