**Rattlesnake First Aid and Safety

The first part of rattlesnake first aid is to not get bit.  Don't hike with open toed shoes, avoid tall grass and clear your yard, look in crevices, seal gaps under doors, keep rodent populations low and fill in holes.  Rattling is not always an indicator of a snake.  Some snakes, especially young snakes, don't rattle,  Snakes will even bite after they are dead through reflex action.
What to do if you are bit by a rattle snake:
Stay calm, or calm the victim, keep the bitten part still, remove rings and other constrictive items and keep the bit area above the heart, clean the wound and apply a clean dry bandage, get victim to emergency facility, don't apply a tourniquet, don't pack in ice or apply a cold press, don't cut the bite site, don't suck the venom out with your mouth, don't let the victim eat, drink alcohol or take drugs.  This handout was provided by Santa Clara County Vector Control.