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From KPHO ...


PHOENIX -- Banner Poison Control Center treated four patients this past weekend for rattlesnake bites. There have been eight victims in the past week.

Doctors said one man was bitten on the hand after trying to pet a snake. They said the man had been drinking prior to the incident.

“We've seen several people who've tried petting the snakes, and even on occasion people trying to kiss the snake. Any of those things usually result in the patient getting bitten," said Dr. Michael Levine, a toxicologist at Banner Poison Control Center.


Hmmm ... I think I'll stick to frogs.

here's your sign

They should keep the snakes right there at the center so people can get their bites and their treatment in one convenient stop.

desert spirit wrote:From KPHO ...


PHOENIX -- Banner Poison Control Center treated four patients this past weekend for rattlesnake bites. There have been eight victims in the past week.

Doctors said one man was bitten on the hand after trying to pet a snake. They said the man had been drinking prior to the incident.

“We've seen several people who've tried petting the snakes, and even on occasion people trying to kiss the snake. Any of those things usually result in the patient getting bitten," said Dr. Michael Levine, a toxicologist at Banner Poison Control Center.


Hmmm ... I think I'll stick to frogs.

On the other hand, I'll bet snakes are really good at French kissing ...

I'm sure that's what the snakes would tell you. Don't believe them.

big_load wrote:I'm sure that's what the snakes would tell you. Don't believe them.

You mean they speak with forked tongue???

I would really like to see the statistics on snake bite victims, how many were bitten on the hand, and what the incidence of alcohol in the blood was.

matt gilbert wrote:I would really like to see the statistics on snake bite victims, how many were bitten on the hand, and what the incidence of alcohol in the blood was.

I don't have actual numbers, but I've read that an overwhelming majority of victims are young men who have been drinking. You've no doubt heard the old joke ...

Question: What are the most common words spoken before rattlesnake bites?
Answer: Hold my beer and watch this!

matt gilbert wrote:how many were bitten on the hand, and what the incidence of alcohol in the blood was.

It's true, snakes seem to suffer alcohol dependence, since they appear seek out victims who have been imbibing. Please everybody, don't be an enabler! If a snake wants to drink your alcohol-laden blood, just say "no".

I've always been told the most common snake bites are on males between the ages of 15 and 30, on the hand or forearm and alcohol is often involved. It should be telling that the hotspots of snake bite activity are Florida, Alamaba and Texas (I think AZ is in 5th or 6th).

So, maybe the answer to what are the most common words spoken before rattlesnake bites? is actually:
Hey, Bubba, hold mah ber an check dis awt...

Bubba.. or DJ, Billybob, and anyone nicknamed "Tex" (yeah, THATS original)

Males 15 - 28 suffer the most *venomous* snakebites in the US every year and the vast majority of strikes occur on the forearm between the wrist and elbow (As of 2006)...

I've never met anyone called "Tex" actually from Texas though....


I'm happy in the knowledge that I'm well outside the age for being bitten, so now I just need to avoid drunken snake handling and restrain myself to sober snake handling.. and I'll be OK.

I'm right smack in the middle of the age range Maybe I should just start carrying around anti-venom.

It's not cheap and requires refrigeration

Jeff MacE wrote:It's not cheap and requires refrigeration

Keep it next to the beer. That way it's always handy when you need it.

See, now I have "I thought you'd draw the line at hauling ice" stuck in my head

I'll just start packing a UL minifridge. They've got those, right TeWa?