We wanted to let you know about a rattlesnake bite that happened at a Scripps Ranch park over the weekend and to warn you about rattlesnakes in our community. A baby rattlesnake bit a young boy at Cypress Canyon Park on Sunday, June 3, during a Scripps Ranch Girls Softball League tournament. The victim—a 3-year-old boy from Irvine—was bitten twice, once on each leg, while playing on a hill surrounding the Cypress Canyon softball fields. Scripps Ranch Fire Engine 37 and Medic-Rescue 37 (our ambulance) responded to the call and transported the patient. According to Don Robinson, SR Girls Softball League president, as of Monday, June 4, the little boy is in ICU in stable condition at Rady Children’s Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
We are in the midst of "rattlesnake season," which is from April to October. To avoid rattlesnakes, stay away from tall grass or heavy brush, which is prevalent in many areas of Scripps Ranch. Baby rattlers are considered especially dangerous. They are born with a full supply of venom and cannot control the amount of venom they inject into their victim. Adult rattlesnakes usually only inject a portion of their venom when they bite.
In case of a rattlesnake bite, call 911 immediately. If you cannot call 911, get the victim to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. According to recent research, snakebite kits are widely regarded as ineffective or even harmful if improperly applied. The only true treatment to counteract snake venom is antivenin. Only a doctor at a medical facility can give this. Therefore, the best treatment for any snakebite is immediate medical help. Keep the patient calm and immobilize the injured extremity—assuming that’s the location of the bite. Do not apply ice, tourniquets, constricting bands, and especially do not cut the skin to attempt to extract venom.You can get more information about snakebites from the FDA website at [http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/995_snakes.html]. Obviously more information also can be found on the Internet.
Also, please be aware that black widow spiders have now been found at both Hoyt Park and the Forestview tot lot in the past week.
Sincerely,
Gordon Boerner
SRCA President
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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