The deadly rattlesnake bite of a Colorado boy warns of what to do if bitten.

A rattlesnake bite near Colorado Springs resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy who was warned of what to do and what not to do if you or your pet were bitten by these venomous snakes. ..

According to a Colorado Springs television station, the boy was bitten in the Blue Stem Prairie Open Space in Security Widefield on July 5, and died on Saturday. KRDO..

Deadly rattlesnake bites are rare.In Colorado, the latest deadly rattlesnake bite prior to last week occurred in 2017 in a 31-year-old Colorado man. Died after being bitten near Golden..

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On average, it is estimated that about 200 rattlesnakes bite in Colorado.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are nationwide 7,000-8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes In a year, about 5 people die a year.

According to the HerpMed website, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Red Cross, and the Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center, the recent death has caused Colorado Parks and Wildlife to do and should not be after being bitten by a rattlesnake: The list has been published. ..

What to do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake

• If the snake is still nearby, move it carefully to a safe place.

• If you can be safe, it is useful to take a picture of the snake for identification. The rattlesnake is the only snake in Colorado that does not have a sharp, pointed tail. Instead, there are rounded buttons. Also, the rattlesnake’s head is wider than its body, and its hands are wider than its wrists when gripping a fist.

• Find a place where the victim can lie down and rest comfortably, and encourage the victim to calm down and feel at ease.

• In the case of a group, one member will be dispatched to notify the local emergency staff and the nearest hospital. Do not leave the victim alone for help. Carry your mobile phone while reproducing.

• Allow the bite to bleed freely for about 30 seconds, then wash and disinfect the bite with betadine (iodine) or soap and water.

• If the hospital treatment is more than 30 minutes away and the bite is on the hand, finger, foot, or lower arm or leg, a wide elastic bandage can be used as a compression bandage.

• Quickly wrap and secure the bandage from the area just above the bite past the knee or elbow joint. Do not wind it tighter than a sprain. The goal is to limit the transfer of poison to the bloodstream without blocking circulation to the affected limbs. Check the pulse above and below the bandage and repack if it is too tight.

• If possible, apply the Sawyer Extractor to the bite until the drainage is gone. This device can often remove the venom from the wound and create a negative pressure gradient that slows the spread of the venom into the body. This device is recommended by the Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center and medical herpetologists.

• If an extractor is not available, use a 4×4 gauze pad folded in half to apply pressure directly to the bite. Soak the pad in iodine and tape it.

• Take off all rings, watches, jewelry and snug clothing as most of the bitten area and the bitten appendage will swell.

• Use splints as needed to secure the bitten limb as closely as possible.

• Try to keep a place to bite in your heart. Raising above the heart increases the spread of the poison to the body, and keeping it below the level of the heart increases swelling.

• After providing first aid, take the victim to the nearest hospital or medical facility. If you haven’t done so before, ask someone to call the nearest hospital in case the victim arrives.

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What to do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake

• Do not assume that the bite is not serious or that treatment may be delayed.

• Do not apply oral (mouth) suction to bites. Such effects can introduce harmful bacteria into the wound that can cause sepsis.

• Do not make any kind of incision in or around the bite mark. This only increases the trauma to the bite site.

• Do not use narrow tourniquets such as belts, laces, or cords. This restriction of blood flow increases the risk of amputation of the bitten limb.

• Do not engage in strenuous physical activity. This only accelerates the spread of the poison to important organs.

• Do not apply ice, hot or cold packs to bites. These have no proven beneficial effects and can exacerbate tissue damage from burns and frostbite.

• Do not allow victims to take aspirin or take medication.

• Do not give food or drink to victims without the approval of a doctor.

• Do not remove the pressure bandage until the antitoxin is available.

• Don’t waste your time or take the additional risk of killing or catching problematic snakes.

What to do (and not) if your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake

• Travel a safe distance from the snake and calm the dog.

• Clean the wound with soap and water and treat with antibiotic ointment if possible.

• Do not use Sawyer or other poison extractors as dog hair interferes with the formation of good seals.

• Limit physical activity and call in advance if possible to get the animal to be taken care of by a veterinarian immediately.

What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake

• Snakes are often heard before they are seen. When you hear the rattle snake, freeze it on the spot until you or your companion can find the animal. If you try to move away from an invisible snake, you may approach the snake.

• Even if you can see the snake, you can reduce the threat to the snake by not moving, and you can calmly grasp the situation.

• After assessing the situation, establish a safe distance. Rattlesnakes can attack up to half their length. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to keep at least 5 feet between yourself and the snake.

• Move slowly backwards on the road you came from.

• Do not catch, kill, provoke, or move rattlesnakes under any circumstances. Completely one-third of people bitten by snakes were bitten as a result of trying to treat or kill the snake.

• Move around rattlesnakes at a safe distance.

How to avoid being bitten by rattlesnakes

• Wear sturdy leather boots. This provides good protection for the feet and ankles, which are usually closest to rattlesnakes and cause almost all bites.

• Always be careful where you put your feet and hands, especially around the logs and rocks where the rattle snakes evacuate.

• Rattlesnakes usually make a rattlesnake sound to warn you that they are too close, so do not reproduce them with headphones or earphones.

• Pay particular attention to rattlesnakes around dusk when snakes become active hunters and human visibility diminishes.

• If the snake rolls up and rattles, it should be too close and slowly move away. With just a few feet back, you can convince the snake that you are not a threat. Most rattlesnakes do not attack people unless they feel threatened or are deliberately provoked.

Reporter Miles Blumhard looks for stories that will affect your life. Whether it’s news, the outdoors, or sports, if you give him a name, he wants to report it. Do you have a story idea? Contact him at [email protected] or [email protected].

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This article was originally published in Fort Collins Colorado: The deadly rattlesnake bite of a Colorado boy warns of what to do if bitten.