Based in North Babylon, New York, Carisa Gaylardo has served as a fitness professional and stretch therapist at Lifetime Athletic Fitness in Garden City since 2018. In addition to her professional activities, Carisa Gaylardo enjoys a number of active outdoor pursuits, including hiking.
Encounters with animals while hiking can be exciting. In the majority of cases, animals behave in ways that minimize their interactions with humans. If an animal feels threatened, however, it may lash out in defense or in an attempt to flee. Snake bites rank among the most common negative animal encounters a hiker may have.
Snakes prefer to avoid humans and will often warn hikers of their presence rather than attacking, such as a rattlesnake’s titular noise. Hikers can also avoid or minimize the danger of snake bites by wearing proper hiking attire, including durable hiking boots and long pants in snake-infested areas.
In the event of a bite, hikers should not attempt to catch the snake. Instead, they should try to note any distinct markings or features so they can describe the species to a medical professional at a later time. Not all snakes are poisonous, and the severity of a poisonous snake bite can vary considerably. However, even non-venomous bites may swell or become infected and require immediate medical treatment.
If possible, hikers should slowly make their way back to the trailhead in search of assistance after being bitten by a snake. That said, it is important to minimize movement of the impacted area. Hikers should splint the area to isolate it if possible. Individuals may feel fatigued or in pain after a bite, but should abstain from stimulants like caffeine and alcohol.
