A woman was airlifted to the hospital after she was bitten by a rattlesnake.
Firefighters with the Ventura County Fire Department responded to the Long Canyon Trail in Wood Ranch on Thursday. The woman, who was bitten in the ankle, was hospitalized in stable condition, according to KABC.
This is the seventh reported bite in the county since March. Three people have died from rattlesnake bites already this year in California.
Cort Klopping, with the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, told KNX News’ Karen Adams that people who are hiking need to keep their eyes out.
“Check rocks, stumps, or logs before you're sitting down, because snakes will use those as a form of shelter,” he said. “Make sure that if you're out and about, say, Camping, you're shaking out your sleeping bag and tent before you use them. Make sure that you're letting other people know where you're going, when you plan to return, have your cell phone ready to go, and if you're able to hike with somebody else as well, just in case something happens, it's always good to have somebody there with you.”
Klopping said hikers should wear loose-fitting pants and sturdy boots.
For those who do get bitten by a snake, Joseph Reptile said it’s important to stay calm and call 911.
“You're going to feel pain. Your heart's going to be pumping, but the more calm you are, the less that the venom will be spreading through your body into the other organs,” he told Adams.
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