There are three venomous species of snakes in Pennsylvania: the northern copperhead (left), eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake. All three are species of pit vipers.

How to react is simple. Steer clear of any snake! Snakes can strike from a distance equal to about half their length. So give them a wide berth and more importantly, give them respect.

How do I identify a venomous snake?

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boating Commission, all Pennsylvania native venomous snakes possess:

• an indentation or pit on each side of the head between the eye and nostril,
• a vertically elliptical eye pupil resembling that of a cat
• a single row of scales on the underside of the tail.

The Commission has a great graphic here that illustrates these distinctions .

What are the symptoms of a copperhead or rattlesnake bite?

• Severe burning pain at the bite site.
• Two small puncture wounds about 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches apart (however, a single fang mark is possible). If the snake has struck multiple times, there can be multiple fang marks.
• Swelling that starts within five minutes and progresses up the extremity in the next hour. Swelling can continue to advance up the limb for several hours.
• Discoloration and blood filled blisters.
• In severe cases: nausea, vomiting, sweating, weakness, bleeding, coma and death.

What if someone gets bitten by a copperhead or rattlesnake?

This review is limited to the pit viper species found in our area. Outside of our area you must do research specific to the species and the treatments necessary. If someone in your party does get bitten by a copperhead or rattlesnake, immediately get away from the snake. Do not try to capture or kill it. Do not panic. According to the Wilderness Medical Society, you should:

1. Get the patient (and everyone) away from the snake. They can strike more than once. Do not even touch a dead snake, they can bite reflexively for up to an hour after death.
2. Do not attempt oral suction or incising the skin. Suction is not effective.
3. If there are immediate, severe symptoms, keep the victim quiet. Activity increases absorption. Send for help immediately. In PA call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. (And 911).
4. Start to evacuate all victims at once. To be effective, antivenin is best given within 4-6 hours after the bite.
5. Use a sling or a splint to loosely immobilize the affected limb.
6. If there is no immediate reaction, start to walk slowly with the victim to the trailhead. Sending for help can take longer than walking for help. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Evacuate the site immediately and get to a hospital.

Warning - Do not:

• Use cold or ice
• Use the cut and suck method
• Use mouth suction
• Use electric shock
• Use a tourniquet
• Use alcohol or any drug
• Use aspirin
• Use any suction device

This article is a primer, intended for information purposes. It is not intended to replace real training. If you would like to learn more about this subject and be prepared to react in an emergency, you should enroll in a wilderness first aid class. Resources for this article include:

Wilderness First Aid, Emergency care for Remote Locations; Third Edition; 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Snakes in Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission online version at http://www.fish.state.pa.us/factsnake.htm

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/Pests/reptiles/copperhead.htm

Eastern Mountain Sports Club Day is about celebrating our local Outdoor Clubs and all they do for the community and helping people live a healthier and happier lifestyle. They will have loads of outdoor clubs and resources for you to check out, get involved and learn about where to go and what you can do in Chester County! By being a member of  TerraMar, you will receive 20% OFF Everything in the Store on April17th and 18th! The hours are 10am to 9pm. Don’t miss out on the opportunity and the fun!

As bats die, feds ask people to stay out of caves

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALBANY, N.Y. - Citing the “unprecedented crisis” of bats dying off from West Virginia to New England, federal officials are asking people to stay out of hibernation caves in states struck by “white-nose syndrome.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the unusual request today to guard against the possibility people are unwittingly spreading the mysterious affliction when they explore multiple caves. There is no evidence that white-nose is a threat to people.

White-nose has been confirmed in eight states this winter, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It’s named for the white smudges of fungus on the noses and wings of hibernating bats.

Researchers suspect a fungus that thrives in cold, moist caves causes white-nose, and that it’s primarily spread from bat to bat.

http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=43F0BAD7-07B4-32DB-5C1BACA5444BC9DA

Text from http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20090326_As_bats_die__feds_ask_people_to_stay_out_of_caves.html

Our guide Milo is applying for “The Best Job In the World”.  Help Oz take him off our hands and give his video a 5-star rating. http://www.islandreefjob.com/applicants/watch/TdbptAF006I

I found this video that you are supposed to put in your dvd while you ride on an exercise bike and it’s supposed to make it easier to exercise and teach you spanish at the same time. . .

http://www.connect18.com/05/04/01.html

 I don’t know how well it will work.  But, it looks more fun than a normal tape. . .

Hi Everyone:

We have some great news! The club is booming! So, we are need to expand to have enough events to satisfy all of our members. Knowing that summer is just about here, I also know that we need to be ready for another big explosion in membership.

That means we need more help! I think that the best people to bring on are members of the club who are already active and we know. We have a few anticipated needs.

1. We need a few additional assistant organizers/guides. As you know, all of our guides must have Wilderness First Aid training. We will be scheduling a class soon for that.

2. We are also looking for one or two people to host strictly social events like dinners and movie nights. (could be same as a guide but only requires CPR instead of the WFA)

3. Finally, as you know volunteer/service events are very important to us. We are looking to create a volunteer board to help organize our fundraisers and charitable projects.

So, if you are interested in helping out in any of these capacities, please let us know. I have some big ideas I want to make a reality!

Plus, as some of you know, we have launched a new revision to the TerraMar website. This allows you to register and pay on line for any event (no need for paypal). Soon, it will allow you to upload photos, email friends and network with other adventurers