October 22, 2004

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Publication Date: Friday, October 22, 2004

Snake bite

A daytime hike earlier this month turned into a frightening ordeal when a 10-year-old Alisal Elementary student had a deadly encounter with a rattlesnake.

A young western diamondback rattlesnake, the most venomous rattler by weight, bit Brandon Beschta on Sunday, Oct. 3, as he and his parents, David and Dana Beschta, were on the return side of a hike through the Pleasanton Ridge.

Although his parents immediately feared the worse, "I was brave," Brandon said. "I didn't cry."

It was a mild sunny day, with the temperatures in the 70s and about 2 p.m., Dana said. The snake was stretched out on the path, sunning itself, she explained, adding that the family had recently found a harmless snake in their garage, which they removed by hand.

Assuming the snake, like the one in the garage, was harmless, plus probably dead because of its outstretched position, Brandon reached down to touch it.

In a split second, the small 12- to 18-inch snake sank its fangs into one of Brandon's fingers.

Not knowing exactly what to do, the parents did some things they found later to be wrong.

David tried to suck out the venom, Dana said, one of the things experts advise against.

David, originally from Oregon, was unaware of the dangers of rattlesnakes, he said. But David and Dana knew they had to take the snake with them to have it identified when they sought help for Brandon. Dana poured out the water from her 20-some ounce water bottle and they struck the snake in the head, temporarily stunning it.

Using sticks, they carefully worked the snake into the water bottle and, as calmly as possible, walked the eighth of a mile down to their vehicle, David said.

David and Dana were careful not to excite Brandon, but during their drive to the hospital, the youngster did not understand why his mother was sitting in the backseat with him and why his father was driving so fast, Dana said.

It was only after he was admitted to ValleyCare Medical Center that Brandon was told the snake was poisonous. A park ranger came to the hospital and positively identified the rattlesnake, which was later released back into the wild.

It was a moment Dana will not forget: Brandon started to tell me his eulogy, she said, he told me I was a good mother.

Through the course of that day and night, Brandon received four doses of the antivenin while physicians monitored the swelling, one of the symptoms of rattlesnake bites, David explained.

Brandon was hospitalized for three days, then back home by Wednesday, and in school Thursday.

Everyone at school knew about his ordeal, and retelling his tale was tiring, Brandon said. But it is one story that he will be able to tell for years to come.
Rattler facts

¥ Annually nationwide, about 800 rattlesnake bites are reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, most occurring between April and October, with one to two resulting in death. ¥ Juvenile rattlers are poisonous and do bite, often injecting more venom than an adult. ¥ Rattlesnakes do swim; never grab sticks or branches while swimming. ¥ Most bites are reported on the hands, feet or ankles; always wear hiking boots and do not hike in sandals or bare feet. ¥ Look for concealed snakes before climbing, sitting or picking up rocks and firewood. ¥ Startled rattlers may not rattle before striking and can strike victims several feet away. -Source: UC Davis safety information and California Department of Fish and Game
If bitten ...

Keep the victim calm. Gently wash the site with soap and water, and apply a cold, wet compress. Take the victim to the nearest emergency medical facility for treatment. Snake bite kits, such as Sawyer Extractor, are available at sporting goods stores for people who plan hikes where they will be a long distance from medical help.

Do not apply a tourniquet, pack the bite site in ice, cut the skin, try to suck the venom out, give the victim alcohol to drink or apply electric shock. All of these treatments can be dangerous to the victim.

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