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Deadly Snake bite in the LA Hills Beware of slithering, biting snakes while hiking.
By Margaret Johnstone | August 23, 2010
Dear Editor, At the end of April, I was bitten by what we think was the Mojave Rattlesnake, the most deadly rattlesnake in North America and not usually found outside of the Mojave Desert. I was bitten in Franklin Canyon, an urban park in the hills above Los Angeles. I am your average recreational hiker. I was hiking alone and was struck twice by this extremely venomous rattlesnake. I faced the real probability of dying alone by the side of the road. After an unbelievably timely rescue by two hikers, I was rushed to Cedars Sinai’s ER and given a 5% chance of surviving. After almost 3 weeks in the ICU and an unbelievable medical odyssey full of twists and turns, and minute-by-minute uncertainty, I beat the odds and am now at home in one piece. My story is unusual and appealing in that I put a face to “OMG that could happen to me.” I hope that my story can help educate and spread awareness of the very real danger of not only the usual rattlesnake suspects, but also these super venomous snakes that share our backyards and urban parks. Until I was bitten, I was completely unaware that these types of deadly snakes were out there. I feel more can be done to protect the innocent public who visit these parks daily. Mine is an inspiring story of personal survival against death defying odds. I hold the record of receiving the largest amount of anti-venom ever given a snake bite victim. Most people are given 3-4 vials, and in rare cases, 30-40 vials. I received 116 vials! It is a fascinating journey of unprecedented medical treatment by teams of world-class doctors in unchartered waters, who unquestionably saved my life. And, as in all stories of survival, it is an affirmation of the amazing power of hope, love and friendship. It is my hope that out of my extreme experience an increased emphasis can be placed in educating and protecting our public in our parks, where urban and wild life interface. Best, Lorraine Johnson [email protected]
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Comments to date: 4. Page 1 of 1. Average Rating:  Mark Goldman
Taos, New Mexico | 10:52pm on Sunday, August 29th, 2010  | Do you people realize how cynical you sound? I live at 7,600 ft. in the Southern Rockies, I will take my chances with the local rattlesnakes(and there are many, mountain lions etc. over you urban cynics anyday. |
viperkeeper
Pennsylvania | 8:45pm on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010  | Do you write for the presidents press secretary "Robert Gibbs"? I think you could have a career in non-speak, where nothing is based on reality.
First of all you're intruding on the Rattlesnakes world, not the other ways around. Rattlesnakes have inhabited this region for at least the past 30 million years or more, which clearly makes humans just visiting their domain. I certainly find the wilderness safer that most streets in America but you have to be aware of your surrounding in both to make it home in one piece.
The average amount of CroFab administered for a typical snakebite is about 20 vials with many bite requiring 30 or more. yes, there're occassions where 50 or more are required but this is rare. Crofab requires more serum to be infused not because of "super rattlesnakes" out there but something far more dangerous, a poorly designed snakebite serum,simply it's the only FDA approved treatment for North American Crotaid envenomation. Take it or leave it.
I would take an educated guess from location where the bite occured it was a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake one of 5 Rattlesnake species found in SOCal. The venom of this species is not effectively neutralized by CroFab at all, hence larger doses are required to treat bites by this species.
You are not special, you're just a statistic one of 8000 bites that occur in the US on an annual basis. You are more likely to be killed by a "Coke" machine falling on you, than by snakesbite. |
Rich
Lexington | 1:28pm on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 | Why does this letter sound like a pitch for a TV movie? Too many "unbelievables" to be believable? Too much self promotion of surviving against all odds? Can you say "screenwriter" looking for support?
I'm guessing that you never checked to see what wildlife might be present in the area, and probably were listening to an I-Pod, which meant you have no business in the wild as you made yourself oblivious to the snake's rattling warning. For multiple bites to have occurred, you were either messing with the snake or weren't watching where you were going and stepped on it. In either case, stop putting the blame on the snake and quit trying to make yourself into a "super survivor". Simply recognize that you have no business in parks and stay on the treadmill at the health club. |
Scott
Phoenix | 8:58am on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 | "3-4 vials of antivenom for most..."? Certainly not in North America where the initial dose of Crofab we use in the emergency department is 4-6 vials.
You left out the obvious and most important part of the story. What behavior did you engage in that resulted in your misadventure.
PS - Mohave Rattlesnakes are commonly encountered in the desert southwest far removed from the Mohave desert. You unnecessarily vilified the species without reason. The bite encounter was probably as much or more your fault and you probably should have attributed to an unknown rattlesnake species.
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