GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — After a recent rattlesnake bite death, officials say, although rare, it is still important to be vigilant on hikes.

A man died Friday after being bitten by a rattlesnake while visiting Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County, according to Grundy County Emergency Management.

Park rangers said they received a distress call Friday afternoon and found the man suffering from a venomous snake bite. Emergency crews reportedly performed CPR before he was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Rattlesnake bites are rare in Tennessee; about 50 are reported statewide each year, but doctors said they can be dangerous.

“In certain people, the venom can even have deadly effects, where you would have an allergic reaction to the venom, or it can get into the bloodstream much faster and cause much more severe symptoms,” said Dr. Joshua Justice, medical director at TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

Justice said the first step in treatment is preventing swelling. If a venomous snake is suspected, antivenom is administered — sometimes in multiple doses. 

In severe cases, patients may be transferred to a higher-level facility for ongoing observation and care from specialists, such as toxicologists or surgeons.

Experts stress that hikers should know how to react if they encounter a snake.

“The best thing to do is try to remain still, calm, back away — don’t try to approach the snake,” said Matthew Griffith, Grundy County’s emergency management director.

Safety tips for hikers include carrying a walking stick to help move a snake away from the trail and being alert when sitting near benches or rocks.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/doctors-share-lifesaving-tips-after-rare-rattlesnake-encounter-in-middle-tennessee/