On May 19th. 2018 at or about 3:00 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff conducted a hoist rescue from the area of Fisherman’s Camp in the outskirts of Lake Arrowhead. The victim, a 46 year old Running Springs resident, was hiking in the area of the campground and stepped on a rattlesnake. While he did make attempts to avoid being bitten, he was unable to get away from the snake. His family called 911 for assistance.
Sheriff Air Rescue 07 was dispatched with medical personnel due to the area geography. Based on the location and the injury, emergency crews determined an air/hoist rescue was necessary.The victim was hoisted to the helicopter and flown to a nearby trauma center.
(Report courtesy of the San Bernardino County Sheriff Headquarters via Nixle and Twitter)
It is unknown what variety of rattlesnake bit the victim. treatment for rattlesnake bites depends on the toxicity of the venom, the amount of venom injected and the length of time after the bite that treatment is given.
For more information on rattlesnakes in the San Bernardino Mountains including treatment of bites, visit the US Forest Service website by clicking here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5384226