Life can present us with many different kinds of emergencies, most of which are unexpected and take us by surprise. Being bitten by a venomous snake is an emergency that most people never take into consideration or even think is mildly possible. For many such encounters only seems to take place on television or in old western films. I used to think this way as well until I had an incident with a poisonous snake that nearly cost me my life!

I was taking a leisurely walk with my family on a nature trail at a local park. My two young boys were lagging behind as we made our way towards a wooded area. At one point I looked up the path and spotted a small snake lying on the path with its tail in the tall grass. As I approached the snake it didn’t move so I decided I would pick it up and remove it from the trail. I also thought it would be an interesting educational experience for my children. It never crossed my mind that I might be getting ready to handle a poisonous snake. The state of Michigan has only one species of rattlesnake and during my many experiences in the outdoors growing up I had never seen one in the wild. I thought it was a harmless species of snake that I had caught many times before while in the woods. Besides, it was less than a foot long and seemed like it couldn’t do much harm anyway.

I picked up the snake and turned around. As I did I felt a sharp pain at the base of my right thumb. I dropped the snake and grabbed my thumb. As the snake slithered toward the tall grass I put my foot on it and heard a rattle. I immediately came to the chilling realization that I had just been bitten by a rattlesnake!

Soon I was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. While I waited in the emergency room for antivenin to be brought in from another hospital I had a very frightening experience. At one point my heart rate dropped dangerously low. Later the toxicologists informed me that at that moment the venom had reached my central nervous system and essentially told my body to shut down. Eventually it took three doses of antivenin to counteract the effects of the poison and stop the swelling in my arm.

About 20 species of venomous snakes make their home here in the United States. Each year in the US poisonous snakes bite approximately 8000 people. Over 15% of all snakebites in the US are from venomous snakes. The fact that only 12 to 15 of those bites are fatal may not be alarming to you…unless you happen to be one of those 12 to 15 people! It could happen. In case it does you should be prepared. Here are some things that you should keep in mind in case you or someone else is bitten by a poisonous snake.

1. Seek medical attention immediately
Never presume that a snake is non-poisonous. Though few people die from snakebites, the danger to your life is very real and should not be treated lightly. Immediately arrange for transport to a medical emergency center or trauma center. While on your way to a hospital try and stay calm and, if possible, keep the bitten limb resting at a level lower than your heart.

2. Wash and immobilize the wound
Wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible after the bite. Immobilize the site of the wound. Do not apply ice to the bite site after washing. Try and stay calm and, if possible, keep the bitten limb resting at a level lower than your heart.

3. Stop the venom from spreading
Use two strips of cloth to make constricting bands. These are not tourniquets and should never cut off blood flow, they are to restrict the flow of lymph fluid only. Cutting off the flow of blood will lead to serious tissue damage. They should be snug, but not tied so tightly that you can’t slide a finger underneath them. Tie them approximately two inches from the wound, one above and it and one below it, but never place them on either side of a joint. For example, never place one above and below an elbow. In that case, or any other case where you can only tie one band, opt to place it above the wound, between the bite and your heart.

4. Don’t try to suck venom out with your mouth
The poison from pit vipers or from neurotoxic (nerve poison) snakes like the coral snake can enter your bloodstream through the lining of your mouth. Also, do not cut into the bite area. Many old camping manuals recommend cutting an "X" over the fang puncture marks, but this has been found to do nothing but cause infection problems later.

Even though having poison from a venomous snake injected into your body is highly unlikely, it is possible. Now I would like to briefly consider a situation that is not only possible, it is absolutely unavoidable.

You probably do not realize it, but you have been bitten by something that has injected the most deadly of all poisons into your life. All the venom and poisons of the world pale in comparison to the destructive and tormenting effects of this poison. Ten out of ten people die from this unless they receive the appropriate cure. The tragedy is that most often this substance goes undetected and a realization of a need for the cure doesn’t occur until it is too late. This particular poison has claimed more lives than all the wars and diseases in human history. The poison I am referring to is called "sin".

Before you discard this as being just another piece of "religious garbage", please give me an opportunity to try and convince you of its deadly presence in your life. To see if you have been infected by sin all we have to do is look at the Ten Commandments. Please consider the following questions and answer them honestly with a tender conscience.

Is God the greatest passion and priority of your life? Have you created a conception of a god in your mind to suit your lifestyle and personal beliefs? Have you ever used God’s holy name in vain to swear or express disgust? Have you kept the Sabbath day holy? Have you always honored and respected your parents implicitly? Have you ever hated anyone? If you have the Bible says you are a murderer (I John 3:15). Have you had sex out of marriage? If so, the Bible says that you are a fornicator and cannot enter heaven. Have you ever sexually lusted after another person? Anyone who does this commits adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). Have you ever stolen anything, irrespective of its value? Then you are a thief. Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar and cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Have you ever desired something that belonged to someone else? Listen to your conscience.

One of the reasons that I wasn’t afraid of the snake that bit me was because it was so small. To you sin may seem small and insignificant and nothing to be concerned about. Sin will cause you to stand guilty before God on Judgement day and be sentenced to eternal torment in hell. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there is a cure! The antidote for this poison is only found in the blood of Jesus who died on the cross in your place and mine. Jesus paid the fine for our crimes by dying as a substitute for you. God wants to forgive you and cure this disease. The Bible says, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

What should you do? Be honest with God and confess your sins to Him. Repent, turn from your sins and put your complete trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Put your faith in Jesus the same way you would put your faith in a parachute if you had to jump out of a plane. You don’t just "believe" it will benefit you, you actually trust yourself to it by putting it on.

Once you’ve made peace with God begin to read the Bible daily and obey what you read. Begin to share what has happened in your life with others who have been bitten!

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