LightBackpacking.com

I’ve only come across rattlesnakes on two backpacks. In both cases, I saw them before they saw me and gave them a wide berth.

Although I have a healthy respect for them, I learned in a wilderness medicine class that less than a dozen people a year are killed by snakes and most of them are children — under 65 pounds (at least this is the number I remember). The rare adult death is from an allergic reaction.

At the same time, we learned that when a rattlesnake bites, about one-third of the time they inject no venom; another third they inject a small amount, and then only a third of victims get a full dose. Adults rarely die from snake bites; those from a severe allergic reaction.

To find out more, check out SurviveOutdoors.com.

The message here: don’t panic if you’re bitten.

Still, venom is designed to digest the victim’s flesh, so it is important to get to a medical facility for treatment as soon as possible to minimize the damage.

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.