I was struck twice by a pacific rattlesnake. Both were "dry bites" when the snake's glands were not envenomated. I was struck just above the ankle. My greatest fear were the idiots with first, a cutter's snakebite kit and then a huge bowie knife. I merely went to the hospital for a tetanus shot and observation. I know several people who have been struck. Most recently, a golfer went to retrieve a ball in a posted danger area of chapparel. His symptoms are classic; immediate swelling, a tingling sensation in the mouth and intense pain. He is a martial arts instructor and used meditation exercises to slow down his breathing and pulse rate. With rattlesnakes, tissue necrosis is common. The antivenom has a side effect with severe flu like symptoms. It takes a real effort to get bitten by most of these creatures. I was surveying archaeological sites and was overly focused on dentalium shell beads. I immediately borrowed a two volume text on rattlesnakes by Krauber ( U.C. California ) familiarization with potentialy dangerous animals gives an appreciation for their place in the world, and keeping mine!