Heat & Cold
Exposure to heat can cause cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Painful muscle spasms, usually in the leg and abdomen, are the first signs of heat stress.
Heat exhaustion is more severe. Symptoms include cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; and headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. Heat stroke is a severe heat emergency characterized by hot, dry red skin; unconsciousness, rapid weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing. For any heat stress, get the victim to rest in a cool location, and give them a small amount of water or sports drink. Loosen tight clothing and apply cool wet cloth to their skin. DO NOT give salt tablets or salt water. If a heat stress victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness continue to cool their body and get them emergency medical care.
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature that can happen quickly when someone gets wet or when it is very windy. Shivering numbness, a blank look, and unconsciousness are signs of hypothermia. Get the victim out of the cold and out of wet clothes. Dry the person and warm them gradually in dry clothing or blankets. If the victim has lost consciousness or has stopped breathing, get them emergency medical care.
Lightning
Lightning kills approximately 75 people each year in the United States. Lightning occurs frequently in the desert during thunderstorms, even if no rain is falling. If you see gathering storm clouds or lightning, or hear thunder, there is a growing risk that lightning could strike. Take cover in a vehicle or building if possible. Otherwise, move to low areas like canyon bottoms. Do not take cover under tall trees, but if you are seeking shelter from the rain, choose a tree that tops out below the canyon sides and below other trees. If you are in a barren area and lightning is getting close, lay flat on the ground in a depression. You can tell how close lightning is by counting the seconds between the time you see the lightning and hear the thunder. The lightning is a thousand feet away for each second you count. Take cover when lightning is within three miles (15 seconds). Do not wait for the lightning to get dangerously close before you decide to take cover
Rattlesnakes and Other Reptiles
Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in New Mexico except for the Arizona corral snake. Many harmless and beneficial snakes are killed each year because they mimic coral snakes or act like rattlesnakes. All rattlesnakes are venomous, with larger animals being generally more dangerous because they can deliver more venom. Venoms very in strength among different species, among individuals within a species, and even at different times for an individual snake. Approximately half of the rattlesnakes’ bites are dry, meaning they don’t always inject venom to protect themselves.
This is advantageous to the snakes, since they need their venom to catch food.
Snakebites kill less than 20 people per year in the United States. Most people who get bitten by snakes are trying to tease, catch or kill them. Remember rattlesnakes can be found anywhere in New Mexico, from the middle of cities to wild lands from deserts to grasslands to mountains. The best snakebite safety is to avoid being bitten. Watch where you walk, put your hands and sit. Don’t step over rocks or logs or through thick vegetation where visibility is poor. If you see a snake, leave it alone and it will leave you alone. Believe it or not, snakes are more scared of you than you are of them.
If someone is bitten it is important for them to remain calm and seek immediate medical attention. The bite should not be cut into, which can cause far more severe damage to blood vessels, connective tissue and muscles than the snakebite itself. The site of the bite should be kept below the level of the heart. Commercial snakebite kits are fairly worthless or even dangerous, since they contains razor blade that people use to cut into themselves. Also, the suction cup is not strong enough to remove venom, which binds instantly to the victim’s tissues. A restrictive bandage may be used, but never apply a tourniquet unless you are sure it is necessary to sacrifice a limb to save a life. Bring the snake along for identification if you can do so safely, even just the tail end of the snake. Remember that a dead rattlesnake can still give a lethal bite.
Spiders and Other Arachnids
Venomous spiders, scorpions and insects are common residents in New Mexico. If you are bitten or stung by one, seek medical attention. Bring the animal along for identification if you can do so safely.
The black widow is the most common venomous spider in this area and is responsible for about half of all venomous spider bites in the United States. It has a large, shiny black body with a red hourglass on the belly, and may have white and red markings on the back. It builds a messy-looking web under rocks, logs and other debris. Other venomous spiders in New Mexico include the brown recluse and many species of small spiders
Scorpions are abundant in the desert. The scorpions in this area do not have the high potency venom of those in some other parts of the world, but a sting can be dangerous to someone who is allergic to the venom. Scorpion stings are generally quite painful for a short time.
