Stings are not uncommon. They are painful and while symptoms may vary in severity, they usually do not require evacuation and spontaneously improve within 24- 48 hours. Rattlesnake bites are uncommon in the Grand Canyon and those that happen are usually the result of attempted handling the snake by overly excited and uninformed visitors. Fortunately, like scorpion stings, no one has ever died from a rattlesnake bite in Grand Canyon. If a snake is causing problems in camp, let your guides know right away and let them handle the situation according to their training.
Rattlesnake bites warrant emergency evacuation for possible antivenin therapy.
Contrary to the general public s fears, typically only one rattlesnake bite occurs for every 200,000 visitors, and usually because of intentional handling. Flashfloods are sudden, powerful floods of water, mud, and desert debris that can race down side canyons during periods of wet weather and high precipitation in the watersheds of side canyon drainages. Also, it s a good idea to avoid camping in the drainages of even small side canyons just to be safe. If you chose to drink, do so responsibility. Use extreme caution at the river s edge and on steep banks.