Great Hearts Anthem Student Survives Rattlesnake Bite

Jacob Turner, a fourth grader at Great Hearts Anthem has a scary story to tell. During an Easter Sunday hike with family and friends at Black Canyon Trailhead, Jacob was bitten on the leg by a western diamondback rattlesnake. Jacob said he heard a rattle and jumped. The rattlesnake struck his leg before his feet reached the ground. “We just saw him running… We just didn’t know what to think until we saw the blood and the two puncture wounds and then it hit us – Okay, we got to get help,” said Jacob’s mom, Kim Turner in an interview with Channel 3 News.

He was airlifted by helicopter from the mountain to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he was treated the next four days. It was 10 days before Jacob would be able to walk. Thankfully, he made a full recovery and was back at school before the end of the year.

Six weeks after the bite, Jacob had the opportunity to meet the helicopter crew who rescued him that fateful day. He met them at the first responders’ helicopter hangar and had the opportunity to not only thank his rescuers in person but was also able to see the helicopters up close, this time without being in the middle of a life-threatening situation. Jacob’s parents said he has expressed interest in being a pilot, and this experience has only reinforced that desire.

We, along with Jacob’s family and friends, are truly grateful for the rescue crew that saved his life that day. This tragedy worked out in the end, but it is also a good reminder for us to understand exactly what needs to be done if someone is bitten by a rattlesnake. 

If a rattlesnake bites you:

1. Call 911 and seek medical assistance immediately!

Severe or even life-threatening symptoms may occur within minutes after the bite, or in other cases may begin after a couple of hours. Rattlesnake bites can produce extreme pain and swelling at the location of the bite, excessive bleeding, nausea, swelling in the mouth and throat, making it difficult to breathe, lightheadedness, drooling, and even collapse and shock in rare cases.

1. Remain calm and decrease movement, if possible.

Keep the affected extremity below heart level until you can be transported to a medical facility. Exertion can cause the venom to spread at an accelerated rate.

1. Remove all jewelry from the affected area.

Constricting blood vessels near a rattlesnake bite can lead to amputation. Wash the wound with soap and water, and remove wristwatches, rings on fingers, or anything constrictive.

1. Never apply ice, cut the bite area, use a tourniquet, or administer drugs or alcohol.

Do not try to suck out the venom, and do not use any device to cut or slice the bite site.

1. Note the color and shape of the snake that bit you, if possible.

This information may be useful for the medical staff that treats you. If the snake leaves the area after the bite, which is typical, do not go after it.

For more information on how you can keep your family safe from snake bites, especially during the summer months, you can download a rattlesnake fact sheet from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.