How to Survive a Rattlesnake Bite and Other Helpful Tips

Ellie Blackwood, the main character from Superstitions, is guest posting today. Take it away, Ellie.

Today I'm keeping things pretty simple, presenting to  you...

Ellie Blackwood’s Desert Survival Guide:

This is totally not me.

1. Water. This is nuh-duh moment for most people. But always take a Camelbak, Nalgene bottle, or stainless steel container when you’re out in the desert. The more the better because dehydration is worse than bad. I know. I’ve been there. Totally avoid the disposable, plastic thingies because there’s this huge cyclone of plastic swirling around somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, and we seriously don’t need to add to that monster. If you forget water, then you’re going to have to pull a Bear Grylls and dig this trench and filter stream water with sand and gravel. Looks like a real hassle to me.
2. Food. Unless you want to eat jackrabbits and the insides of a rattlesnake, definitely pack a whole bunch of trail mix, granola bars, and beef jerky. My dad and I make our own trail mix out of peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms. It's pretty yum.  
3. Fire. Okay, so—like—the desert gets cold at night. I know it’s hard to believe when the daytime temperatures are in the 100s. But, believe me, they do. I like to carry matches because I most definitely do not want to spend hours rubbing two ocotillo branches together in the hopes of sparking a flame. For added warmth, be sure to pack your favorite sweatshirt of fleece jacket. Alexander’s jacket was pretty warm.
4. Compass. I thought I knew where I was when searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. I was wrong. So very wrong. I totally could have used a compass. I could have avoided that trip to the hospital if I had packed one along.
5. Rattlesnakes. Seriously, try to avoid them. They make a sound like a rain stick, in case you’ve never heard it. But if you do get bitten (which I haven’t yet), stay calm (because panic can make the venom travel through blood super fast), clean the bite, suck out the venom (I know, totally gross), and get to the hospital ASAP.

So those are my suggestions for surviving in the desert. I learned most of them from hiking with my dad and watching a survival show or two: ↑ picture above, which (I know) is not in the desert, but it is a pretty good picture anyway.