A man was airlifted out of Lake Del Valle Regional Park after being bit by a rattlesnake in the lake. Here's the article from the San Jose Mercury News:
www.mercurynews.com/.../man-bitten-by-rattlesnake-at-del-valle-regional
The article says (and I hope it's true) that the snakes avoid the busier sections of the park. There's a 10K race coming up in this very lake in 3 weeks - I'm still planning to swim, but not without some trepidation now.
Some consolation: I've never encountered any snakes at Lake Del Valle, and I have been out there for races at least once a summer for almost 10 years now. Plus, this guy was bit because he picked up the rattler, which is not an idea that would even cross my mind. To me it doesn't matter whether it appeared to be alive or dead, in the water or out of the water, venomous or non-venomous, etc...
This is goes in the category of things to not think about. Ever.
My favorite local swimming spot is called Rattlesnake Cove. I've spent many, many hours there, and I've never seen one. It's extremely unlikely that you would make contact with a snake in the water and that it would bite you.
The guy in the story picked up the snake with his bare hands. Don't do that. Same goes for broken glass, hot coals, etc. Also, he's no worse for the wear.
The most harm a rattlesnake is likely to do to you is to get lodged in your imagination.
This is goes in the category of things to not think about. Ever.
My favorite local swimming spot is called Rattlesnake Cove. I've spent many, many hours there, and I've never seen one. It's extremely unlikely that you would make contact with a snake in the water and that it would bite you.
The guy in the story picked up the snake with his bare hands. Don't do that. Same goes for broken glass, hot coals, etc. Also, he's no worse for the wear.
The most harm a rattlesnake is likely to do to you is to get lodged in your imagination.
