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Pain and Swelling
The most immediate effect of a diamondback rattlesnake bite is pain at the bite area. Diamondbacks have fangs that are up to ¾ of an inch long, so the bite will be quite painful and will leave puncture marks. After a few hours, the area around the bite will begin to swell as the body deals with the poison. You can limit poison's spread through the body by placing constricting bands above and below the bite site.
Respiratory and Cardiovascular
Diamondback Rattlesnakes have powerful venom designed to disable and kill their prey. While this venom is less effective on larger targets, it should still be cause for concern. Victims of a diamondback bite will show an increased heart rate measurable through their pulse. Depending on the severity of the bite, victims may also find it difficult to breathe.
Sense Failure
As the poison works through the nervous system of the victim, other problems begin to surface. After a few hours, victims may begin to show new signs of trouble. Temporary blindness and blurry vision can be caused by the bite, as can a loss of situational awareness and extreme nausea followed by vomiting. Victims have also been known to have seizures and pass out into unconsciousness.
Dealing With a Bite
The great majority of poisonous snakebites in the United States do not end in a fatality. While the size of the individual, the type and size of the snake, and luck have a lot to do with this low fatality rate, the most important factor is access to antivenin. Try to minimize how much the victim needs to move and ensure the wound is clean, then contact local authorities and summon medical support. Once he has been given the antivenin, everything should be fine in a few hours, though the pain may last several days.