Rattlesnake nest (Photo: Reuters)

Sixteen-year-old Vera Oliphant was searching for a cellphone signal while walking in a rural part of San Diego when she stumbled into a rattlesnake pit and was attacked by the nest. PSA ads often convey the dangers of operating a cellphone while driving. Now, it looks like the safety boards may soon air a new set PSA ads introducing snake pit hazards while walking as well.

The bizarre incident occurred when Vera visited her uncle on October 27. Due to a loss of cellphone signal, Vera decided to step out of the hous and walk up a hill to give her mother a call.

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According to Oliphant during an interview with Fox News San Diego, she heard the rattlesnakes before she could see them. "I ran backward and stepped into a pit of snakes." Her right foot was bitten at least six times, one by the mother and the rest by five baby snakes.

With the last of her energy, Vera managed to return to the door of her uncle's house, who then rushed her to the hospital. According to doctors, a total of 24 antivenom vials were necessary to neutralize all the toxins injected by the poisonous snakes. Despite the harrowing ordeal, Oliphant was in extremely high spirits in her four days spend in intensive care as well as the two weeks on crutches to heal her swollen right foot.

An extremely long recovery process, doctors told Oliphant that it will take at least two to three months for the bites to heal. What's more, a lingering sensation from the bites will stay with her right leg for years still.

While the snakes managed to sting her right foot, the snakes did not hurt her sense of humor. Speaking with Fox News, Vera Oliphant shares her lesson. "If you're in the desert, for one, wear boots. And two, don't bring your cellphone or go searching for reception, because you probably won't find it anyways. And you might step into a pit of rattlesnakes. "

Vera Oliphant, a junior at Chaparral High School in El Cajon, will be returning to school shortly.

Take a look at the video below to hear what Vera Oliphant has to say about her snake attack: