The Gila Monster is rare and protected by Arizonal State Law.

• Although very poisonous, it is easy to avoid.
• Most incidents have occurred when someone tried to handle one.
• If bitten, the danger is in the lizard maintaining the grip and continuing to grind poison from the teeth into the skin.
  1. The first thing is to make the Gila Monster let go. Suggestions:
     • Immerse the monster's head in water,
     • Applying flame under its jaw.
  2. Flush the area with water and let it bleed.
  3. Seek Medical attention.

Snakes are best avoided by never putting your hands or feet where you can't see. If you should sustain a snake bite, keep as quiet as possible and get emergency medical aid immediately.
Do not apply ice or a tourniquet.

Desert Survival Skills
The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers
The Complete Hiker, Revised and Expanded
U.S. Army Survival Handbook
The Venomous Reptiles of Arizona

The last book listed above describes all the snakes you might encounter in Arizona and the toxicity of each. The two considered responsible for the majority of snake bite fatalities in the U.S. are the Western Diamondback and the Mojave Rattlesnakes. If you plan to spend much time in the desert, it would be good to become familiar with these two.