Better to avoid the situations that lead to getting bit.

This advice is on the money. If you are solo hiking the consequences of a bite are very serious and worthy of getting out your PLB and hitting the big red button. But avoiding snake bites is not all that hard if you stay alert.

As has been discussed on other threads, the great majority of rattlesnake bites in the USA involve young men and drunken bravado. It is also slightly comforting to know that a signifigant percentage of rattlesnake bites do not inject venom. For the snake, biting you is a last resort it would prefer not to do. Give it every chance to avoid this outcome and you'll both be better off.