Strange news about a snake bite.

[rwt1405]

Anywhere around them Have a snake bit kit handy, wally world has them……

No offense intended toward you, but as a 40+ year Paramedic, I need to make clear that "Snake Bite Kits" are NOT effective, nor are they recommended

Please do NOT waste your money, and time, on these harmful/useless "kits", which can delay access to PROPER care for the victim

To provide some reference, I will include some links....

7 Snake Bite Treatment Myths Debunked – Outdoor Know How

outdoorknowhow.com

Snakebite Kits and Venom Extractors Do Not Work — Asclepius Snakebite Foundation

As snakebite experts, we are frequently asked about first aid for snakebite patients. One of the most common questions is “Do venom extractors and other commercial snakebite kits actually help?” The short answer is no. In fact, most of the advice about snakebite first aid that has circulated over th

www.snakebitefoundation.org

Do Snake Bite Kits Actually Work? A Scientific Look

Uncover the truth about snake bite kits. Learn why common first aid approaches are ineffective and harmful, and discover proper, evidence-based steps.

biologyinsights.com

 

[gila_dog]

Whatever happened, with about 6-7K bites per year and about 5 or 6 deaths per year in the U.S., fatal snakebites are extremely rare.

It's just my opinion, but I think the reason there are so few deaths from snake bites is because so few people live and operate very far from a hospital. And that statistic doesn't mention how many people are seriously injured, but survived. Where I live it's 2 hours to the nearest hospital, and a lot more if you have a ways to go before you get to your vehicle. I heard of a rancher who stepped out his back door one night to take a leak, and stepped on a rattlesnake. The snake bit him and it took about 3 hours to get to the hospital. They had mixed up his anti venom and tested a little on him to see if he was allergic to it. He was, but they had already mixed up the antivenom and he had to pay for it even tho he couldn't use it. So into the hospital he went. They saved his life but he was crippled after that due to the necrosis caused by the bite.

 

[wood714]

Years ago Jerry Mucilek and his wife were at my club to shoot a match . She saw a snake and reached down and got bit , pygmy rattler . She was rushed to the hospital and they kept a surgeon there all night in case they had to take her arm .

That's an odd case for a Pygmy Rattler.

"A pygmy rattlesnake bite is painful and causes local swelling and tissue damage, but is generally not considered life-threatening to humans, especially adults, though it can be serious for children and small pets. The severity of the bite depends on the individual's age, health, and the amount of venom injected. All venomous snake bites, including those from a pygmy rattlesnake, are considered medical emergencies and require immediate medical attention to monitor for severe symptoms and prevent long-term complications like tissue necrosis.

There are no recorded deaths from a pygmy rattlesnake bite, though the species has a highly toxic venom that can cause tissue damage. The small size of the snake and its smaller fangs contribute to a lower risk of fatality. Bites can still be serious, especially for children, and medical attention is always recommended to prevent severe complications like tissue damage.
Why the risk is low

Small size:
Pygmy rattlesnakes are small snakes, which limits the amount of venom they can inject with a bite.

Venom type:
Their venom contains hemorrhagic properties that cause tissue damage, but it lacks the neurotoxins found in some other venomous snakes, which can be more immediately dangerous."

 

[Greyman50]

No offense intended toward you, but as a 40+ year Paramedic, I need to make clear that "Snake Bite Kits" are NOT effective, nor are they recommended

Please do NOT waste your money, and time, on these harmful/useless "kits", which can delay access to PROPER care for the victim

To provide some reference, I will include some links....

7 Snake Bite Treatment Myths Debunked – Outdoor Know How

outdoorknowhow.com

Snakebite Kits and Venom Extractors Do Not Work — Asclepius Snakebite Foundation

As snakebite experts, we are frequently asked about first aid for snakebite patients. One of the most common questions is “Do venom extractors and other commercial snakebite kits actually help?” The short answer is no. In fact, most of the advice about snakebite first aid that has circulated over th

www.snakebitefoundation.org

Do Snake Bite Kits Actually Work? A Scientific Look

Uncover the truth about snake bite kits. Learn why common first aid approaches are ineffective and harmful, and discover proper, evidence-based steps.

biologyinsights.com

Well, my Dad was a timber manager for Georgia Pacific for 20+ years and every logging job had snake bit kits and they were used several times And the bitten was taken to medical care. Grew up in the country and was always very aware of surroundings when in the woods or swamp, killed many water moccasins copper heads and rattle snakes. Rattle snakes are ok if away from the house or live stock but copper heads and water moccasins are just down right Mean.

 

[rwt1405]

Well, my Dad was a timber manager for Georgia Pacific for 20+ years and every logging job had snake bit kits and they were used several times And the bitten was taken to medical care. Grew up in the country and was always very aware of surroundings when in the woods or swamp, killed many water moccasins copper heads and rattle snakes. Rattle snakes are ok if away from the house or live stock but copper heads and water moccasins are just down right Mean.

Well, I certainly don't have 20+ years as a timber manager (I am curious what YEARS these were), but I do have 46+ years in EMS, 40+ years as a career Paramedic doing 911, Flight/Critical Care, and TEMS, as a State and Nationally Registered Paramedic, a Flight Paramedic (FP-C), a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C), and a Tactical Medic (TEMS/SWAT Medic)

So I'm sorry to inform you but no, Snake Bite kits are no longer recommended (they may have been when your father was a timber manager), and have NOT been recommended for many years

I provided you a few links, with further information

Do with the information as you wish, I am just giving you the FACTS

What you do with those FACTS is up to you

 

[wood714]

Well, I certainly don't have 20+ years as a timber manager (I am curious what YEARS these were), but I do have 46+ years in EMS, 40+ years as a career Paramedic doing 911, Flight/Critical Care, and TEMS, as a State and Nationally Registered Paramedic, a Flight Paramedic (FP-C), a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C), and a Tactical Medic (TEMS/SWAT Medic)

So I'm sorry to inform you but no, Snake Bite kits are no longer recommended (they may have been when your father was a timber manager), and have NOT been recommended for many years

I provided you a few links, with further information

Do with the information as you wish, I am just giving you the FACTS

What you do with those FACTS is up to you

Never saw your links, but I bet this was one of them.

Snake Bite Kit

 

[Greyman50]

Dad was in the US Forrest Service before WWII and dealt with lots of rattle snakes in mountains of NC and Va. He worked for a smaller lumber products company after the war. He worked for GP from 50s -70s and retired. He took me to many logging jobs when a kid and will always remember.
Guess medical improvements are just that but what is recommended if one gets bitten several hours from medical care? Daughter is med. surg. RN married to a surgeon and have not asked them about snake bites. Have not been " in the woods" for many years so have not thought about snake bites, more concerned with 2 legged vermin.

 

[Triggernosis]

Years ago Jerry Mucilek and his wife were at my club to shoot a match . She saw a snake and reached down and got bit , pygmy rattler . She was rushed to the hospital and they kept a surgeon there all night in case they had to take her arm .

Cherry point area?
My cousin got bit on her big toe by a pygmy rattler in Washington, NC and it just about killed her.

 

[CALREB]

When we first moved here wife kept her feed in the "barn" part of our barndominium. Had a separate barn built, first thing, but still took a few months. So where there is feed, there are mice and mice bring other things. I was where a lot of us are after the first cup or so in the morning. Wife starts calling for me from the barn, then ask if that is a rattlesnake. Yes, not sure what particular species but fits my bill of a rattlesnake. Some type of Diamondback maybe. Only rattler we have ever seen, been a copperhead or two every year. We watch for them, and I keep the yard mowed pretty short around the house and buildings.