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.

 

[Greyman50]

Here's a few rattles from ones I killed years ago around the house.

 

[biku324]

No Martin guitar can be appropriately used for bluegrass unless you have a set of rattlesnake rattles in it.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

My wife got a call from a friend in our subdivision who told her that her neighbor had gotten bit by a snake in his yard and had died. I don't know the type of snake but around here it could be a rattler, a copperhead, a water moccasin or even a coral snake. I'll try to find out more.

Sounds like a copper coral water rattler got him

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

We had a young Lady hit 3 times by a Rattler, three hits and three scratches. Caught the snake, One fang was missing, In Arizona, bites are common, with alcohol being the main cause.

DIdn't know that rattlesnakes drank

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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

Snake Bite Kit

SO read the article and what I get out of it is to carry a Sharpie and an epi pen. If bitten get away from the snake, walk to your car and get yer ass to the hospital.

 

[Mister Coffee]

What, no poisonous spiders, scorpions, or lizards?

Seems a good way to clear the area of City Californians that move there.

Nah, the snakes in the Texas State Capitol will take care of those City California folk. Now, the Country California folk are another story.

I've encountered rattlesnakes in Los Angeles, but I have never been bitten. Sounds unpleasant.

 

[DR505]

A friend of mine had retired as a Chief Patrol Agent from the USBP up in Montana. He was retired for about a month. Was out hiking in Montana and got bit on the hand by a rattlesnake. He made it to the hospital pretty quick, yet died 3 days later.

The snake above was heading for my 3 year old who was kicking a soccer ball. The Model 67 (no dash) worked well.

 

[TLflag]

DIdn't know that rattlesnakes drank

WE have 17 out of 30 species here, and being a desert they had to drink something. As I told you before, your the only Attorney I have ever liked. You seemed to have common sense !

 

[Phenix]

Unfortunately, in Texas we have 15 species of venomous snakes; rattlesnakes (9 species), coral snakes (2 species, I think), cottonmouths, and copperheads (3 species). None are aggressive to humans, but they will strike if they feel threatened.

I could not live in Texas even though I love a lot of things about the culture.
Between the fire ants, scorpions, poisonous snakes, illegals, dreadfully long summer heat, almost incessant wind, and near total lack of public land to hunt or shoot on, I think I will stay here in my native SW MO Ozarks area.
I do like a lot about the Rocky Mountain states, though. Lower humidity is a good thing!

 

[Phenix]

A friend of mine had retired as a Chief Patrol Agent from the USBP up in Montana. He was retired for about a month. Was out hiking in Montana and got bit on the hand by a rattlesnake. He made it to the hospital pretty quick, yet died 3 days later.

The snake above was heading for my 3 year old who was kicking a soccer ball. The Model 67 (no dash) worked well.

Now that snake is a goooood rattlesnake. DEAD.
I have a Model 67 also that a gunsmith friend made into a round butt almost 40 years ago. Like it a lot.

 

[Old18C]

Most time those that are bit are messing with the snake. Either trying to kill it or catch it.

STUPID is supposed to HURT.

 

[rug357]

There was a lady here who got bit by pygmy rattle snake at Home Depot few years ago. She was reaching for a potted plant when she was bitten. This was in the middle of city and the snake most likely came with potted plants from nursery. She lived but had suffered a lot.

 

[rwsmith]

I could not live in Texas even though I love a lot of things about the culture.
Between the fire ants, scorpions, poisonous snakes, illegals, dreadfully long summer heat, almost incessant wind, and near total lack of public land to hunt or shoot on, I think I will stay here in my native SW MO Ozarks area.
I do like a lot about the Rocky Mountain states, though. Lower humidity is a good thing!

Don't forget the dreaded jumping cactus.

 

[Old18C]

These are Mojave Green Rattlesnakes, one of three species in AZ that have both Neurotoxin and Hemotoxin.


This is an AZ Black normally between 3000 and 8500 feet in elevation.

This is what is left of the Cobra that was in the tent with 8 of us in Afghanistan.

In North Africa, Mambas (Black and Green) were the most common snake we saw.

Just have to have Respect and pay attention.

 

[Greyman50]

Down at old friends in St. Augustine and there was a black racer in his back yard then on patio. Nice long one and there are no mice around here then in the woods behind his house.

 

[moosedog]

Here in Lower Michigan the only real dangerous snakes we have are those at the state capital.

 

[Phenix]

Don't forget the dreaded jumping cactus.

Living in Texas for a year would be good prep before moving to Australia where virtually everything wants to kill your with either venom or teeth. And that's just the land creatures and amphibians.
Then there are the sea creatures waiting for you just off the beaches. (Man-of-War Jellyfish, sharks, and Lord knows what kind of snakes, etc.)
Do you know Australia is the only country that ever had a head of government, who, while spending a sunny day at the beach with his family, was walking out into the surf and just vanished without a sign. Body was never recovered. Happened in the 1970's I think.

 

[Phenix]

Here's a few rattles from ones I killed years ago around the house.

Could not live like that.

 

[Phenix]

He got off cheap as most medical bills for venomous snake bite start around $150k. One dose of anti-venom cost about $3,000 but application of that anti-venom cost another $10,000 more and most bites require multiple doses of anti-venom. BTW that same anti-venom made by same manufacturer at the same factory at same time cost about $100 in Mexico

Doctors and hospitals in Mexico probably don't have to worry very much about lawsuits and plaintiff's attorneys.

 

[biku324]

We lived in the desert near Deming, NM for a few years. The rattlers there were copper-colored, matching rocks and soil, and had black & white striped 'coon tails' just under their rattles. Just keep your head out of your posterior while outside and they'll be no problem - we only killed those loitering near the house, in the horse pens, or in the driveway. The rest kept kangaroo rats and other vermin populations in check.
https://birdwatchinghq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/western-diamondback.jpg

 

[Greyman50]

Several times growing up on the farm saw many rattle snakes near the river or swamp. Just watched them to make sure not to close, live and let live away from house barns and sheds.