Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 26, 2016 12:18:13 GMT -8
Going through my first aid kit to prep for a treat, and I am thinking "why the heck should I bring this rubber suction thingy with me? It's just taking up space."
I live in Chicago and generally backpack in the Great Lakes, where venomous snakes are pretty much non-existent. This trip is to the Rawah Wilderness.
Regardless, Even if I were headed to AZ, I think a) the chances are slim that I would need treatment for a snake bite, and b) this suction device is not going to help a single bit.
Does anyone here carry a snake bite kit? Ever used one? Does it help?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 12:49:46 GMT -8
Does anyone here carry a snake bite kit? Ever used one? Does it help? No. No. My opinion, no. |
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 26, 2016 12:57:31 GMT -8
Nope. Haven't carried a snake bite kit since I was about 22, many years ago.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Sept 26, 2016 12:58:15 GMT -8
Here in Georgia we have a pretty good selection of venomous snakes so I looked into this, and the general consensus opinion of people who know what they are talking about is to not use one of these kits but to remain calm (yeah right) and hike out or call for help.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 26, 2016 13:01:36 GMT -8
Never, and I see plenty of rattlers and the occasional copperhead.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 13:05:46 GMT -8
Be aware that deer cause more death per year then snake bites.
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Sept 26, 2016 13:07:52 GMT -8
The Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders kill 6.5 people per year. Would hate to be that guy left only half dead. |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 26, 2016 16:55:06 GMT -8
I live in the High Desert. We have plenty of snakes. I consider them future extreme survival meals. I don't bring a snake bite kit. My goal is to be the one biting the snake.
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texasbb
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Hates chicken
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Post by texasbb on Sept 26, 2016 17:13:01 GMT -8
The Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders kill 6.5 people per year. Would hate to be that guy left only half dead. No, he's completely dead. He's just half a man, which is even worse. |
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Post by dirthurts on Sept 26, 2016 18:28:31 GMT -8
Stay calm, chug some water (to dilute the venom) and either calmly and slowly hike out or call for help.
Do not use a kit, or apply any other special devices to it, just like others have said. You can wash the wound to help prevent infection, but otherwise leave it alone.
Generally, a healthy adult isn't going to die from a snake bite from anything we have in North America anyway, but you'll likely get pretty sick.
A hospital is what you need.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Sept 26, 2016 19:46:12 GMT -8
It will help concentrate the venom in one area, around the bite, and then the flesh will be destroyed.
IF the bite is envenomated, you really don't want to do that.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 26, 2016 19:50:23 GMT -8
The only direct animal related death recorded in Yosemite was a child killed by a deer when she was posed with the wild animal by her parent for a photo....
First cause of death in Yosemite is car accidents, second is drowning.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Sept 27, 2016 14:46:22 GMT -8
The protocol now is to get a snakebite victim to a hospital in 2 hrs as that's when hemotoxic venom starts tissue damage. If envenomated, then plan 3 wks in the hospital.
Source: Camped with a hiker bit while hiking SoCal a few months ago who made the news. She actually didn't feel too much pain and thought a thorn hit her ankle; the hiker behind her saw a juvenile rattler fleeing the scene, however, and alerted her. She had an inreach, reported it, and kept hiking when the medivac chopper came in. The authorities out west take a bite a bit more seriously now. The docs or law enforcement told her if not near a car, there's probably going to be a helicopter ride.
Other news, ...my ankle high all leather approach style boots come in tomorrow...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2016 22:53:13 GMT -8
Australian checking in, I never have a snake kit with me. Even though here we are known for the deadly variety - there is pretty much nothing you can do other than get help. Odds are (as others have said) you will only be able to do more harm than good. As far as I have ever found, there is only one thing you should try.
Every health resource here in Australia though says you should provide a "pressure immobilization bandage" right on the bite site. Most of your general first aid bandages would do fine.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 27, 2016 23:53:43 GMT -8
Welcome Alex. Stick around. You guys down under have your share of evil snakes.
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