Snakebite kits?

[Marc]

At a track meet with my daughter, I got into a discussion about precautions taken in the outdoors, and he mentioned snakebite kits...

I had previously read that snakebite kits can do more harm than good in many cases and he was certain I was mistaken...  So I did a bit of research when I got home, and everything I found was that I was correct (i.e. snakebite suction kits do not work, and may cause more harm than good)...

I live in and hunt in rattlesnake country, and I would be curious if anyone on here is more knowledgeable or has information as to an effective kit?

Here are a couple links I found:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14747805
https://www.exploretruenorth.com/snakebite-kits-do-they-work/

[Gamblinman]

I hunt a lot of prime rattlesnake country.

IMO, you're wasting time. Tourniquet, and get to a hospital ASAP. They have more ways of caring for it than in the field.

[ol bob]

X 2

[cwaggg]

Don't use a tourniquet it will only allow venom to cause more tissue damage not to mention possibly damaging tissue itself. Stay as calm as possible and get to the hospital.

[mtns2hunt]

Don't use a tourniquet it will only allow venom to cause more tissue damage not to mention possibly damaging tissue itself. Stay as calm as possible and get to the hospital.

I agree! Try not to panic, get back to the truck and drive or have someone drive you to the nearest hospital at moderate speed. There are other posinous snakes in rattle snake country so be sure it is a rattle snake. No they don't always rattle. Visual confirmation is best and treatment options may be determined by the type of snake you are bitten by.

FYI true rattlesnake bites are the worst I have seen in the US. They can cause tremendous swelling and necrosis and may require surgical intervention. Google rattlesnake bites for more information.

[Kylongspur88]

I hunt around some timber Rattlers but mainly copperheads. Once he bites you the venom is in your blood and it's too late to suck it out. Like others said just get to the hospital.

Your best bet is to take precautions like wearing boots and gaitors. Plus don't sit down without brushing away leaves and other debris with a stick or shooting stick. Many folks get bit on the rear end sitting in leaf piles or next to logs. Don't use your hands to clear leaf litter.

[fallhnt]

Here's mine

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[Swather]

As others have suggested, the best precautions for a snakebite one can take are:

1.  Snake gear.  Boots, gaiters, etc.

2.  Be observant and vigilant.  Be cautious where you place your hands and feet.  Watch stepping over logs and lies where a snake may be lying to hunt.

3.  Have a hunting partner or a contact person in case of emergency and a need for assistance getting to the hospital.

4.  Maintain a way to communicate.  Perhaps a walkie talkie, CB, or other radio in addition to a phone.

5.  Maintain knowledge of where you are, where your transportation is, and where the first choice of a hospital is.  It would be helpful for all of us to know what hospital has antivenin and which type.   It would also be helpful to be able to call in an emergency in to the hospital on the way if there is one.

6.  Get to the hospital quickly if bitten.

7.  If you are in really big country and a long distance from help such that treatment within the Golden Hour may not be possible, you might study CroFab and see if a doctor will provide a prescription for a small quantity.

CroFab's emergency application for smartphone/tablet:

https://www.crofab.com/SnakeBite911/Public

[tnanh]

There are a lot of rattlesnakes some places I hunt. I will not sit on the ground or in a turkey lounger because of this. I do wear snake boots. Rattle snakes are not easy to see especially if you look for them. Most of them I have seen were when I really was not trying to find them. I also will not walk in hunting in the pitch black on one place I hunt because there are so many rattlesnakes. All the above may cost me turkeys but that is just the way it has to be I guess.

[quackaddict]

There are a lot of rattlesnakes some places I hunt. I will not sit on the ground or in a turkey lounger because of this. I do wear snake boots. Rattle snakes are not easy to see especially if you look for them. Most of them I have seen were when I really was not trying to find them. I also will not walk in hunting in the pitch black on one place I hunt because there are so many rattlesnakes. All the above may cost me turkeys but that is just the way it has to be I guess.

So do you hunt standing up?

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[Quackwacker NC]

Ice pack and elevate, stay calm and get to a hospital, do not try to suck it out

[cwaggg]

86 the ice pack. You don't want to impede the flow of lymph or blood into and out of the area. Just calmly get to a hospital.

[Swather]

There are a lot of rattlesnakes some places I hunt. I will not sit on the ground or in a turkey lounger because of this. I do wear snake boots. Rattle snakes are not easy to see especially if you look for them. Most of them I have seen were when I really was not trying to find them. I also will not walk in hunting in the pitch black on one place I hunt because there are so many rattlesnakes. All the above may cost me turkeys but that is just the way it has to be I guess.

In those circumstances, I'd use a hiking staff to make vibrations and noise when I walked.

[Marc]

In those circumstances, I'd use a hiking staff to make vibrations and noise when I walked.

That tactic could prove a bit unproductive for hunting most game...  Fine while walking into a fishing hole though...

I posted this, hopefully to gain some insight myself and educate other forum members...  In the past, I just assumed that a snake-bite kit would be beneficial as they are well marketed and somewhat popular in the outdoor arena...

I was surprised to do some research and find that not only are these kits not helpful, but in many cases more harmful...

Things are warming up, and I am hunting some serious snake country...  I will be taking my kids along, and will be cautious...  I am glad that rattlesnakes are not overly aggressive, and generally let you know before they bite.

While dove hunting last November, I was sitting next to a squirrel hole with my 5 year-old daughter, and heard a faint buzzing sound...  I thought it was an insect of some sort at first, but curiosity got the best of me...  As my little one stood up, the buzzing sounded a bit different (less muffled)...

She had been actually sitting on and covering up a hole on the steep embankment, and when I looked in the hole, I spotted a small rattlesnake...  He was too far down the hole to strike, but it still scared the poop out of me....  This was NOT an area I would have ever expected to run into a rattlesnake...  And it was not a time of year I would expect to run into an active snake...