Snake bite kit ???

[rocketsocks]

I have the pen - I would not use it for Snake Bite.

copied from Backpacker

Q.} Would an EpiPen serve any good purpose in treating a snakebite?

A.} A severe allergic reaction to the bites of
poisonous critters of all shapes and sizes is always possible—in which case, yes, your EpiPen
would most likely reverse the reaction and prevent you from entering anaphylactic shock. But, no, epinephrine will not help—and should not be used—to aid your body in dealing with its reaction to the
venom itself. You want to stay calm when envenomated, and epi does not help
you stay calm. It excites you. To find out the right way to treat a snakebite (and to see other myths dispelled), click here.


Please read this... or take the time for a first aid course
http://www.coastalplainsreptiles.com.../SnakeBite.htm

Woo, thanks for posting.One way a person can get bit as per the coastal plains reptile link,is while collecting fire wood,an activity that most the readers have at some point engaged in.Treating for shock is the best advice that I have seen,keeping the affected area below the heart,and remaining calm.

[WIAPilot]

There was a YouTube video posted a couple of days ago that really made sense. Wish I could find the link. He had handled thousands of snakes and he recommended the EpiPen, although he recommended other first aid in addition to it.

I should have thought of this earlier, but a very good friend of mine is executive director of an organization in AZ that keeps numerous venomous snakes - primarily rattle snakes. Most antivenom is refrigerated, but there are some freeze-dried ampoules available. I'll see if it is at all feasible to bring a dose based on my height/wt since it will be virtually no weight.

At any rate, I'll ask their medical specialist what he advises now since there are so many conflicting reports out there and the medical advice seems to frequently change. He will know.

I'm not worried about rattle snakes since I frequently encounter them while hiking and they do give warning usually. I'm more worried about Copperheads that seem to blend into their surroundings.

[WIAPilot]

The advice that the video gave that I thought was so great was that the affected area should be kept LEVEL with the heart = neither above nor below.

[Miner]

If you reseach snake bite cases you'd be able to build a profile of those who are most in danger as there are 3 common elements in most bites:

1. Snakes are attracted to the smell of alcohol as most people bit are under the influence.
2. Snakes like biting hands. So apparently they jump high aiming for your hands and mostly ignore the easy target of your ankle or leg. Really weird behavior on the snakes part, but surely no one would try to touch a poisonous snake so that can't be the issue.
3. Snakes are sexist and agist. They mostly target young males (teens and low 20's) while mostly ignoring woman and older men.

Given that, to avoid snake bites. Don't drink alcohol. Keep your hands high away from any snakes encountered. Don't dress or act like a young man. If you can keep those 3 things in mind, you'll likely never get bit.

[mkmangold]

Snake bite kits are a waste of money on not just the AT but any trail in North America. They often do more harm than good.

FWIW, the Wildernes Medicine Institute suggests splinting the bitten extremity, not elevating it, do not do any unnecessary exertion, treat for shock (get in your sleeping bag) and then evacuating. They also stress to not use any harmful and unproven treatments. Reading between the lines, that suggests to me snakebite kits.

On the AT, are you no more than five miles from a road (and rarely, if that) with plenty of people coming by. Worse case? Treat yourself, put yourself in a position where you can see people coming and going and you should get help in a very reasonable window of time.



Rather than a snakebit kit, it is easier, lighter and less expensive to be aware of the surroundings. The PA rocks have some rattlers, but they are easily avoided. (A case to NOT wear an iPod while hiking. )

Good advice. In addition, carry a roll of Coban. At first bite, do the above and wrap the limb in Coban starting closer to the body and wrapping downwards with enough pressure to stop lymph flow but maintain circulation. This can be checked not only by visualation (pink is good; blue is bad). Coban is multi-use so carry it always.

[rocketsocks]

Good advice. In addition, carry a roll of Coban. At first bite, do the above and wrap the limb in Coban starting closer to the body and wrapping downwards with enough pressure to stop lymph flow but maintain circulation. This can be checked not only by visualation (pink is good; blue is bad). Coban is multi-use so carry it always.

+1 on the coban,putting some in my kit tomarrow,it's perfect and sticks to itself.

[Kitecop]

There was a YouTube video posted a couple of days ago that really made sense. Wish I could find the link. He had handled thousands of snakes and he recommended the EpiPen, although he recommended other first aid in addition to it.

I should have thought of this earlier, but a very good friend of mine is executive director of an organization in AZ that keeps numerous venomous snakes - primarily rattle snakes. Most antivenom is refrigerated, but there are some freeze-dried ampoules available. I'll see if it is at all feasible to bring a dose based on my height/wt since it will be virtually no weight.

At any rate, I'll ask their medical specialist what he advises now since there are so many conflicting reports out there and the medical advice seems to frequently change. He will know.

I'm not worried about rattle snakes since I frequently encounter them while hiking and they do give warning usually. I'm more worried about Copperheads that seem to blend into their surroundings.

I think epipen after a snake bit is a TERRIBLE idea. Epipen is adrenalin which increases the heart rate. After a snake bite you want to lower the heart rate as much as possible. If the bite is on a limb then you want to apply a tourniquet but DO NOT tighten it as much as you would to control bleeding. You just want to slow down the blood flow (lower heart rate and apply a loose tourniquet). Venom travels in the blood, the faster the blood travels the faster the venom will travel, common sense. If you apply the tourniquet all the way then it well eventually have to be loosened to prevent loss of the limb, that can cause a sudden rush of venom to the heart which can kill.

[Clark Kent]

I was section hiking the AT in CT last weekend with my son. He was leading when all of a sudden he jumped backwards into me screaming “Holly ****” I looked over his shoulder and saw a huge Timber Rattler laying in the middle of the trail. Its rattle was up and shaking. He was about 3 ½ feet long and over 2 inches in diameter.
Contrary to what I’ve heard he was not moving out of our way. We threw a few sticks to see if he’d leave but he staying. We had to go way around him.
That night I looked around on the internet and found snake bit kits. I also found a lot of advice against using them. The part that worries me is the time it would have taken to get help. We were at least 3 of miles of rough terrain away from a trail head.

[Rain Man]

I was section hiking the AT in CT last weekend with my son. He was leading when all of a sudden he jumped backwards into me screaming “Holly ****” I looked over his shoulder and saw a huge Timber Rattler laying in the middle of the trail. Its rattle was up and shaking. He was about 3 ½ feet long and over 2 inches in diameter.

I'm sorry, but 3 1/2 feet long and 2 inches in diameter is NOT "huge" by any means. And, if you came to stomp on me, I might hiss and rattle at you too.

RainMan

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