Although this has been brought up from time to time all across the different forums and we have many paramedics on this site, I guess my question is this: If you were out in an area that you could not get medical attention and were bitten by a rattler, water moccasin or what have you, what if any would be the best thing you could do after being bitten by a venomous snake.

Now I own 3 of the Sawyer Extractors, 1 in the truck,1 in the house, 1 in my BOB and had very good results from insect and spider bites as long as I used it within 5 min. of the bite. Now I have never tested it out on a snake bite and insurance companies like Cigna and several organizations tell you not to use it because it's ineffective as well as I think I saw one article on a FDA or CDC site saying it was ineffective. Even on Doug's site showed a 35% effectively, all though recent testing has shown less. I think if I new I would not be able to get to a doctor that it would be worth the risk of using the Sawyer Extractor as long as it's within 3 minutes of the bite. I don't know of any portable anti venom that would be available but you would think some of these snake hunters carry a vile or something. Anyway what do you think would be the best carry option for snakebites?

Watch this idiot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWITKklxeLw



Doug's View:
http://www.equipped.org/medical.htm
The only kit worth carrying is the Sawyer "Extractor." This has proved very effective with insect bites, if used promptly. It will also improve your chances after a snake bite, reportedly removing about 35% of the venom, if treatment is started within three minutes, without causing further injury or trauma. The Extractor uses a venom pump suction device, akin to a syringe but it creates suction when the plunger is depressed, with various form fitting adapters to create a *very strong* vacuum, sucking the venom out through the original punctures. )

Jeffrey A. Manion's view
http://survival.com/IVB/index.php?showtopic=33
Sawyer Extractor (vacuum suction): Some evidence of limited effectiveness. One animal study reported up to 34% removal of venom; others 10-20% efficacy, and some found no benefit. Needs to be used immediately - before venom can move outward. General recommendation is within 3 minutes of bite, continuing for 30 minutes. Probably cannot increase damage, in any case, so is not unreasonable to try, in my opinion.


Cigna's View
http://www.cigna.com/healthinfo/snake.html
Do not use a suction extraction device. There is no proof these devices actually help, and they cause further injury and increase your chances of having an infection.

Others
http://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/foru...178b664d51ecaf1