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Old 09-07-2014, 10:06 PM
Lugiahua Lugiahua is offline
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Just to point out, beware of those snake "extraction" kits on the market.


kits like this has been around since Vietnam era or even earlier. But recent studies have proved that they are ineffective against snake venom. UC studies showed the device only removed about 2% of venom.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...08165196508345

In fact, major medical authorities nowadays such as American College of Surgeons, Wilderness Medical Society, or National Outdoor Leadership School have recommend against it.
Instead, patient should remain calm, splint the bitten limb to reduce movement, and transport to the nearest hospital ASAP. Avoid patient walking if possible, but if carrying patient out isn't practical then walking out should be considered.

You might find people on internet swear by it (such as on REI or Amazon's product review). But noted that majority of them do not have training in emergency medicine. Also up to 75% of snake bites are not venomized (dry bite), which might be the reason that some people believing the device is effective.

Last edited by Lugiahua; 09-09-2014 at 9:37 AM..
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