[pct-l] Snake Bite Kit.

[dave at livebythepark.com (David Davis)]

You don't need a lot of snakes to get bitten.  It only takes one, so being
prepared or not prepared based on anticipated snake population might not be
the best idea.  I've seen them or their tracks in all seasons at all
elevations.  Even in Winter in the High country you could conceivably bump
into one in a cabin or other warm place.

On the other hand, some sources say that pressure treatments and cutting
before extracting do more harm than good.  Almost everything in a snake kit
is duplicated by something that we already carry, so knowledge is the main
issue.

Also, how many places along the PCT are really all that far from
civilization?  Most places you can get to a town, road or campground in just
a few hours.  In your scenario, where you claim you could have saved the
hiker's life with your kit, you could also have saved it by calming him
down, parking him in the shade and running for help.  Then you would not
have had to deal with the moral and legal consequences of a botched
extraction attempt.

If you are really worried about safety, knowledge and a hiking partner can't
be beat!

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard" <calliger@infolane.com>
To: <Montedodge@aol.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 5:01 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snake Bite Kit.


> Now that is kinda insulting! Clearly, you read them before hand..
> takes a minute...not from the 50's...  maybe the Jim Beam is!!
> You gonna give some new people the wrong idea about u...but they
> are all on the trail anyhow..!Right!!!
>
> Sorry Charlie...it is a surgical knife..not a razor blade..
> and I did not advocate kicking snakes off the trail...people get
> bit far from medical help and if I was with the guy who died
> I can probably almost guarantee that I would have saved his
> life!! (Barring any unknowns in his health condition!) SO there!
>
> I only advocate carrying it where there are a LOT of snakes,
> and the PCT really does not qaulify as to season and plethora
> of snakes. SoCal areas in the low hot forests do if you,
> are on a 10 day'er or somewhere like that temp and climate
> many hours from help. Like a cell phone. These things are not
> retro, they are the 21st century!
>
> Snake bite kit: 1.80 oz
> Cellphone: 6.2 oz
>
> In light of the hikers death I don't think it is very respectful making
> fun of the snake bit kit, God rest his soul!
>
> Richard
>
>
>
> At 03:56 AM 5/23/03 EDT, Montedodge@aol.com wrote:
> > The best thing about snake bite kits are the little intruction pamplets
you
> >get to read while you are waiting to die!!!  OK , The little razor blade
does
> >a great job on lancing blisters, but the rest of this stuff is like a
fallout
> >shelter from the 50's. ( It just gives you alittle piece of mind if
nothing
> >happens ) I don't think I will kick any 4 footers off the trail because I
have
> >my " Ronco SnakeBite Kit" handy.  Maybe a pint of Jim Beam and the Yearly
Gear
> >Guide would work better in real life situation  ,but weigh a bit more.
TIC
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