Never heard of this before...might have to look into it

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/hunter-saves-own-life-after-rattlesnake-bite/

I've heard for years that those things are worthless. Makes sense that they would help.

You know, the funny thing is that venom extractors have been shown to NOT work.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/hunter-saves-own-life-after-rattlesnake-bite/

That this guy did well had nothing to do with the venom extractor. The doctor may have claimed it saved his life, but chances are the doctor doesn't have a clue about the product, how effective it could be, or about snakes. He can't know that the product saved the guy's life because he can't know how much venom the guy received. In the video, the guy claims the doctor said that if the snake got a full dose of venom in the guy, that he would have been dead before he got back to his truck. That is patently wrong unless the guy was actually allergic to the venom and went into anaphylactic shock or the guy had to hike for many many hours back to his truck. Even then, chances are he would NOT have died. Out of literally thousands of bites per year in the US from venomous snakes, only about 12 people die. You are more likely to die from a bee sting.

Tests indicate that at most, only 1-2% gets extracted and suggestions are that the product may do more harm than good. If the guy in the article followed directions and he needed to walk, then he likely delayed his walk by up to 15 minutes as there is no real way to walk and keep the device in place. So he may have delayed his own medical treatment. According to the video, that was the case. Plus the sucking action may actually concentrate the toxin in one local, helping to assure necrosis of the tissue as opposed to letting the venom spread and dilute.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124208165196508345.html

Plus, look at the distance between the holes. Look at the size of the extractor cup. How many holes could he cover at a time? One, not two. So either he had to use it twice (30 minutes) or he only did it to one hole.

Sorry, but this stuff drives me nuts. It was known at least back in 89 or 90 that venom extractors and/or sucking didn't work. I can't believe this stuff is still on the market. You are MUCH better off getting to medical help sooner rather than later.

This could have also been a dry bite. A fang could have hit an artery and that would account for the bruising and swelling. At any rate, I say the guy was smart enough to stay calm and think. If the kit made him relax and focus, then it did it's job.

<insert suck venom joke here>

I don't follow. The kit's job is to remove venom. If it provided any benefit, it was not by design and not replicable.

After spending years in EMS the training was always the same. Venom kits are useless. The same as in the movies when the cowboy "sucked" out the venom. It won't work. Staying calm, keeping the heart rate low is the best pre hospital treatment. Otherwise try to keep the site below the heart level and an ice pack will all "help" to "slow" the progress.

I never heard of them working

P squared, I've heard the same thing. Keep the site below heart level, ice and get to the Dr, as quickly as possible, with a call to 911 to let them know you're on your way. That cowboy stuff about sucking out the venom sounds a little strange to this "Cowboy".

Good advice it seems. Good to know but hope I never need to use it either.