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Snake Bite Kits 101

Snakes are common worldwide, especially in the warmer climates where they thrive. Though encountering a snake on the trail can be unsettling, most confrontations end peacefully with the human and snake going on their own way. Occasionally, the encounter is a surprise one, and the snake bites to protect itself. Some hikers choose to carry a snake bite kit, especially if they are traveling in an area known for its snake population. These portable kits contain first aid supplies and sometimes a suction device to treat a snake bite.

There are two basic types of snakebite kits: a commercial kit (like this one from Sawyer) and a DIY kit with necessary first aid supplies. The retail kit contains a plunger-style suction device that pulls the venom out of a wound. It also may have a razor to remove hair, basic wound cleaning materials like alcohol pads, and bandages to cover the snake bite. A DIY kit is one that you assemble yourself and contains basic first aid supplies you need to clean and dress a snake bite.

Read the full article by Kelly Hodgkins on Greenbelly's website here.

LAST UPDATED

May 7, 2022

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Ready-to-eat backpacking meals that provide about 1/3 of your daily nutrition. All natural ingredients. Darn tasty.

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MEDIA MENTIONS

A 20% DEET Premium Controlled-Release Lotion will work well against mosquitoes, but Dr. Zimring says he prefers the 20% Picaridin lotion since it also protects against ticks, gnats, chiggers, and flies. (In both instances, he recommends Sawyer brand.)

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Part of spending time outside means battling ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. For this, Nelson swears by permethrin.

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And out of the products we tested, Dr. Zeichner highly recommends Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent.

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