Stepped On This Critter Wade Fishing My Local Creek Last Weekend

[Feathers and Fins]

just discovered I now have a bee allergy. Does the epipen help with snake bites if there is a reaction???

Yes it can. I carried one at all times when working with venomous snakes, luckily never had to use it for anaphylaxis. It is a safety tool but not a cure.

[Lancer09]

The only close call with a CM came a few years back. Some friends and I were fishing the current and were pulling up to tie the bow of the little jon to the base of a rootwad sticking out of the water in the middle of the river so we could fish the area. I had reached in and grabbed a piece of root and looked in to see that mouth wide open just a couple inches from my hand. I think I jumped the length of the boat all the way to the back.

[LarrySTL]

OMG... OMG

[jdmidwest]

just discovered I now have a bee allergy. Does the epipen help with snake bites if there is a reaction???

I doubt you would want to, if I remember right, it increases blood flow. That would spread poison around quicker in the case of a snake bite. Consult your physician.

Just curious about the bees, did the reaction cause your breathing to stop?

[Feathers and Fins]

JD, Epipens are Epinephrine with is a vasoconstrictor not a vasodilator!

Venom once injected starts working immediately and depending on bite location/type ( IV, SUBQ ETC) can influence moderately the speed in which it's affects are experienced. Now understand that is talking about necrosis and possible neurological symptoms. However Anaphylactic Shock can set in much fast as it is an allergic reaction to the venom or specifically one of the ingredients of the venom. I have lost friends to it and there is numerous documented medical cases of death within minutes of envenomation.

Amongst people who keep and or work with venomous animal the Epipen is considered mandatory for safety. Typical 911 response time can be 2 to 5 minutes or more and that also greatly depends on location. In the woods or waters it can be much longer and the epipen could likely be the difference between life and death. Consulting a physician is also mandatory before getting one for numerous reasons not least is learning how to use the pen.

If someone is bit they need to remain calm first and foremost. Remove all jewelry, belt and contact 911 if they are in an area where getting help is difficult or cell reception is bad get to someplace it can be made. NEVER put ICE or a Tourniquet on the bite location, Never suck out the venom or use one of those dam snake bite kits to cut yourself it will make it worse. The best thing is to LEAVE THE SNAKE ALONE! Only trained personal should ever mess with a snake as most people cannot even tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous. Only good snake is a Dead snake mentality has ended up killing more than one Redneck!