Stunguns and Snakebites

recondoc1

recondoc1

Joined
Apr 27, 2001
Messages
595
About a year ago, I was listening to a late night radio talk show while driving. The guest was discussing the use of a lower voltage form of the stungun to treat snakebites. The theory was that the electricity disrupted the protien chains in the venom and rendered them harmless.
Supposedly there was a falling out between the manufacturers and the medical industry. Why spend millions developing anti-venom when this works?
Supposedly the medical industry was able to get FDA to shut them down.
Has anyone else heard about this? It seems all to common these days that if something works, the establishment types will try to kill it. I just don't know if this was for real or not. It would be a great asset in the world of remote travel it it is actuall.
Thanks for any input.
UPDATEI found this website. Looks like the shock thing might be bunk.http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/herpmed/med.htm

recondoc
 
The stungun method is totally useless. This has actually been tested scientifically, and no benefit shown.

There IS, however, a new rattlesnake antivenom, Cro-Fab, which is much much better than the old Wyeth equine (horse) serum.

Walt Welch MD
 
Walt,
Do you know of any links on Cro-Fab? I like to stay abreast of new developments for the sake of my Marines.
I found the link about debunking the Stungun theory right after I posted. I learned from it, so I figure I'll leave it up so that others can too.
recondoc
 
I looked up a bunch of stuff on a recent (within the past six weeks) discussion on snake bite treatment on this forum. You should be able to find it. Also, there is a recent article in the Medical Letter.

Let me know if you have trouble finding the info you want. Walt

PS: I am glad that someone is taking good care of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. They badly need it. I am somewhat curious about your research into what to give a Marine if bitten by a snake. I presume you already have thoroughly researched what to give the poor snake! :D Walt
 
Walt,
I usually just issue the snake a stone to resharpen the fangs. That and a shot of something to get the taste out of his mouth.
Best
recondoc
 
Brothers & Sisters of EMT,
Walt Welch,

I'd also like the serum information.

And Walt? The snake would get a very tasty going-away party! (Followed by an honorable discharge!)

Remember: "Rattlesnake? Food that crawls to you."

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi
 
i posted the info from the medical letter over on hoods woods forum,you can find it there, if not let me know.

alex

i just copied the post so you could see it:



i had just recieved the medical letter. the discussed a new antivenom called "CROFAB" made from sheep serum rather than horse serum.

serum from sheep injected with eastern, western diamondbacks, mojave rattlesnake, cottonmouths . the vaccine which is a purified preparation of the imunoglobin fragments obtained from the sheep and combined.

adverse reactions rash, urticaria,pruritus, have been seen. six patients developed serum sickness but five of these had recieved early incompletely purified antivenom. anaphylaxis has not been reported.

antivenom should be given within 6 hours of snakebite, 4 - 6 vials iv infused over 60 minutes. if after the next hour local signs of injury or systemic signs or coagulation tests have not improved an additional 4 - 6 vials should be given and this can be repeated one hour later if necessary.

after initial control has been achieved additional infusions of 2 vials each are reccomended at six hour intervals for three more doses. help in using the antivenom is available 24/7@ 877-377-3784.

cost of 12 vials is $9,300. although the package insert states that it should be kept refrigerated it has been shown to be safe after it was stored 60 days at 122 degrees farenheit.
available from savage laboratories 800-231-0206.
 
Mo; absolutely NOT!! You cannot get the Cro-Fab without a prescription. In addition, this is NOT something you administer in the field. You give it to people in the ICU, as they can have severe reactions from the antivenom. Plus, you need a doctor to monitor their progress. In addition, a course of therapy is very expensive, as noted above. Walt
 
I gotta agree with Walt on this. Only places that I've been involved directly with giving antivenom were in the ER prior to transition to ICU. The only way that I would consider it in the field would be with direct radio/cell phone contact with a physician and an extract bird on the way. Too many bad mojos go along with it. Just because I have emergency airway protocals and training, doesn't mean I like to use them.
Thanks Walt.
recondoc
 
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