[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Snake Bite Protection (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/30/2015 6:33:13 PM EDT
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Gaiters or Chaps ?
Will be working on my bit of land this summer clearing underbrush, cutting down trees, etc. Will gaiters suffice or shall I get a little extra protection up to the crotch with chaps 
I have no experience in dealing with venomous snakes ( thanks, behindenemylines for the correction  ), let alone knowing what's in the WV foothills,
I do have a few rock piles on the property, perfect habitat for snakes, any advice would be appreciated.
Dibs get lost 
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another option - kinda sucks when it's hot outside, but it's better than the alternative:
http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/performance/hunt/leather/snake/venom-scent-realtreer-apg-hdr-snake-boots.html |
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“Sometimes I make some money doin' comedy. I made $3000 opening for the Neville Brothers, and they paid me in cash, so I had $3000 in my front pocket. That was a bad situation, because then I start to buy ridiculous shit. Like, I bought a snake-bite emergency repair kit. Then I said to my friends, 'Don't even worry about snakes anymore.' Then my friend stepped on a worm, I said, 'Lay down.' Snake bite emergency repair kit... is a body bag.” -Mitch Hedberg |
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Waste of money. It's that your experience or you just adding another notch to your post count. I'd rather be safe than sorry because medical attention will not be readily available. I know snakes are not aggressive towards humans, but what if I step on one as it is slithering away from me, it will bite. |
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http://snakeguardz.com/
Got a pair of these and they are not hard to put on and take off. Need to be fitted and refitted a few times to stop rotation, but once they are set up right they stay in place after many hours of walking around and working. Wear a pair of heavy hiking boots under them, I like the ones with the thick rubber toe and heal protection. As long as the snake bite these your good to go. If you reach down into rocks or next to a log then all bets are off. These guys have some videos on Youtube that will blow you mind. |
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I live and work(on my land) in the woods, you are much more likely to need chainsaw chaps, than snake leggings.
Situational awareness is tantamount to all other considerations. Don't stick your hands or feet where you can't see. Don't step over downed wood. If you have to turn something over, turn it toward you not away. Then again I live in Texas not WV, so maybe not? |
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Gaiters would be more comfortable in the heat so you'll wear them. I worry more about my hands if I'm screwing with rock piles. Don't forget your protective eye wear. 
http://nrbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/snake-bite.jpg Did he die 
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I have a set of snake boots, they work great and are light and comfortable.
Got them at cabelas Would wear them when I would go hunting for turkeys in riverbottoms and there were tons of water moccasins and other snakes. Had only one strike and it was a glancing blow but still made me change my shorts. I had a pair of chaps but let a friend borrow them and he ended up buying them off me. I hate snakes |
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I think they are absolutely stupid. Snake bites are extremely rare. 60% don't even inject venom. Most venomous snake bites are on the hands and arms. The people who spend the most time in the woods rarely if ever wear them, including me who has spent endless hours looking for them.
Furthermore assuming you are a healthy adult you have plenty of time to get medical attention should it happen. West Virginia will have copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. No worries. |
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Quoted:
I think they are absolutely stupid. Snake bites are extremely rare. 60% don't even inject venom. Most venomous snake bites are on the hands and arms. The people who spend the most time in the woods rarely if ever wear them, including me who has spent endless hours looking for them. Furthermore assuming you are a healthy adult you have plenty of time to get medical attention should it happen. West Virginia will have copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. No worries. Speaking as one who works in the woods, I won't say they're stupid, but I rarely wear mine (and I have chaps and leggings). In my experience, give any snake (with perhaps the exception of the cottonmouth) a 5% chance and he's going to try to get away. Make noise when you move in the woods. Don't reach where you can't see, and don't step where you can't see. I've worked in the woods for almost 25 years and have only been struck at twice, and never bit. But, if they make you feel better, get some rattlers brand chaps. |
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Quoted:
I live and work(on my land) in the woods, you are much more likely to need chainsaw chaps, than snake leggings. Situational awareness is tantamount to all other considerations. Don't stick your hands or feet where you can't see. Don't step over downed wood. If you have to turn something over, turn it toward you not away. Then again I live in Texas not WV, so maybe not? Good advice.
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Go with chaps. Gaiters are a pain in the ass because they always slip down unless you tie-'em so tight you lose circulation. If you're not concerned about snakes hanging out in brush, a good pair of 16" or higher boots works well too (my choice for Florida). We also prefer chaps for snake protection out at the ranch. Same reasons. |
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Quoted:
Speaking as one who works in the woods, I won't say they're stupid, but I rarely wear mine (and I have chaps and leggings). In my experience, give any snake (with perhaps the exception of the cottonmouth) a 5% chance and he's going to try to get away. Make noise when you move in the woods. Don't reach where you can't see, and don't step where you can't see. I've worked in the woods for almost 25 years and have only been struck at twice, and never bit. But, if they make you feel better, get some rattlers brand chaps. Quoted:
Quoted:
I think they are absolutely stupid. Snake bites are extremely rare. 60% don't even inject venom. Most venomous snake bites are on the hands and arms. The people who spend the most time in the woods rarely if ever wear them, including me who has spent endless hours looking for them. Furthermore assuming you are a healthy adult you have plenty of time to get medical attention should it happen. West Virginia will have copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. No worries. Speaking as one who works in the woods, I won't say they're stupid, but I rarely wear mine (and I have chaps and leggings). In my experience, give any snake (with perhaps the exception of the cottonmouth) a 5% chance and he's going to try to get away. Make noise when you move in the woods. Don't reach where you can't see, and don't step where you can't see. I've worked in the woods for almost 25 years and have only been struck at twice, and never bit. But, if they make you feel better, get some rattlers brand chaps. I hope I have your luck
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I asked a while back for a trip.. was recommended gaiters.. got 'em at Cabelas (local)
I've traveled all over the place and never needed 'em, but our guide recommended them. first 3/4 of the hike in, I was asking ... wtf? no need for 'em here.. then the last 1/4 was knee high grass. Didn't end up needing them, but was glad I wore them.. All it takes is one to ruin your day. gaiters are cheap insurance. A LOT cheaper than the pain, suffering and potential damage to your extremities, not to mention cheaper that a chopper ride and medical bills. they did lock in the heat on the lower part of my legs, and my pants got wet from perspiration |
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Quoted: It's that your experience or you just adding another notch to your post count. I'd rather be safe than sorry because medical attention will not be readily available. I know snakes are not aggressive towards humans, but what if I step on one as it is slithering away from me, it will bite. Quoted: Quoted: Waste of money. It's that your experience or you just adding another notch to your post count. I'd rather be safe than sorry because medical attention will not be readily available. I know snakes are not aggressive towards humans, but what if I step on one as it is slithering away from me, it will bite. |
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Anyone know what to do if bit by a snake? Not too worried about copperheads, it's the cottonmouths that worry me a bit. Got a few of em out this way. Obviously seek medical attention but what's the best thing to do until then? I live about 20-25 minutes from town + however long it takes me to get back to my truck from being off a little ways. |
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Quoted: Anyone know what to do if bit by a snake? Not too worried about copperheads, it's the cottonmouths that worry me a bit. Got a few of em out this way. Obviously seek medical attention but what's the best thing to do until then? I live about 20-25 minutes from town + however long it takes me to get back to my truck from being off a little ways. |
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There is really nothing to do besides get to hospital as fast as you can. Quoted:
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Anyone know what to do if bit by a snake? Not too worried about copperheads, it's the cottonmouths that worry me a bit. Got a few of em out this way. Obviously seek medical attention but what's the best thing to do until then? I live about 20-25 minutes from town + however long it takes me to get back to my truck from being off a little ways. This. So my friend tells a story of a family friend that raised snakes for venom. This was back in the days of pagers and not cell phones. So the guy gets bitten and grabs what anti-venom he has and takes himself to the hospital. The Dr. is trying to figure out what to do and the guy tells him, "Look, I was bitten by this type of snake and I need x more doses." The Dr. says, "Hold on, I have to call the expert." A few minutes later the guy's pager goes off. The Dr. just looked at him like  and finally decided to listen. 
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I remember the first time I ever saw a Copperhead.
A buddy came to my house with it in a snake bag after it had just bit him through it on the thumb. I remember askig if he was going to the hospital and he just laughed and told me he hadn't gone the first time he got bit and wouldn't be going this time either. He was fine but said it felt like someone was hammering his thumb for a few days. |
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<a href="http://s1053.photobucket.com/user/Brad_Gilliam/media/Mobile%20Uploads/22959-DEFAULT-L.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s462/Brad_Gilliam/Mobile%20Uploads/22959-DEFAULT-L.jpg</a>  someone had to do it.
The only thing it's good for |
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I work in the woods and don't wear any special footwear.
When I am out looking for snakes I just wear wellington boots. I went on a mission trip to Africa a few years ago. The area had some pretty nasty venomous snakes including Gaboon vipers and mambas. We had a guy that had a one way ticket as he was staying. He had a very minimal amount of gear. One piece of kit was some of those BIG ol' honkin' Chippewa snake boots. He wore them for about 2 days and ditched them. Situational awareness trumps gear in this case and in my opinion. |
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Buy them then. Quoted:
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Waste of money. It's that your experience or you just adding another notch to your post count. I'd rather be safe than sorry because medical attention will not be readily available. I know snakes are not aggressive towards humans, but what if I step on one as it is slithering away from me, it will bite. I like your style, a man with few words.
Anyways, I am still looking at both sides of the coin here, thanks for the input from everyone
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SO on a website that most of the members recommend you carry AT LEAST a $400 handgun in a suburban area, paying for a $50 pair of gaiters or chaps is for faggots. Swell. OP try them both on and figure out which one you can stand to wear for hours on end. 
I came here to post that. |
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Yeah, baby! Out of all of these, you only need to worry about one. http://i.imgur.com/sGYrcV3.jpg http://i.imgur.com/QGsiOkv.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XUZ3O9D.jpg http://i.imgur.com/zSfAzTQ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/MpwIaZ6.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nm0litI.jpg Top Pic is the one that would concern me, CopperHead ? |
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He looks kinda ticked off. |
