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If you have local Death Adders, I'm guessing you're in Australia. That being the case, and since there are so many venomous animals in that part of the world, s

If you have local Death Adders, I'm guessing you're in Australia. That being the case, and since there are so many venomous animals in that part of the world, shouldn't you have an anti-venom kit on hand at all times kind of like most people have fire extinguishers and first aid kits?

Jedd 9y ago
Yes - about 200km north west of Sydney. At least we don't see taipans. And... possibly. But my understanding is they're expensive / in short supply, require careful environmental control (though a fridge probably cuts it) and they have a relatively short shelf life. Plus in many cases, people most at risk are a good way from cool storage. I think there's also a need in some - but thankfully not all cases now - to identify the species via swab & test. If you get bit, you probably know the type that bit you, but it's not guaranteed.
- jakeogh 9y ago
  Perfect use case for a long range drone.
caf 9y ago
Not even all regional hospitals are stocking antivenom anymore :( http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/snake-bite-deaths-could-rise-if-hospitals-dont-stock-antivenom/9365082 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/snake-bite-deaths-coul...
robbiep 9y ago
About 50% or more of cases don’t actually result in envenomation, so you would be wasting expensive antivenom that comes itself with severe side effects. Death adders and tipans will end your life rapidly but browns, blacks and the rest you should have enough time to get to hospital. When someone turns up in ED we need to make sure they are envenomated before administering the antidote. Further, everything in health is decided by economics. There are 550 snake bites in Australia (approx) with around 2 deaths a year. Antivenom costs around $5-10k per hit. Economics of making it ‘more’ available don’t really add up, and we do a pretty damn good with current availability
Gustomaximus 9y ago
I live acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane. We see these snakes semi regularly. Its a fairly low risk. Something like 70/80% of bites happen when someone is trying to catch/kill the snake. Browns and Taipans are the ones I'm afraid of, the rest are unlikely to kill you. What we do is keep compression bandages ready. Other than anti-venom, which I believe is expensive and has a 5 year shelf life if refrigerated, this is the next best thing you can do. I know of some people at very remote properties keep antivenom but they are many hours from a hospital. Here's a naughty python I had to get out of the chicken coop 2 weeks ago: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FS1oVoxdW4hXTnsx1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/FS1oVoxdW4hXTnsx1

Jedd 9y ago

Yes - about 200km north west of Sydney. At least we don't see taipans. And... possibly. But my understanding is they're expensive / in short supply, require careful environmental control (though a fridge probably cuts it) and they have a relatively short shelf life. Plus in many cases, people most at risk are a good way from cool storage. I think there's also a need in some - but thankfully not all cases now - to identify the species via swab & test. If you get bit, you probably know the type that bit you, but it's not guaranteed.

jakeogh 9y ago
Perfect use case for a long range drone.

caf 9y ago

Not even all regional hospitals are stocking antivenom anymore :( http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/snake-bite-deaths-could-rise-if-hospitals-dont-stock-antivenom/9365082 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/snake-bite-deaths-coul...

robbiep 9y ago

About 50% or more of cases don’t actually result in envenomation, so you would be wasting expensive antivenom that comes itself with severe side effects. Death adders and tipans will end your life rapidly but browns, blacks and the rest you should have enough time to get to hospital. When someone turns up in ED we need to make sure they are envenomated before administering the antidote. Further, everything in health is decided by economics. There are 550 snake bites in Australia (approx) with around 2 deaths a year. Antivenom costs around $5-10k per hit. Economics of making it ‘more’ available don’t really add up, and we do a pretty damn good with current availability

Gustomaximus 9y ago

I live acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane. We see these snakes semi regularly. Its a fairly low risk. Something like 70/80% of bites happen when someone is trying to catch/kill the snake. Browns and Taipans are the ones I'm afraid of, the rest are unlikely to kill you. What we do is keep compression bandages ready. Other than anti-venom, which I believe is expensive and has a 5 year shelf life if refrigerated, this is the next best thing you can do. I know of some people at very remote properties keep antivenom but they are many hours from a hospital. Here's a naughty python I had to get out of the chicken coop 2 weeks ago: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FS1oVoxdW4hXTnsx1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/FS1oVoxdW4hXTnsx1