The following news article once again demonstrates that there is no substitute for using the proper tools and handling methods. Hyperimmunize or not, if you compromise your safety, you will pay the price. Freehandling is not a generally acceptable method of handling venomous snakes.
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Snake handler out of hospital after nasty bite
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/the_news_l...468660,00.html
By Robin Campbell staff writer
October 9, 2002
PORT ST. LUCIE The general manager and snake handler for a local exotic pet business, bitten by an Indonesian snake Monday night, was released from the hospital Tuesday in good condition.
Ray Hunter, a 17-year snake handler, said the bite he received Monday from a Hagen's pit viper was neither the worst he's received nor does he expect it to be the last.
Port St. Lucie police spokesman Chuck Johnson said Hunter was preparing some snakes for transport in a warehouse at Exotics R Us a Port St. Lucie business that imports, exports and sells exotic reptiles when he was bitten on the finger by the venomous snake.
A witness told police that Hunter took his eyes off the snake only for a moment as he was moving it and the snake instinctively defended itself.
As a precaution, an antivenin serum was immediately shipped from Miami to St. Lucie Medical Center, where Hunter was taken for treatment.
Hunter, however, said he was sure that he would be fine, so he opted not to take the serum sent by the Miami-Dade County snake-bite unit.
"I opted not to use the serum because I was getting better, not worse," Hunter said. "I'm sure it wasn't the last bite, so why hyper-sensitize myself (to the antivenin)."
Hunter admitted that the bite hurt "immensely." He said his hand is still in a great deal of pain because of the swelling.
Hunter said he was released from the hospital Tuesday with pain medication and an antibiotic prescription for the swelling.
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