Snakes?

Samasutra · Post by **Samasutra** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:45 pm

I have been reading other Burners "what to bring" lists and I have seen "snake bite kit" more than once. What is this about? I can't imagine that they are actually snakes on the playa. What the hell would they eat?? Other than the occasional fried burner of course...

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:51 pm

There are no snakes on the playa.

Samasutra · Post by **Samasutra** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:11 pm

I was just surprised to see it on 3 different packing lists. I guess I shouldn't be shocked that some people are ignorant or just plain bonkers. Maybe the snake bite kit is for all of the other venomous creatures on the playa.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:21 pm

Euphemism for "half gallon of tequila" I think.

DoriumLux · Post by **DoriumLux** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:29 pm

There are snakes in the black rock desert but you would be hard pressed to find one out in the middle of the playa. They are all out in the brush and the outer edges of the playa where there is other forms of life to sustain them. There are also adorable little desert horned lizards out there too that I have had the pleasure of meeting.

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I would say a snake bit kit is unnecessary as long as you aren't planning on pulling over to pee in the brush on your way in.

Timezone LaFontaine · Post by **Timezone LaFontaine** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:32 pm

Since no one sells Giant Sand Worm Bite kits, we have no choice but to bring the next best thing.

Samasutra · Post by **Samasutra** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:35 pm

I love horny lizards! Err.. umm, I mean horned lizards.

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:37 pm

I'd expect snake bite kits to be references to something, but not snakes. Snake bite kits serve no purpose but to make passers by feel they're doing something for the victim and to make sellers a bit richer.

http://firstaid.webmd.com/snakebite-treatment

Executive summary:
don't cut
don't suck
don't constrict

do get the victim to medical attention with an anti-venom
do immobilize the bitten limb

Samasutra · Post by **Samasutra** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:43 pm

OK, no cutting, no sucking and no constricting. Got it. Thanks Phil!

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:08 pm

We used to see horny toads regularly where we live but have'nt seen one in like 8 years maybe.

Not since all the overpriced, out of control development took place a few years back.

Horny toads and scorpions: have'nt seen either one in years.

Playa Tom · Post by **Playa Tom** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:15 pm

As Phil posted snakebite kits are worthless at best and dangerous at worst. While there are no snakes on the playa they do exist in the sage along the roads to the playa. If you pull off the road and venture into the weeds and sage watch for snakes.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:19 pm

Like Playa Tom said, snakes do exist in sage brush along the roads. Whether you're driving north on 447, as most are, or south on 447 from California, across I80 or across the Jungo Rd, (High Rd) snakes abound everywhere. There are two poisonous snakes in Nevada: The rattlesnake, which might not rattle and there are four different kinds of rattlesnakes, and the coral snake. The coral snake is a cool looking striped snake. The head is always black and then the stripes alternate to whitish-yellowish then to red and back to black and so on. Two rattlesnakes, the sidewinder and mojave rattler are in the southern part say from Beatty south. The speckled rattler and western diamondback abound in sage brush and rocks all over Nevada. There is a type of king snake (non poisonous) in Nevada that looks like a coral snake. If you're not sure, leave it alone. Either poisonous or non, snakes are very beneficial. In most cases, poisonous or not, the snake will know of your presence and be slithering away before you see it. And they do blend with their surroundings.

Absolut Jeenyus · Post by **Absolut Jeenyus** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:22 pm

DoriumLux wrote:There are snakes in the black rock desert but you would be hard pressed to find one out in the middle of the playa. They are all out in the brush and the outer edges of the playa where there is other forms of life to sustain them. There are also adorable little desert horned lizards out there too that I have had the pleasure of meeting.

[/i]

I would say a snake bit kit is unnecessary as long as you aren't planning on pulling over to pee in the brush on your way in.

We used to catch these fuckers when I was a little kid. They shoot blood out of their eyes as a defense mechanism. Fuckin crazy.

[youtube][/youtube]

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:47 pm

Everything you need for the Playa is here...

http://www.playazon.com/home.html

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:35 am

At Dark Skies, Mojave Drums, AZ. The little guys wandered by camp, we were concerned for their safety as the vehicles came in. Someone told MyLarry, "You'll never catch that thing!" Wrong. He removed two to safety into the the brush.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:56 am

The snakebite kits are for your nipples. It's a costume accessory, not a medical necessity.

Igneouss · Post by **Igneouss** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:13 am

Concur with others.
Classic snake bite kits have been completely discredited as worse than useless by the medical community.

However, the suction cups can be lots of fun as nipple stimulators.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:37 am

Humm, snakes...

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:05 am

the only snakes I saw were of the trouser variety.