Sawyer Extractor Pump Kit

The Sawyer Extractor Suction Pump Kit is NOT an effective first aid device for treating the effects of snake envenomation.

As a zoo professional-herpetology for 30 years I am familiar with first aid protocol and treatment for viperid and elapid envenomation in a captive setting. Until recently the Sawyer Extractor Suction Pump Kit was considered an effective first aid device for treating the victim of snake envenomation and was standard equipment in most zoo reptile houses/exhibits. No studies actually demonstrate efficacy.

The following published peer-reviewed analyses show the device does not extract venom from the victim and the device is no longer recommended or used per zoo protocol:

Snakebite Suction Devices Don’t Remove Venom: They Just Suck

Sean P. Bush, MD 

"Although each of these 3 studies was done independently of each other and using different methodology, they arrive at the same conclusion: the Extractor does not work, and it could make things worse." 

Rattlesnake Envenomation Treatment & Management

Author: Sean P Bush, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Joe Alcock, MD, MS

Suction for venomous snakebite: a study of "mock venom" extraction in a human model.

Alberts MB1, Shalit M, LoGalbo F.

This is the only proven snake bite kit on the market!!!

This is a very nice kit for stings and snake bites. It is the only one proven successful on the market. The others are dangerous.

The Sawyer only pumps the wound/bite area. The others use old school methods that do worse than good, like cutting the bite area and using a tourniquet. This is very dangerous.

This kit comes with everything to clean/sanitize the area, razor to shave hair in area, and a powerful pump to draw out venom/poison with numerous size cups for the bite area. I am an avid rattlesnake hunter and definitely have peace of mind while carrying this in my kit hoping I never have to use it.

A friend of mine had to use this kit on a bite to the hand and the doctors informed him that the pump probably saved his hand and arm from being destroyed from the venom. He had minimal swelling and bruising and was considered very lucky. So that's why this will always be in my pack in snake country.