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| Sawyer Venom Extractor in case in a models hand. Case measures 5" x 3" 1-1/2" deep. | The vacuum pump comes with four adapters for different sized wounds (the coin in the photo is a quarter). |
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| The Extractor is easy to use with one hand. When the plunger is fully depressed a hole near the top of the handle allows the compressed air to escape thereby forming a vacuum. Note in the picture to the left how the forearm skin has been drawn into the adapter by the vacuum. It may look painful, but it doesn't hurt. | The adapters come in a variety of sizes. Though in the picture the smallest adapter does not "draw in" as much skin, it still applies the same amount of suction to the wound. |
| Excerpts from medical literature |
Auerbach, PS, Donner HJ, Weiss EA. Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. Mosby, 2003. pg 320. "The classic recommendation to incise and suck the wound also is controversial. Incising the bite site across fang marks is not recommended. Mouth suction is contraindicated (Moontrail translation: do not use mouth suction). With regard to suction, a negative-pressure device called The Extractor (Sawyer Products) may remove a clinically significant amount of venom if it is applied over the bite within 3 minutes of the bite and left in place for 30 to 60 minutes. However, it may also promote local necrosis in the pattern of the applied suction." |
Juckett G, Hancox JG. Venonous snakebites in the United States: Management review and update. American Family Physician 2002;65(7):1367-74,1377. "First-aid techniques such as arterial tourniquets, application of ice, and wound incisions are ineffective and can be harmful; however, suction with a venom extractor within the first five minutes after the bite may be useful. Conservative measures, such as immobilization and lymphatic constriction bands, are now advocated until emergency care can be administered." |
Forgey, WW, Ed. Wildnerness Medical Society: Practice guidelines for wilderness emergency care. 2nd Edition. The Globe Pequot Press, 2001. pg 85. "The only scientifically proven method for extracting venom from a bite site is with the Extractor device (Sawyer Products). In animal studies, it has been demonstrated that up to 30 percent of total injected venom can be removed if the device is used within three minutes after the bite occurs." |
Blackman JR, Dillon S. Venomous snakebite: past, present, and future treatment options. Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 1992;5(4):399-405.
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| More info from Sawyer |