Snakebite

[BobbyT22]

Does anyone know whether a snake can bite through a compressed/crushed neoprene drysuit? I dive a Bare XCD Tech, and while it seems very tough I don't know if it would stop a cottonmouth or copperhead. I'm not squeamish about a non-poisonous snake bite, but while going through my mental checklist before soloing in a local lake I realized that there is a possibility of snakebite while entering or exiting, specifically cottonmouths, and I could be screwed if I was solo and got bit by a venomous snake. Has anyone had a snake try to bite through a similar drysuit before?

 

[divermike1011]

No idea, but I ****ing hate snakes! I think I'd steer clear of that water even if I was wearing a suit of plate armor!

Oh FWIW knives can stab through most (standard) bullet proof vests, so my best guess is that a snake could bite through a drysuit.

Why did it have to be snakes?

Michael

 

[davetowz]

Wow, I concur, snakes are evil. I would guess that just about any snake will bite through whatever exposure protection you are wearing. Most snakes have awesome jaw strength and speed. I must add that for me, it doesn't matter, the heart attack will probably kill me before any envenomation would, as I friggin hate snakes. Dood, did you really have to remind me that they are in my favorite places to hang out.... really. (shivering @ the thought)

 

[captain]

Just watch where you step. I almost stepped on a cottonmouth walking out my back door.

 

[neonistic]

You could wear the snakebite gators. They would serve a dual purpose with a drysuit too.

 

[BobbyT22]

Sorry, didn't mean to give anyone the shivers. Just doing an honest "what if...", as is prudent for any solo diver, and I really don't have a good answer to this one. BTW, I dove the lake Saturday, and did watch where I stepped. No issues. It's not like the lake is crawling with snakes, but there is no reason they couldn't be there either. Great Dismal Swamp is only a few miles away, and who knows....

Virtually nothing to see in the lake, just sand and algae, a few dead trees. No fish, so that likely means no snakes (yet). Very boring. No desire to go back unless I have to test a drysuit seal or something like that and don't want to drive two hours to the quarry.

 

[The Kraken]

Considering the fact that you weigh a good deal with your rig on, the vibrations you create as you walk toward them will almost always make snakes move in the opposite direction.

Water moccasins can be a different matter, however. Sometimes they're just in bad moods.

But, the fangs of a cotton mouth can pierce a compressed neoprene suit. A bag suit may as well not be there.

Just stomp heavily on your way to the bank and splash about a bit before entry, you should be OK.

But if things go wrong, can I have your drysuit?

the K-ompassionate One

 

[Rhone Man]

But if things go wrong, can I have your drysuit?

It might leak though...

 

[davetowz]

Aqua seal the fang hole, bleach the blood spots and dive it!

 

[Kiwi303]

Come live in New Zealand... No Snakes!