Can you build up immunity to snake venom
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: Rut Nut
05-Jul-19
Rut Nut's Link
Some have asked me about the possibility of building up "immunity" to snake venom after my incident. I was told by the toxicologists that it was NOT possible. But apparently it is IF...........................................you are willing to go to extremes! Somebody posted this article to my Snakebite Ordeal thread and I found it simply fascinating! I read thru it several times. Thought others might be interested.
From: buzz mc
05-Jul-19
I listened to the Outside podcast about this the other day. Apparently, the "immunity" doesn't last but a couple years and he needs to keep subjecting himself to the venom to keep it active.
From: hawkeye in PA
05-Jul-19
Interesting, but I'm going to continue trying to maintain a save distance. Use to get all them shots at work so i would be immune poison ivy, didn't work:(
From: Rut Nut
05-Jul-19
Yeah, not really practical. I just found it interesting that you COULD build up immunity if you got bit enough times over the course of several years. (and KEPT getting bit on a regular basis)
But who in their right mind would do this???!!! 200 snakebites and 700 injections of venom over 20 years???!!! That dude is Bat-%$#@ friggan CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I found REALLY interesting was the fact that his blood may lead to a Universal Anti-venom that could be used to treat ANY poisonous snakebite someday! (right now you need to take the specific anti-venom for each specific type of snakebite.)
From: Bowbender
05-Jul-19
I've been trying to build up immunity to bourbon.... ain't working but a lotta fun trying.
From: Shiras42
05-Jul-19
Scoot, I might advise you to never get into a land war in Asia.
From: lewis
05-Jul-19
I knew a gentleman in Florida back in the 60s and 70s who was bitten a bunch of times by venomous snakes.His blood was used several times as an anti venom.He survived bites from king cobras,green mambas,rattlesnakes and many others.His name was Bill Haast he owned the Miami Serpentarium.Those bites took a toll however He passed away in 2011 at the young age of 100.Helluva man Lewis
From: BOHUNTER09
05-Jul-19
William , Bill, Haas used this technique many years ago and was immune to many kinds of poisonous snakes. He died a few years ago of old age, but survived a large number of bites without antivenin.
From: BOHUNTER09
05-Jul-19
Correction, it was Bill Haast. Died at age 100. Survived 173 snake bites
From: NoWiser
05-Jul-19
Rutnut, look up Bill Haast and try to find a copy of his book. I’ve read it multiple times and you’d find it very interesting given your “experience.”
From: Rut Nut
05-Jul-19
LOL Scoot! These guys are friggan NUTS!!!!!! I just can’t fathom why anyone would WILLINGLY let a snake bite them!
From: Knothead
05-Jul-19
Not sure about snakes but my father developed an immunity to scorpion's. He said after the first 12 or 15 they were never more than a hard ant bite. He figured he was stung 30 plus times. Most was working with horses and moving hay.
From: JSW
05-Jul-19
Bowbender, you must not being drinking enough. I've been working on building up my immunity to Bourbon for years and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I'm about halfway there. By the time I'm 90 I should be totally immune.
From: lewis
05-Jul-19
I knew him quite well that crocodile event almost devastated him horrible happening Lewis
From: drycreek
05-Jul-19
Sounds like something I can do without....
From: Rut Nut
05-Jul-19
Thanks for the info guys. Never heard of Bill Haast. So I guess he was the “original”.................started injecting venom in the ‘40’s?
Lewis- they actually used his blood as anti-venom? Amazing! And I wondered about those scars on his face. Guess there’s a good story there too! ;-)
From: willliamtell
06-Jul-19
unbelievable Haast hand caught a 13-foot king, and it probably got within an inch of injecting him, on a live set. 13 feet is crazy - try handling a 5-foot snake, even at that length they are a tough to control.
From: 3rd Degree
06-Jul-19
That is just plain crazy. This guy is nuts! Why would anyone want to build up an immunity to bourbon?
On a side note, I actually cried a little when I heard about Jim Beam's warehouse fire. Huddled in fetal position until my mother told me they have over 3 million barrels in warehouses.
Guess I am back to beleiving in Santa.
From: wildwilderness
06-Jul-19
wildwilderness's Link
-Odorless, tasteless, and dissolves instantly in liquid!
https://princessbride.fandom.com/wiki/Iocane?file=The_Princess_Bride_-_a_battle_of_wits_scene
From: lewis
06-Jul-19
Bill actually hopped on a plane and went to a country in South America so his blood could be used as anti venom for a man who had been bitten by a bushmaster I think the victim survived Lewis
From: Buffalo1
06-Jul-19
From: babysaph
11-Jul-19
yea like those stupid churches wear the pastor gets bit 20 times and then dies. No thanks. I will take my chance with snake boots.
From: wkochevar
12-Jul-19
Ask the dude from Walking Tall
