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Snake Bite Protection Gear: Gaiters vs. Boots

 So, instead of risking your life, it’s always recommended to add convenient anti-snake equipment to your essential camping gear list once you start getting ready for your next adventure.
source:lens.monash.edu

If you’re a camping or hiking enthusiast, or you simply want to explore and discover mother nature’s hidden gems, you probably know that our land is one of the places that has to offer the most. But what you may have not known is that our wonderful landscape is the homeland of over 100 types of venomous snakes that won’t hesitate to approach once you cross paths. So, instead of risking your life, it’s always recommended to add convenient anti-snake equipment to your essential camping gear list once you start getting ready for your next adventure.

Why are Snake Gaiters Better than Snake Boots

When it comes to choosing equipment that will keep venomous teeth away, you can take a pick between a couple of options, and snake protection gaiters and boots are the most popular ones since they’re known to offer the best protection.

And even though many experts will recommend boots since they’re sturdier than any other snake-proof equipment, snake-proof leg gaiters are more convenient. So, if you were in doubt about what kind of equipment is best to protect yourself from the dangerous snakes in our land, I highly recommend getting a pair of snake resistant gaiters.

Choosing the Right Snake Proof Gaiters

But even if you’ve decided to hit the market and explore venom snake gaiters, know that they won’t serve their purpose if you don’t choose the right pair. This is why I put together a couple of useful tips to help you choose the right protection against life-endangering snakes.

if you've decided to hit the market and explore venom snake gaiters, know that they won’t serve their purpose if you don’t choose the right pair
source:climbingreviewed.com

Materials

Gaiters for camping and hiking are mostly intended to protect you from branches, nettles, etc. from getting in touch with your feet and legs as well as from the many intruders living in the wilderness. Such gaiters are usually made of synthetic materials since they’re considered the most lightweight, breathable and waterproof fabrics that are able to give you a decent level of protection. Poly-cotton and polycarbonate fabrics are also considered to provide good protection against many creepy crawlies such as ticks, bugs and different dangerous insects and reptiles.

But when it comes to venom snake gaiters, manufacturers Australia wide tend to produce them from fabrics such as dual-layer Cordura, which is a type of tough polyester used for survival equipment in tough environments. Reptex fabrics are also among the most recommended snake-repelling materials since they’re also multi-layered, highly tensile and resistant to ripping. Some anti-snake gaiters can be also found coated in Iron-Stealth fabrics, which is also a recommended option to ensure additional protection.

Size

When it comes to the gaiters’ size, it’s of great importance to choose the right one. If they’re too tight, they will make you feel extremely uncomfortable and if they’re too loose, they won’t give you the protection you’re looking for.

For this purpose, it’s always best to measure your circumference. You can do this by wrapping up a flexible tape measure around the largest part of your calf muscle while wearing your usual camping or hiking pants. Then, make sure you record the measurement and check your manufacturer’s sizing chart for the most optimal fit.

When it comes to the gaiters’ height, there’re a couple of options, each of them offering different levels of protection:

  • Low gaiters are usually from 20 to 30cm tall. These gaiters will cover the area below your ankles and are not recommended for areas where there’re a lot of venomous snakes.
  • High gaiters are usually from 38 to 45cm. Such gaiters are often called leggings and will cover the area below your calf, which makes them perfect for areas where there’re a lot of snakes.
  • Chaps are the snake bite gaiters type that offers maximum protection since they’ll cover the entire leg area. Aside from protecting you from venomous snakes, chaps are also recommended for use in rugged areas and extreme conditions.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Snake Bites

But regardless of what kind of anti-snake gaiters you choose, there’re always a couple of things you can do to protect yourself if one of the many dangerous Australian snakes approaches you during your adventure.

The first step towards protecting yourself is to always stay on trails and avoid underbrushes and tall weeds. These are the places where snakes tend to hide from predators and the high temperatures, and they tend to attack right away if you accidentally step into their space.

regardless of what kind of anti-snake gaiters you choose, there’re always a couple of things you can do to protect yourself if one of the many dangerous Australian snakes approaches you during your adventure.
source:mappingmegan.com

Also, even if you spot a snake that appears to be dead, make sure you don’t get close to it or by any chance disturb it. Snakes tend to stay in a still position until they find an opportunity to strike and attack their prey by surprise, and approaching it will only get you bitten and infected. Further, some snakes that are freshly killed can still bite, so make sure you don’t stay in their reach if you spot one.

While some of the venomous snakes tend to hide in bushes, patches of dense shrubs or tall weeds, it’s not uncommon for some species to camouflage themselves under piles of rocks and logs. So, if you’re tempted to pick one or sit down to rest, make sure you inspect carefully, so you avoid disturbing a snake and getting bitten.

What if You Get Bitten?

Regardless of how much you’re trying to protect yourself, snakes are smart creatures that know when and how to attack. This is why it’s recommended to never go exploring nature alone and have somebody who can assist in such emergencies.

And regardless if you’re the one who is bitten or you’re in the role of a rescuer, always try to remember the colour, patterns and shape of the snake. This will help you get the right treatment for the snake bite. Also, don’t forget to remain still and calm, since this way you’ll slow down the venom spreading process if the snake was venomous.

Lastly, don’t apply any kinds of tourniquets, ice, alcohol or try to suck out the venom or slice the wound, but dial your Local Emergency Medical Service to seek medical help. Also, it’s best to keep the affected extremity below heart level until you get transported to a medical facility.

regardless if you’re the one who is bitten or you’re in the role of a rescuer, always try to remember the colour, patterns and shape of the snake
source:birminghammail.co.uk