Customer Reviews

The Extractor

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While camping in the Allegheny Mountains, something bit or stung me on the calf. Not knowing what it was, I figured I'd wait and see if I started having any kind of reaction to it. Sure enough, within about thirty seconds, the area became tender, puffy, and I had a severe burning pain at the wound site. After a few minutes with the Extractor, though, the pain was completely gone, and with minimal bruising from the suction, too. The other really nice thing about the Extractor is that it is relatively easy to use one-handed, and the plastic attachments are very easy to clean and sterilize between uses.

After reading a brief mention in the scout handbook I went to the local outfitters to check this thing out. Looked like a quality product so I purchased one. I've used this countless times on mosquito bites, and stings(I've been lucky enough NOT to have tried it on a snakebite) - this thing works wonders. Mosquito bites are reduced to a non-itching red mark overnight - I used to itch FOR DAYS. Stings as well are made better quickly after using this wonderful device. Usually sells for between $15 & $25 depending on where you shop but either price is a BARGAIN and no family should be without one.

"Sucking out venom, either by mouth or with a pump, does not work and may harm the affected area directly." [..]) Also forget cutting and restricting as suggested in this kit (see snakebite at Wikipedia). As for bug / spider bites: "Do not cut or apply suction to the wound." [..]. Studies show the only positive results are placebo effects. Finally, WebMD states "Do not suck on the bite wound or use any kind of extraction device" as well as "Do not use a constriction band, such as a tourniquet or bandage, on a bite." Just thought you might want to know.

The whole transaction went smooth and quick, living in Texas we have fire ants and when they bite it HURTS!!! I have already used the extractor on a fireant bite and it worked wonderfully, I would recommend this product for sure! The value and quality are 100%

The device is great for draining pimples & other small abscesses but I don't recommend for poisonous bites. I spend a lot of time in the wilderness and am a critical care MD. Received this item as a gift in 2000 and no longer carry it based on poor results from studies. Wilderness Medicine Educators no longer recommend this type of product. Below is a summary-from Wall Street Journal Medical Department-May 13, 2009:

"The suction devices are still under debate. One of the most popular devices, the Sawyer Extractor, sold by Sawyer Products Inc. of Safety Harbor, Fla., consists of a syringe-shaped chamber with a plunger that creates a vacuum. The company suggests leaving it on 10 to 15 minutes to extract the venom.

However, a study in pigs and one using radioactively labeled simulated venom injected into the thighs of eight human volunteers found the Sawyer Extractor ineffective. "It removes just a minute quantity of venom," says pig-study author Sean P. Bush, a professor of emergency medicine at California's Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Some doctors fear the deep suction could even worsen outcomes by killing skin at the wound site. The human study, published in 2004 by researchers at the University of California in Fresno, found that the device removed no more than 1% to 2% of mock venom from the leg.

Sawyer Products owner Kurt Avery says he believes the studies show only that the product doesn't work well in large muscle areas, such as thighs and calves. Based on the results, the company changed its label about two years ago to warn that the pump is "not as effective" at removing venom from large muscle areas. Mr. Avery maintains the product is effective when the bite is under the skin in hands, feet and other nonmuscled areas.

That argument doesn't sound plausible to Stanford University's Paul S. Auerbach. Dr. Auerbach, who had advocated use of the Sawyer pump in his 2003 book "Medicine for the Outdoors" and is listed on Sawyer's Web site as supporting the product, says the new edition of his book, expected out next month from Elsevier Inc., will recommend against its use based on newer research."

I visit the jungle and the tropical forest very often and there is common to find snakes, scorpions, wasps and ants, etc.Therefore I decided to purchase this product in order to remove the poison in the event of a bite or sting.
This product is very effective because it really has a Powerful Suction when used, which is its main objective,can be used with one hand, comes in a very durable plastic case and all its parts are high quality.
Is small in size but very useful, easy to carry and gives me peace of mind because I know that this product can help reduce the amount of venom that could enter my bloodstream and thus reduce the damage to my body in general or my hands or legs because it is there where you usually get bitten or stung by animals or insects.
In fact I hope to buy another unit to feel doubly safe and able to face multiple stings or bites.
Suction nozzles with different sizes, which can treat the wound with better effectiveness and safety
Excellent product

My Physical Therapist has been using this device to release my surgical scars fom reconstructive surgery and it has worked wonders. My scars have released from the fascia and I have better mobility and less pain. This is not its intended purpose but is used for other situations in therapy as well.

I had one of these that was probably 20 years old and was delighted to see they still make them. Using this will stop the misery of a bee or wasp sting. I have a terrible reaction to those little, nasty deer flies. I would swell, get red and burning hot. Using the extractor immediately completely stops the reaction. Everyone should have one of these in their home!! This is not a toy so I do not understand why amazon wants me to rate it as toy. It is a first-aide item. Confusing!

I have tried this pump and found that it is good for insect bites. It can be an effective tools to draw acne too. What I am not sure about is the snake bites. The flow is very slow and unless the snake got one of yr major vein or artery, you are not going to pump out much poison. So do not count too much on this.

I wouldn't classify "The Extractor" as a toy, but it's exactly what I was looking for. Brand new too. Thanks!