[Red Badger]

If these 2 Powell County Kentucky first responders lose their licenses for lack of "wilderness certification," then @StateofKy is more screwed up than just their gov, sens, & reps
EMTs Under Fire for Treating Man with Antivenom After He Was Bitten by Snake https://t.co/nbVHylTFQY— Rita Rutherford (@ritatow) September 29, 2025

[Dahoser]

The paramedics did not bring the anti-venom with them. The zoo director did. I know the article is sympathetic to them as I am, but they didn't bring it which is a big point in their favor that they weren't doing cowboy medicine:

Barnes told the outlet that he and his teammate went with Harrison to the airport to wait for a medical helicopter. While they were waiting, Harrison told them he needed antivenom as soon as possible — and that he had brought his own from the zoo.

What would you or any reasonable person expect them to do when this zoo director, who knows the situation he's in, says I'm going to die and I need you to use this anti-venom that I have brought? They call the ER and get permission which is again more proof they weren't doing cowboy medicine. Were they supposed to say, "Well you know what Mr. Zoo Director, we're not qualified so we're going to let you die?"

Again, the article is sympathetic but it's not accurate in a very key detail.

[AppyPappy]

I was an EMT. You don’t need certification if a doctor orders the anti-venom. You follow the orders if able.