It is my belief that people are forever destined to be stupid, and the quest for dangerous selfies is a prime example.
Earlier this month, Todd Fassler of San Diego, CA thought it would be great to get a selfie with a rattlesnake. Claiming to have previously housed a pet rattlesnake of his own, he must have figured it was perfectly normal. However, the rattlesnake wasn’t really feeling it that particular day and struck Fassler, landing him in the hospital. But, it wasn’t until after he was discharged that the real surprise happened – a hospital bill of over $150,000 for his five-day visit.
“My whole body was shaking and gyrating,” Fassler says. “He literally paralyzed my whole body.” Well, that’s the point, isn’t it?
Rattlesnakes aren’t necessarily as dangerous as most people automatically assume. The lethality depends on a variety of factors, such as species, the maturity of the snake, the amount of venom injected into its victim, etc. While more deadly than their cousins, the copperhead, death-by-rattlesnake isn’t very common. Sometimes, a simple antibiotic treatment is all that’s required after a bite, but other times it can be much more severe. This was apparently the case for Fassler.
Anti-venom is only used in extreme cases, largely due to it’s incredibly high cost. Mr. Fassler’s envenomation depleted two hospitals of their entire supply. Yeah. Add that to your already-expensive ER visit.
The total cost for his little stunt was $153,161.25…and national ridicule.
So, even if you live to see another day and share that incredible image on Facebook, sometimes it’s still just not worth it in the end.
[via KGTV Channel 10 News]
I guess he learned his leason.
Poisonous snake, Selfie, Priceless. MasterCard.
good luck convincing mastercard to authorize a 150.000$ transaction ;)
Irony sometimes doesn’t translate well in text on the web. Puns usually do.
But did he take the picture with the snake on a train track? That is the question. ?
What should be held up for ridicule, outrage, and scorn is the medical bill. Pure blackmail, legalized extortion. Only in America is there such an unnatural consequence for admitted stupidity.
Thing is – we all paid for that. He likely had insurance which just raises the rates for the rest of us.
It wouldn’t, if hospitals were held to reasonable charges. It’s an old story, a national scandal, the most cowardly and heartless breed of extortion, and it’s all ours, America.
Selfies. As dangerous as it gets…
Stupid is as stupid does.
So the DIY in this is …. bring your own antivenom?
This story drew national attention after posted on facebook in Brazil. Simply because the account to a treatment such as this one is zero. Any Brazilian who is bitten by a snake or other venomous animal has guaranteed free health care. This served to stop people from complaining of health services offered here … lol