Quote Originally Posted by wreave View Post
I have one of the Sawyer Extractor kits.

However, when I last recertified for Wilderness First Aid, they said they were no longer teaching to use them or even recommending them. They were just recommending wash it and get medical help. I even asked the trainer one-on-one, did he really believe in not carrying them anymore, and he said yes.

This article is exactly why I think it's still worthwhile. In the backcountry, it could be hours at best before you get out. Worst case scenario, using the kit will do no harm.
I think we're looking at two different kits. Medics have, for a long time now, said do not make any cuts at the bite site. The kit in the article seems to be simply a suction device, used without cutting over the bite marks. I don't see how it could possibly make things worse, whereas a layman in this situation generally has no idea what might be in the area of a potential cut.