Source: Bluegrass Institute
by Jaimie Cavanaugh & Caleb O Brown
“In May, a Powell County paramedic saved snake expert Jim Harrison’s life after a bite from a Jameson’s mamba. Harrison called for emergency transport, but before the helicopter arrived, local paramedic Eddie Barnes acted swiftly to assist. Harrison, who keeps his own antivenom on hand because time is critical following a snake bite, begged Barnes to administer the antidote, saying he would die without it. Out of caution, Barnes called Clark Regional Medical Center, where an emergency room doctor granted him permission to administer the antivenom. Instead of celebrating Barnes, the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services notified him that his emergency medical services (EMS) license was at risk of revocation. Following a rule change two years ago, only wilderness paramedics are permitted to administer antivenom in Kentucky.” (11/04/25)