it isn't so much your breathing you need to be concerned about (at least right away). the bloodflow to your brain (carotid arteries) is fairly superficial in the neck. where these arteries bifurcate there is a little bundle of nerves that when you press on them, (all biochemistry/physiology aside,) your heart rate will slow down or stop. its enough to make you turn purple or fall and crack your head open. when i scrubbed in surgery it was something the surgeons watched for during carotid surgery. this procedure is sometimes done (in a controlled hospital situation) to help control very fast heart rates.

i would have to say...hold snakes in your hands or with the proper equipment. if you have to put one on your shoulders, do not let it go around your neck. not only for the above mentioned, but i would not want to have any snake, especially a surprised/PO'd 6' bullsnake close enough to my face to strike.



daveb

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