Long ago, I caught a rattler with my bare hand. It was close to my little girl and no time to think. Just waved my right hand
in front of him and as he rose to contemplate striking, with my left, I struck. Then the adrenaline rush came at thinking
that I might get struck when I let go. My brother-in-law came running with a shovel, severed his head just behind my handhold, then pinned his shovel-pressed his head into the ground before I let go. Can't take chances with a rattler.
Anyone familiar with Black Hammock Island will know it's an environment for types of snakes.