Well, this is how search for the O' TOM tick removal tool stands, I've found them at 2 vets in my area, there are two in a pack (one small and one large) and they cost £3.50.
They are about the same length as the actual firesteel on the ranger / scout firesteel and look somewhat like a miniature crowbar. They are supposed to be almost indestructible and can be used time in time out.
After you have used one you are supposed to sterilise it (in our case alchohol swabs) and it can be stored for further use.
They also claim that they reduce the chance of transmitted infection because they do not put pressure on the abdomen of the tick.
They come in a little resealable plastic bag with an idiots guide on the back, the diagram is pretty much self explanatory, but they have the word twist in French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch just so there is no confusion.
By the look of it the claim is that the small tool will remove ticks with mouth parts down to 0.1mm without leaving the mouthparts in the host. It's a well thought out little package.
My local vets is about 100Meters away so I bought one this morning, but it may be an idea if we can get hold of the distributor and see if he will sell directly to people of a non veterinary profession (I can't see why not), and then if there is interest in them, buy a box for the people that want them that will be attending the BCUK meetup and/or the wilderness gathering.
I should mention that I have spoken to a few people in both vets surgeries about these and no one who has used one has a bad thing to say about them ("we appear to be getting an increase in incidents with reference to ticks", the vets words not mine). :-D
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