I guess today it's Harald's turn to use the self control button. I am going to launch into a bit of a diatribe because Anthony is going to get envenomated.
First off, a western diamondback is an extremely poor choice as a first hot, especially in this case when it's close to being your first snake period. Add to that the fact that you have apparently done little research on how to handle hots safely, let alone had any first hand experience under the guidance of a knowledgable keeper, the odds of your getting bitten by that snake are very high to be brutally honest.
An atrox (what we call a WDB) is not known for a mild temperment and in many cases they are downright nasty. As the snake grows to 5+ feet it becomes a seriously dangerous animal to an inexperienced keeper.
There is no way we can educate you on proper handling techniques on a forum. We can't tell you how to hook and move the snake, how to use a trap box, how to restrain it if it needs hands on attention. These things cannot be adequately taught in written words, you need to be shown.
The fact that you decided to buy the animal without first gaining this knowledge displays extreme irresponsibility. Not to mention the completely irresponsible person who would sell you such a snake if they knew you possessed no experience at all. As far as I'm concerned they will share in the responsibility when you get bitten. That's one of the reasons I have never sold any of the baby rattlers I have produced. I'm not willing to take that responsibility of selling one to a stranger.
I would encourage you if there is any way possible to get out of the deal and not bring this snake home. In other words unless it's already on an airplane coming to you, call the seller and tell him you can't take it.
Then spend a few months reading and learning all you can about the details of keeping venomous snakes. Find and befriend a venomous keeper, and learn from them. Let them teach you first hand how to deal with hots safely. Then plan on maybe getting your first hot in a couple of years.
You will never eliminate the possibility of being bitten, but you can reduce it to many times lower than it is now. Believe me, you DO NOT want to go through an atrox envenomation.
I don't want to see you get bitten, but just as much I don't want to see more bad press that always results from a keeper being envenomated. Slow down, take some time and put forth the effort to gain knowledge before you jump into keeping. You'll not only be doing yourself the service of becoming better prepared to avoid suffering a bite, but you'll gain more respect from experienced keepers and find them much more likely to help you out.
Now there's a couple of ways things can go after reading what I've said. You can choose to get defensive and pissed off, thinking I'm talking down to you and treating you like a child, and buy the snake anyway just to prove yourself. Or you can see the seriousness of the situation, realize that I do have a better vantage point toward hot keeping than you do, and take my words to heart, spare yourself a lot of pain and an $80K hospital bill, put the effort toward gaining the knowledge and put off buying your first hot until you are actually prepared to keep it.
Here are a few links for you to check out:
Being bit by the big one (atrox envenomation)
Beginners guide to keeping venomous snakes
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/ - much great info, especially the articles
