If you do have worries about not being able to react on time to a misstrike or not up to take any chances with your snake, kill the rat first feed it prekilled. So much easier, honestly, besides the horrible feeling every time you do it yourself. I get a little squirmish about the idea of breaking their necks and smashing their heads against something but I have to so.. I do. But whenever I can I try to use CO2. Better for me and the rat.