To keep or not to keep, that is... a question

[wilomn]

You should get some full leather welding sleeves to protect your arms any time you have to do something near the snake just in case.

While I have no problem with anyone learning by doing, IF you need this much protection you should NOT be keeping hots.

If you're so insecure in your abilities that you expect to be bitten, you're going to be. Being prepared is not the same as knowing it will happen, which anyone wearing this much armour must be expecting.

With tubes and hooks and proper equipment, there is no need for anything else.

You're more likely to be bitten while wearing gloves, which make your ability to actually feel the snake moving, zero.

Get some training and have some fun.