Health and safety training about snakes

There are around 160 species of snakes in South Africa. Only 20 species are venomous and have the potential to dish out a deadly bite, and there are an estimated 10-12 deaths as a result of snakebites in South Africa each year. Dealing with snakes safely requires background knowledge and health and safety training awareness and capabilities. In just a few minutes of reading, learn about the importance of health and safety training regarding snakes as well as how to recognise some.

Health and safety training in the case of a snakebite or handling emergency

Emcare offers a snake handling and safety awareness course, a multi-faceted training program that acknowledges not only the best practices for emergency situations, but also the importance of conservation and co-existence. The course is delivered by experienced and professional snake handlers, well versed with the practice and ready to share their knowledge.

The course includes:

• Basic first aid treatment and practices for snakebites
• CPR
• Rescue breathing techniques
• Understanding snake identification
• Understanding snake biology
• Conservation information

Practical venomous snake handling skills

There are various misconceptions about how to treat snakebites in the moment. Applying the incorrect treatments before reaching a hospital oftentimes worsens the situation drastically, which is why health and safety training about the correct methods and practices is crucial and highly beneficial.

Who would benefit from a health and safety training course about snakes?

This course could mean the difference between life and death not only for yourself, but those around you, whether that be in a personal or professional capacity. In other words, whether you are a hiking buff or mountain guide or even someone who does not usually enjoy spending time outside, the course’s benefits may always come in handy. Snakes are great masters of camouflage, and just because we do not always see them, it does not mean that they are not around us frequently.

Misinformation often leads to snakes being killed by humans with impunity, and on many occasions they are killed as a result of fear and lack of education. As important members in the food chain and fragile environment, snakes lack the protection that more furry and “cute” animals enjoy. Taking part in a health and safety training course about snakes can broaden your knowledge and help with conservation efforts as well as equipping you for emergency situations.

Whether you are hiking in the South African bush, gardening or simply carrying about your daily activities, there is always a risk you may encounter a venomous snake. Even though snakebites are not as common an occurrence as many people may think, it is important to know which snakes pack deadly bites and which do not – in the unlikely event that you do get bitten. The following is a brief guide on 5 of the country’s most dangerous snakes and where to look out for them:

1. Puff Adder

These camouflaged and large snakes often cause the most trouble, and are responsible for the most human fatalities out of any other snake species in Africa. Unlike many other species, they do not often retreat when they hear something approaching. This means that they usually end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and become frightened by sudden movement.

While considerably thick, puff adders are usually no longer than 1 metre in length. They are recognisable by their flat, triangular heads, and blackish or brown colouring. They have a row of dark chevron shapes with pale edges that run down their backs, and as such are relatively easy to identify. These snakes enjoy finding sunny spots to curl up and warm themselves, and you will find them dispersed across Africa.

If you find yourself or someone else a victim of a puff adder bite, symptoms may include:

• Swelling
• Intense pain
• Haemorrhages
• Nausea

It is important to know that a loose-fit bandage must be applied and it should not be removed until an anti-venom has been administered and begins to take effect. This is but one thing you will learn during your health and safety training course. On your way to the hospital, ensure that the limb that was bitten is kept below your heart. In this instance, fatality can occur as a consequence of organ damage due to swelling.

2. Black Mamba

Up next is the species of snake with the fastest acting venom in the world, the black mamba. They can grow up to 4.5 metres long and can reach slither speeds of up to 20km per hour. Even though they are named “black” mambas, they are recognised by their olive or dark-brown coloured skin. Their name sake comes from their mouths, which are completely black and shown off when they are threatened.

If you are bitten, you will begin to feel the following symptoms within 10 minutes:

• Drowsy
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsions
• Erratic heartbeat

If you or someone close to you has been bitten, add pressure immediately to the area and make your way to a hospital without a second’s delay, as people can suffer fatalities within 20 minutes if the mamba’s fangs pierced an artery or major vein. In this instance, you will know how to best respond as a result of your health and safety training course. These snakes usually dwell in and around the coastal regions of Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West. They are particularly fond of savannah grasses, holes in trees, bushes and the occasional house.

3. Rinkhals

Picture this, you are taking an afternoon stroll and suddenly find yourself head on with a snake, who promptly spits venom at your face, or at least tries to. You have now met the Rinkhals snake, a type of cobra and recognisable by their dark undersides and misshapen spotting or patterns in cream or lighter brown colours near the throat. These snakes can grow up to around 1.5 metres in length.

If you find yourself directly shot in the eyes with its venom, although an unlikely occurrence, immediately flush your eyes and face with water and head to a hospital with haste. Despite their bites rarely being fatal, it is advised that you bandage the wound in the event of a bite and seek medical attention. These snakes dwell in higher altitudes, which is why it is usually hikers who come face to face with them. They can be found in certain parts of Kwazulu-Natal, the south Cape regions, Free State and the Eastern Cape.

4. Cape Cobra

The Cape Cobra is both very brave, and very aggressive – and interactions with them are to be avoided. They can be recognised by their colouring which ranged from purplish-black, to yellowish, copper or olive depending on the individual snake. Active during the day, they tend to make their way into human habitats frequently. It will not be hard to know whether the Cape cobra is angered, as when they are they raise themselves off the ground and open their hoods while hissing.

Take this as your warning to back off, if you are fortunate enough to get one from a far enough distance. If you are relatively close when this happens, remain completely still and quiet, as the snake is reacting defensively to your presence. If you are still enough, it is likely that it will look for an escape route and leave you be. In the unfortunate event that you are bitten, however, you have between 1 to 10 hours to seek and receive medical treatment.

After the attack, apply pressure and a bandage and get to a hospital immediately, as the consequences of this bite include the risk of respiratory failure and paralysis. These nervy snakes are one of the most common species in the southern areas of South Africa, and they enjoy dwelling in dry savannah, fynbos, bush, and scrubland throughout the Cape, Free State and Eastern Cape.

5. Boomslang

Translated into the “tree snake,” this species is recognisable by a light green colour in males and brown in females. They grow up to around 1m to 1.5 metres long and are known for their big, egg-shaped eyes. This species is remarkably shy and will not attack unless provoked. If you are bitten, however, know that you may not feel any immediate symptoms for 24 hours and sometimes even more.

You need to seek immediate medical attention regardless, as boomslang bites can induce internal and external bleeding resulting in death in severe cases. Other symptoms may include:

• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Mental disorientation and disorders

These shy yet potent snakes can be found in most parts of South Africa, in habitats such as fynbos, grasslands, lowland forests and savannah regions. They are not usually found in the Northern Cape and certain areas of the Free State, however.

The importance of identifying a snake

In the event of a snake bite, experts do not recommend catching or hurting the snake in question. What is extremely important, however, is identifying the snake before heading to your closest hospital, even if it means snapping a picture of it or writing a quick note of what it looked like. Not every snakebite requires antivenom, but it is up to a medical professional to decide, and in order to make an informed decision, they must know the species of snake that inflicted the bite. From then on, the doctor in question will administer the appropriate antivenom.

Taking part in health and safety training concerning snakebites and handling is a great way to prepare yourself for this potential situation. Being equipped with the first-response knowledge as well as identifying practices is an excellent way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Quick tips: how to avoid snakebites

• Leave snakes alone

There is not one species of snake in South Africa that premeditates an attack on a human. Every time a snakebite occurs, it is a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, where a snake reacts to a foot or hand crashing into its environment with little warning. If you spot a snake, and have no need to handle it or move it to a different location for safety reasons, then leave it alone. It is highly inadvisable to attempt to handle a snake without the correct health and safety training beforehand.

• Snakes play dead

Some snakes tend to play dead in response to feeling threatened. If you notice a snake that appears to be dead, resist your curiosity, and keep in mind that it may strike if you approach it.

• Watch your hands

When hiking or mountain climbing, or even adventuring, never place your hands in out-of-sight nooks and crannies. These holes are snake havens and it is unlikely that anyone would enjoy having a foreign object plunged into their home while relaxing during a quiet afternoon.

• On, not over

When walking outdoors and encountering an obstacle such as a log or rock, do not step directly over it. Many snakes enjoy sunbathing while being partially covered, so it makes sense for them to curl up next to something. Unless you want to step on someone scaly during their nap, step on to the obstacle and glance down before you move on.

• Lights on

This one may seem obvious, but never walk in and around grass at night without a torch to light your path. This is one of the easiest ways to get bitten, especially if you are wearing open shoes.