Snake Emergency

by: Nicole Brunda

CONTENTS:

SNAKES

• Identification.
• Puff Adders / Cape Cobras
• Bites - what to do
• What not to do
• Snake courses

SCORPIONS

• Is this scorpion poisonous?
• IdentifIcation
• What to do if bitten
• Avoid getting stung

BUTTON SPIDERS

• Button spiders identification
• Button spider bites
• What to do

SEA

• Swimming at sea
• Jelly fish stings.
• Blue bottle stings.

 EMERGENCY NUMBERS

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SNAKES

The most common snake found at Fynbos is the Puff Adder,  (most shareholders have seen at least one) followed by the Cape Cobra.

CAPE COBRA

AVERAGE LENGTH 120CM

BITE SYMPTONS: PAIN, SWELLING, SLURRED SPEECH, INBALANCE AND DROWSINESS.

VENOM IS NEUROTOXIC

PUFF ADDER

AVERAGE LENGTH 60-90CM

BITE SYMPTOMS: PAIN, SWELLING, BRUISING AT THE BITE

VENOM IS CELL DESTROYING –(CYTOTOXIC)

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with their colourings and markings, and even more important for all of us to teach our children to learn to recognise each snakes markings.

The Puff Adder is probably Fynbos’s biggest problem as it’s a sluggish snake. It emerges at dusk, lying in cover and ambushing prey, which includes rodents and birds, and even other snakes and tortoises. It has effective camouflage. If disturbed, it adopts a striking posture and usually warns by giving a deep, hollow hiss. Once heard, it is not easily forgotten. It strikes readily. The puff adder normally moves in "caterpillar" fashion, leaving a straight, deep track in sand.

It may climb into low scrub to bask, particularly when gravid. It often swims, and lies on warm roads at night. It lives for up to 14 years if it has plenty of warmth and sunshine. The venom is cytotoxic, often causing extensive swelling, pain and necrosis. Yields are large (100-350 mg); 100 mg is fatal in humans. The long fangs (12-18 mm) inject the venom deeply, and bites are usually inflicted on the lower leg. Bites are common, but only a small proportion proves fatal; nonetheless, this snake causes over 60% of serious bites in the region, and is responsible for most of the fatalities. Death usually results from kidney failure and other complications caused by the extensive swelling. It is essential to treat a victim of its bite for fluid loss, and antivenom should be used in serious cases.

BE CAREFUL ESPECIALLY AT DUSK WHEN WALKING AS PUFF ADDERS LOVE TO LIE ON THE WARM GROUND, PAVING, BOARDWALKS

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET BITTEN

Here are some guidelines to follow between getting bitten and getting to the hospital.

If you, a family member or a friend (or anyone around you for that matter) gets bitten the first and most important thing to do is:

• Stay calm.

• Phone the hospital to alert them to be ready for a snakebite victim.

• Keep the bite victim calm. Get the person to lie down and move as little as possible. If you can, lower the limb, which has been bitten to below the level of the victim’s heart.

• Wrap a large crepe bandage around the limb. Not too tight as to restrict blood flow. Start at the bite site and work your way up the limb. Secure a splint to the bandage to avoid movement of the limb. Avoid bending or moving the limb while applying the splint.

WHAT NOT TO DO

• Remove the bandage and or the splint. Medical staff can remove it once antivenom and adrenaline is at hand and or administered.

• Be prepared to give the patient CPR if so required.

• Do not cut or incise the bite and do not try suck the venom out.

• Do not apply ice or anything hot to the bite.

SNAKE COURSE

I have found an excellent snake course for anyone interested at Fynbos, perhaps a good idea for at least one member of each family to do it, also a good idea for all shareholders to be aware of who has done the course and to have that shareholders cell numbers on their phones.

These courses are recognized by FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa) as specialist courses.

The course covers:

• Snake Identification and Snakebite Treatment

• Learn to identify the dangerous snakes and also how to treat their bites. Includes first aid, medical treatment and allergy treatment.

This course is approximately 5 hours in length and includes refreshments and lunch.

MIKE PERRY OF AFRICAN SNAKES AND REPTILES WILL OFFER HIS COURSE IN CAPE TOWN, IF WE HAVE ENOUGH INTEREST, (HIS COURSE IS CONSIDERED THE BEST) SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME, OR PHONE TO LET ME KNOW.

Email: Nicole@prandco.co.za

Cell: 082 572 0187

For those shareholders from JHB, please see letter enclosed in this document for directions and telephone numbers. For those shareholders living in George etc I am still looking for a course and will send the details to you as soon as I have them.

SNAKE COURSES

I present snake courses for the general public, outdoors people, field guides, farmers, snake keepers, doctors, vets, etc. In short, anybody that may come in contact with snakes or snakebite will benefit from these courses. These courses were researched and compiled after a number of people had approached me for information on snakebite and the handling of snakes. I have been catching snakes since 1965 and work professionally with venomous snakes as I extract venom for antivenom production. I keep about 400 snakes for this purpose.

My courses are FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) approved as specialist courses. Those that pass will receive a certificate with the FGASA emblem on it. The Snake ID and Snakebite Treatment course is also registered with the WITS CPD Office and medical doctors that pass the test can claim 5 CPD points (Continued Professional Development).

The Snake ID & Snakebite Treatment course starts at 08h00 - 12h30. It covers the identification of the dangerous snake, the symptoms of snakebite, the first aid treatment, medical treatment and allergy recognition and treatment. There are 2 tea breaks and lunch is from 12h30 - 13h00, and from 13h00 - 14h00 everybody will be writing their test. Cost for this course is R715.00 VAT inclusive per person.

After this it is the Venomous Snake Handling course which starts at 14h00 - 17h00. Testing is practical handling under my supervision, and verbal questions and answers as we do handling. Cost for this course is R440.00 VAT inclusive per person. I also offer an additional Black mamba-handling course for those people that may have a need to handle black mambas. This is done at an additional cost of R275.00 VAT inclusive per person, and runs from 17h15 to 18h30.

The next courses are scheduled for Saturday 19 April 2008. I can also offer courses for interested groups or companies, and then the courses can be run during office hours, provided the group size is 10 people or more.

Venue African Reptiles and Venom is situated 8 km north from Fourways on the William Nicol extension, which becomes the R511. From the N1 (cement highway) take the William Nicol off ramp, and turn north away from Johannesburg. Pass Monte Casino on your right, pass the Fourways Mall on your left and go pass Indaba hotel on your left, cross 2 rivers the Jukskei river and the Diepsloot River. 900 meters after the second bridge, you will see a sign African Reptiles and Venom on your right hand. Turn in and park under the trees. The lectures are held in the lapa at the pool.

From Pretoria you will go towards Jo'burg and then take the R28/N12 towards Krugersdorp. Take the Hartebeespoort/Sandton off ramp. The off ramp makes a 180-degree bend. At the stop turn right towards Sandton. You will now be going pass the Diepsloot Squatter camp, on your right. From the stop where you turned right, you will travel for about 4 km. Look out for the sign on your left that reads "African Reptiles and Venom". Turn in and park under the trees.

Regards

AFRICAN REPTILES AND VENOM

Mike Perry

083 44 888 54 (cell)

0866973304 (fax)

mike@africanreptiles-venom.co.za

SCORPIONS

Out of all our scorpions, only 3 have even caused human fatalities. On average 8 to 12 people die from scorpion stings annually. Their strong neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system and causes heart palpitations, respiratory problems and slurred speech, intense pain and hypersensitivity.

The species that we get at Fynbos is called Parabuthus Granulatus and it is of significant medical importance because it has particularly potent venom and it has been recorded to be responsible for a number of deaths every year in South Africa.

HOW TO KNOW IF A SCORPION IS POISONOUS OR NOT!

Venomous, all scorpions have got a tail with sting and venom glands and venom. They all carry a neurotoxin venom, which effects nerve functioning. But the real question is how many of those scorpions are actually dangerous?

Now you can tell fairly easily if you are dealing with a scorpion that is dangerous or not. If you look at the size of the scorpion’s pincers in relation to its tail.

Those species with large pincers and a thin tail are less venomous than those with very small pincers and large tails. The easy way to remember that is the species with big pincers are going to use those pincers to catch and kill their prey. They kill their prey by crushing it whereas the species with the thick tail with lots of venom want to have a very powerful tail to push their sting into the prey and deliver the venom deep into the body of the prey.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET STUNG?

If a scorpion stings you, you’ll usually know about it. Even if you don’t actually see the culprit, you’ll feel the result: a sudden, often burning pain at the sting site. The pain may persist from a few minutes to a few hours, and there may be redness and swelling at the sting site.

Less than 5% of stings result in symptoms requiring medical attention. Such symptoms, which suggest a serious sting, generally only start to occur after about half an hour, and sometimes only after several hours. These may include any of the following:

• Abdominal cramps
• A burning sensation, or pins-and-needles, usually of the hands, feet, face and scalp.
• Hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli e.g. your clothing or bedding become irritating to your skin. Sometimes you also become extremely sensitive to noise.
• Lack of co-ordination with stiff-legged or ‘drunken’ walking.
• Involuntary movements, tremors, muscle weakness
• High or low pulse rate
• Difficulty swallowing and excessive salivation i.e. drooling
• Difficulty speaking normally
• Excessive sweating
• Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Droopy eyelids
• Restlessness and anxiety
• Urine retention
• Difficulty breathing.

The severity of the sting will depend on several different factors: the species of scorpion, its size and level of agitation, and where it stings you. A bigger scorpion packs a bigger venom punch, as does a deeper sting.

Your health and age are also significant; stings are more dangerous for children and the elderly, and someone with cardiac or respiratory problems is at higher risk of a serious reaction.

WHAT DO TO IF YOU GET STUNG

If you can kill the scorpion and place in a jar or glass (this is the only time you will be excused from killing wildlife) …it’s useful to keep the scorpion for identification purposes……don’t attempt taking the culprit alive.

• Clean the wound and apply a clean cloth, wrapped in ice or moistened with cold water, to the sting site.

• Take an over-the-counter painkiller like aspirin or paracetamol.

• Get to the nearest hospital or doctor. Take note of any changes or additional symptoms that may occur.

• No one, except a medical professional trained to treat scorpion stings, should attempt to use any additional methods of treatment. Using the wrong kind or amount of anti-venom or other medications can be very dangerous.

• It’s also important to reassure the scorpion’s victim that death from a sting is most unlikely. Sometimes people get into such a panic that they can even start to show false symptoms!

NOTE

Anti-venom is usually administered at most hospitals, but, It takes quite a while for it to take effect – about three to six hours – so it isn’t sufficient to prevent respiratory complications. Recovery from a sting without anti-venom is a much more drawn-out process.

 HOW TO AVOID BEING STUNG

• Wear shoes, particularly covered shoes and particularly at night. Most stings happen at night.

• Take care when lifting up rocks and fallen branches. It’s a good idea to wear sturdy gloves. 

• Check your sheets / duvet before climbing in, same goes for clothes it and when packing up. Do the same with clothes and shoes before dressing.

KEEP IN MIND THAT MOST STINGS OCCUR IN THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH, WITH JANUARY-FEBRUARY, I.E. SUMMER, AS THE PEAK.

BUTTON SPIDERS

BLACK BUTTON SPIDER

We all know the old saying that dynamite comes in small packages. In the case of spiders, some of the most severe spider bites come in small packages too - namely the button spiders.

A variety of spiders occur in houses and outbuildings and it is inevitable that they often come into close contact with man. Most spiders will avoid physical contact, but when they are accidentally touched or squeezed, they might deliver a bite in self-defense. All spiders produce venom to kill their prey but only a few species are known to be potentially harmful to humans. The following may influence the action of the venom of the medically important species:

 Several spider species produce neurotoxic venom but in southern Africa the button spiders (elsewhere in the world known as widow spiders) are the most important group of medical importance. Six species occur here, belonging to the genus Latrodectus of the family Theridiidae. The button spiders can be divided into the black button spider complex (4 species.) and the brown button spider complex (2 species.).

The button spiders have round abdomens with slender legs of which the third pair of legs is the shortest. Their colour varies from cream to pitch black between species. The markings on the abdomen also vary from stripes to spots. In adult females the markings become less distinct. The patterns on the ventral side of the abdomen vary from having none to one with a distinct red hourglass pattern. Males are much smaller than females and the markings on their abdomen consist of red or white bands.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET BITTEN

Only the back button spiders, Latrodectus indistinctus, bite would require urgent medical attention. Especially in the case of children and the elderly.    

The main signs and symptoms of a button spider bite are:

• Sharp burning pain at the site, pain spreads to lymph nodes within 15 minutes

• Severe muscle pain and cramps within an hour, resulting in tightness in the chest and difficulty with walking.

• Anxiety, sweating, fever, slurred speech, nausea and headaches.

• Less than 5% of untreated cases result in death, usually as a result of respiratory failure. In fact, there have been no deaths from button spiders in the last 4 to 5 decades. Those more severely affected are children (smaller blood volume) and the elderly who might suffer respiratory or heart failure.

• Symptoms are less severe with the Brown button spider,

• All Button Spider bites should be treated and monitored.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET BITTEN

When someone is bitten:

• Keep the culprit if possible. An identification of the spider would be necessary to determine the appropriate treatment, if any.

• Keep the patient or the affected part as motionless as possible. However, this might not be practical if one is out in the wild. It is then preferable to get to help as soon as possible even if the patient has to walk.

• Eating, drinking and smoking should be avoided.

• Call for medical assistance if possible.

• Keep the patient on his/her back with feet raised above the rest of the body.

• Cover with a blanket and keep the head to one side in case of vomiting

• Loosen tight clothing

• Apply artificial respiration should breathing stop

• Apply crushed ice to the affected area. The cold helps to retard the venom action and reduces pain. This must be done within minutes of being bitten. Do not cool for an extended period and remove periodically for the feeling to return otherwise tissue damage might result.

WHAT NOT TO DO

• Use alcoholic drinks as this could mask certain symptoms or exacerbate them.

• Use potassium permanganate on the wound.

• Cut the wound.

• Use a tourniquet as this could aggravate local effects of the venom.

A BITE NEAR THE HEAD IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN ONE ADMINISTERED ON EXTREMITIES SUCH AS A FOOT

SWIMMING AT SEA

SAFETY TIPS

Water Sense

• Never swim alone

• Never swim at night

• Observe the surf before going in the water, looking for potentially dangerous currents

Losing Control in the Waves

If a wave crashes down on you while you are surfing or swimming, and you find yourself being tumbled in bubbles and sand like a sheet in a washing machine, don't try to struggle to the surface against it. Curl into a ball, or just go limp and float. The wave will take you to the beach, or you can just swim to the surface when it passes.

Backwash Current

A backwash current on a steeply sloping beach can pull you toward deeper water, but its power is swiftly checked by incoming waves. To escape this current, swim straight toward shore if you're a strong swimmer. If you're not, don't panic; wait and float until the current stops, then swim in.

Rip Currents

Rip currents often occur where there's a break in a submerged sandbar. Water trapped between the sandbar and the beach rushes out through the breach, sometimes sweeping swimmers out with it. You can see a rip; it's choppy, turbulent, often discolored water that looks deeper than the water around it. If you are caught in a rip, don't try to swim against the current. Instead, swim across the current, parallel to the shore, and slowly work your way back to the beach at an angle. Try to remain calm. Panic will only sap the energy you need to swim out of the rip. Click here for illustration.

Undertow

When a wave comes up on the beach and breaks, the water must run back down to the sea. This is undertow. It sucks at your ankles from small waves, but in heavy surf the undertow can knock you off your feet and carry you offshore. If you're carried out, don't resist. Let the undertow take you out until it subsides. It will only be a few yards. The next wave will help push you shoreward again.

JELLY FISH STINGS

 HOW TO TREAT A STING

Things You’ll Need:

• aloe vera gel or lotion
• vinegar
• three small plastic bottles
• ammonia and water

Step 1:

Act quickly while still in salt water. The sting is felt instantly. Get a hand full of sand and rub the area as quickly as possible. Keep your fingers together and repeat the process several times after the area no longer feels slimy. Get ashore as quickly as possible. Do not rinse the sting with fresh water.

Step 2:

Treat with a "1-2-3" kit. Prepare and keep this kit handy, it will keep indefinitely. Get 3 small plastic bottles (Used spice containers are ideal). Label the bottles with the appropriate number and apply in that order. Bottle 1 has vinegar. Apply and wait 10 seconds. Bottle 2 has 1 part sudsing ammonia to 4 parts water. Apply and wait 10 seconds. Bottle 3 has aloe vera gel or lotion. (There are packets made to treat these stings, but the only active ingredient is aloe vera.) Bottles 1 and 2 are needed to neutralize the ongoing reaction. The aloe vera simply soothes the pain and speeds up the healing process.

BLUE BOTTLE STINGS

HOW TO TREAT A STING

There are so many “home remedies” some work others not.  A recent study conducted in Australia shows the best treatment.

When bluebottles sting, they release a powerful toxin, which is most often localised, but the venom has been known to travel to people's armpits and groins via the bloodstream.

So what's the best way to treat a bluebottle sting?

Vinegar

This treatment is very effective on box jellyfish stings but what about bluebottles? The use of vinegar to treat stings is controversial. It appears that vinegar can make the sting more painful in some cases, while other victims report relief after applying vinegar

Ice

The international life saving standard is to use an icepack. The idea is that ice helps to control the spread of the poison but it also helps to make the sting feel a lot more comfortable so the patient is not in distress. Ice should numb the area and decrease the swelling and inflammation but it will not destroy the toxin.

AND THE WINNER

Hot water

Place the affected body part in a bucket of hot water (out of a tap) that's hot enough without burning the skin.

It normally takes about an hour for a bluebottle sting to settle down — the worst part is the first 15 minutes.  

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

BAY VIEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL – MOSSEL BAY

TULBACH STREET

MOSSEL BAY

TEL: 044 691 3718

OPEN: 24HRS A DAY

They recommend alerting them immediately if you have a snakebite victim.  Inform them from where you are coming and they will send an ambulance to meet you on the N2.

Address: Corner Alhof & Ryk Tulbach Street

Mossel Bay

South Africa

Directions:

NATIONAL SEA RESCUE

STILBAAI – 083 555 6384

MOSSEL BAY – 082 990 5954

EMERGENCY NUMBERS STILBAAI

DOCTORS 028 754 1100

DENTIST 028 754 3986

AMBULANS 028 713 2313

EMERGENCY CHEMIST 082 452 2973

FIRE BRIGADE 083 3006678

POLICE STILBAAI 028 754 1501

EMERGENCY NUMBERS MOSSEL BAY

10111 - Police Emergency number

10177 - Ambulance / Fire

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