Travel
Safety - Venomous Snakes information
There
are over 2,700 species of snake in the world of which around 450
are venomous. Bites from such reptiles are by far the most prolific
cause of human death by dangerous animals in the world, with estimates
by experts of around 125,000 a year.
Few travellers,
however, are likely to fall victim to snake bites. It is the local
population who live and work in close proximity with these critters
- and with little protection - that suffer most.
Like most animals, they will only attack if threatened or surprised.
They'd rather slither away. Let them go! Enjoy the sight of them.
Don't imagine you're Indy Jones!
Avoiding bites:
1]
never aggravate a dangerous animal in any way or try and
provoke it into an attack. This may seem ridiculous, but most
bites in the USA are a result of such moronic behaviour. If you
see a grizzly bear do you feel you have to throw a rock at it?
2] do not try to capture a snake unless you are an experienced
herpetologist. Even then three people are really required to deal
with it. One person to get bitten by accident, one to stay with
the victim, and one to go for help!
3] when out walking in snake zones, look down and at the the areas
immediately either side of where you will be treading.
If you wish to travel at night then a torch is essential for your
safety as many of these beasts are nocturnal hunters.
4]
wear substantial socks and boots when wild walking.
5]
do not lift up large stones or fallen vegetative matter unless
absolutely necessary and if you must, proceed with extreme caution.
These are favoured places for animals of the biting persuasion.
6] if a snake is within striking distance and you are lucky enough
to notice it - don't panic! Stay absolutely still.
These animals are very quick and may strike in defence if you
make a sudden movement. Move back veeery sloooowly.
Bite
Symptoms:
Severe pain, swelling, discoloration around the bites; later comes
fluid build-up, secondary infection, dead tissue, extreme skin
and neural sensitivity. This may continue for several days.
If
the venom contains neurotoxins the victim may experience nausea,
vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, and difficulty in breathing.
Bite Treatment:
n.b.
In some countries, such as Australia, wounds should not be cleaned
unless the animal has been firmly identified. Medical facilities
have a venom detection kit that requires samples from the skin
surrounding the bites.
1] Standard and best treatment:
- a high proportion of bites do not result in any venom entering
the body, so don't panic.
- the victim should be calmed and lie down to retard the spread
of venom.
-allow the bite to bleed freely for 30 seconds.
- quickly wrap a light bandage above and below the wound [if you
can't get two fingers under the bandage, it's too tight].
- remove any jewellery or tight fitting clothing.
- Immobilize/splint the bitten limb and keep it at heart level
[gravity-neutral] if possible. Too high causes venom to travel
to the heart, too low causes more swelling.
- Do not drink alcohol, or take any medicine or food.
- Get victim gently to medical facilities, inside three hours
if possible. Inform them in advance of the creature's identity
if possible.
2]
Cold pack:
- quickly wrap a light bandage above and below the bites [if you
can't get two fingers under the bandage, it's too tight].
- place a cold pack [frozen peas etc] over the wound. This will
reduce the pain, reduce swelling and slow the travel of venom.
It may also cause permanent tissue damage - frostbite - if left
on too long.
- follow the last 3 steps of #1.
3]
Cut and suck - little chance of success:
If the hospital is well over 3 hours away and the snake was a
deadly one, some believe it may be acceptable to cut
and suck or suction bites, but this is not
normally recommended because:
a] it's dangerous to perform in a panicky situation
b] the cut may do more damage than the original punctures - especially
if secondary infection kicks in.
c] increased blood flow may accelerate the flow of venom too.
To do it properly:
- quickly wrap a light bandage above and below the wound [if you
can't get two fingers under the bandage, it's too tight].
-clean the area with antiseptic and reclean every few minutes.
- make cuts with a short, sharp blade near the bite site and start
to suck/suction [a device available in some snakebite kits]. The
venom is tasteless and harmless in the mouth. 15 minutes max.
- follow the last 3 steps of #1.
4]
Electroshock - little chance of success:
A newish idea. The theory is that an electric shock disrupts the
venom cells, reducing the impact of the toxins. The current should
be DC [i.e. not from a wall socket], around 100k voltage at .1
or .2 milliamps. A small stun gun is sold for this purpose in
USA.
- quickly wrap a light bandage above and below the bites [if you
can't get two fingers under the bandage, it's too tight].
- hit the bite zone with a one second shock, 5 or 6 times in a
circle.
-as the swelling moves out from the bite, so the shocks must follow
the venom spread, firing a set every 10 or 15 minutes for an hour.
- follow the last 3 steps of #1.
Venom: the venom is a specialized form of saliva and its primary purpose
is to immobilise or kill the prey - sometimes also to begin digesting
the meal before consumption.
The secondary purpose is as a defence. Different species will
vary in their level of aggression when provoked.
Toxicity: the level of toxicity of any particular venom is in all practicality
irrelevant as the amount injected makes the difference. This will
depend on the size of venom sacks, the amount they contain if
the animal has bitten somehting else recently, and the amount
the creature decides or manages to inject.
The location of the bite will also influence the speed of the
effect, depending on the proximity of the bite to main veins and
arteries through which the venom travels to vital organs.
Travel
safety stats:
The
countries where most people die from snake bites are India and
Sri Lanka with around 20,000 fatalities annually in India alone.
In the USA the state with most snake bites is Arizona.
Australia hosts nine of the world's top ten deadly snakes.
Some
venom can kill a strong male in a couple of hours, but it more
commonly takes up to two days.
Recovery, even when not fatal, can be long and incomplete.
The
world's most dangerous snakes are:
Australia: [1] Inland Taipan [the
world's most toxic snake but fortunately rare], [2] Australian
Brown [the country's biggest killer], [4] Taipan, [5] Tiger, Black,
Sea.
SE Asia: [3] Malayan Krait, a night
mover.
USA: Water and Mexican Moccasins,
Cottonmouth and Copperhead Rattlers, Coral.
India: Russel's Viper, Indian Cobra.
Africa: Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adder
and Saw Scaled Viper.
Central/South America [e.g.Costa Rica]: Fer-de-Lance.
Other
Travel Safety - Dangerous animals advice:
Lion
Attacks | Crocodile
and Alligator Attacks | Scorpion
Stings | Bear Attacks
Bee
and Wasp Stings | Blue-Ringed Octopus and Stonefish | Shark
Attacks | Jellyfish
Stings
