It can happen to you – By Ed Herbst
Having survived what was probably the “dry bite” of a cobra – i.e. without the injection of venom – I have scribbled down a few thoughts for those kind enough to have expressed concern.
As far as I know I am only the second fly fisher in the century-old history of the Cape Piscatorial Society (www.piscator.co.za) to have been bitten by a snake while angling. The other was a young woman who was bitten on the back of the calf by a puff adder while fishing the section of the Hosloot stream near Rawsonville just below the staff cottages near the wall of the Stettynskloof dam.
My surmise is that the staff throws quite a bit of refuse over the steep, heavily bushed bank which probably attracts mice and thus snakes. The stream is heavily bushed here, and she was looking up as she tried to thread her rod tip through the trees and bushes and was thus not looking down when she stepped on the puff adder.
She was lucky enough to survive with only a slight indentation on the muscle, but it was after this incident that I wrote a piece in the CPS journal, Piscator, suggesting that wearing a soccer shin pad on the front of the shin and a smaller shin pad designed for junior players on the back of the calf between two thick socks, would give a measure of protection.
After the article was published a CPS committee member rather haughtily remarked, “Whatever next – a cricket box?” I paid no heed and found that the front shin pad also provided very welcome protection from rocks and tree stumps.
I was bitten in mid-April on a farm in Barkly East during a heat wave and just before a cold front moved in. Under such conditions, snakes feed hard to build up body fat prior to winter hibernation. Three people in the area that I know of came close to stepping on Puff Adders during this time.
Dave Walker of Rhodes had picked me up at Bloemfontein airport and dropped me off with farming friends in Barkly East. Unfortunately, he did not offload the bag containing my wading boots, socks and shin pads.
The next day I was dropped off by the farmer next to the stream about a fifteen-minute walk from the house. Wearing a pair of training shoes, I crossed the stream. The bank on the far side as quite steep and covered in long grass but the top of the bank looked flat and, as I wanted to walk downstream, I climbed the bank. The grass at the top of the bank was about thigh high and I started pushing my way through it. After that things became a bit confusing.
All I remember was feeling an impact and seeing the ground coming up to meet me. Lying on the ground I looked back in the direction of my feet. The grass moved and there was a rustle. Horrified I pulled up the leg of my pants and saw blood oozing out of two wounds in my calf just above the ankle. I froze in absolute panic thinking, “How could this happen to me?” I squeezed the wounds hoping to expel any poison that might be close to the surface. There was no pain but there was equally no doubt in my mind that I had been bitten by a snake.
I just told myself to calm down. I walked back to the road and dropped my rod and fly-fishing vest next to the fence, not wanting their weight in the walk back to the farmhouse. I just tried to think happy thoughts, but my mouth was incredibly dry – probably from shock and anxiety – and I stopped and drank a few mouthfuls of water from a little trickle that ran beneath the road.
As it turns out this was the wrong thing to do. In The John Visser Guide to Dangerously Venomous Snakes, he writes: “If you suspect that you have been bitten by a cobra or mamba do NOT take anything to eat or drink. The stomach should be kept empty because the muscles controlling swallowing and breathing are affected by the venom of these snakes. Saliva and other fluid must not be allowed to get into air passages and lungs of those whose breathing and swallowing muscles have been weakened by these venoms. If the muscles controlling breathing and swallowing are affected by these venoms, it is lack of oxygen that kills.”
Fortunately, my friends were at home. They drove me through to Barkly East hospital where the local husband and wife medical team gave me two injections, antihistamine, and anti-tetanus. There was no swelling and I was showing no untoward symptoms so they wrapped the leg and kept me under observation for the next six hours.
Two local farmers who looked at the wounds – there were two more bite marks on the front of the shin that I had not been aware of – said the only snakes that could have made such marks were a puff adder or a cobra.
Quite what made me fall I do not know. I knew instinctively that something untoward had happened. The physical impact of a snake bite is hardly enough to fell an adult so perhaps I simply lost my footing and was bitten as I fell.
Johan Marais, a fly fisher and author of the definitive book, Snakes and Snake Bite in Southern Africa (http:randomstruil.co.za) told me that it was definitely not a Puff Adder. He said that they are most aggressive snakes that don’t move away after striking – whereas a cobra does – and that had I been bitten by a Puff Adder the pain would have been intense.
He writes: “Being bitten by a snake is often not immediately painful, as it usually happens very quickly. Symptoms vary dramatically from bite to bite,
Cape cobra (Naja nivea)
depending on the snake responsible for the bite and the amount of venom injected. Most venomous snakes have full control over the amount of venom they inject and some often bite people without injecting any venom whatsoever. In snake park accidents such bites are usually referred to as ‘dry bites.”
He adds: “A snake bite can be serious, and life threatening and requires swift and appropriate treatment of the victim. It is certainly one instance in which ‘Prevention is better than cure’. The following suggestions will help prevent the occurrence.
- Leave snakes alone and treat all snakes with respect at all times.
- Never handle small ‘harmless-looking’ snakes, especially those carried into your house by cats.
- Never tamper with seemingly dead snakes as many species have the nasty habit of playing dead when scared or threatened, only to strike out the moment an opportunity arises,
- Wear denim trousers and boots that cover your ankles if you spend a great deal of time outdoors. This applies to hikers, birders, anglers and hunters. Very few snakes will successfully strike through loose-fitting denim trousers.
- Step onto logs and rocks, never over them. Snakes often sun themselves on the sides of rocks or logs. Never put your hand in out of reach places, especially when mountain climbing. Berg Adders often bask on small ledges and will certainly bite if a hand suddenly appears from nowhere.
- Never walk with bare feet or without a torch at night when camping or visiting a game lodge. Many snakes are active after sunset, and slow-moving species like the Puff Adder are easily trodden on.
- Do not try to kill a snake if you come across one in the wild. Throwing rocks at snakes or shooting at them is looking for trouble.
Puff adder (Bitis arietans)
Most sports shops have a variety of shin pads. For the front of the leg I use the type with the built-in anklet which incorporates two round plastic discs that protect the ankle. For the calf I buy the smaller shin pad made for junior players. Denim trousers are not ideal for wading because they become heavy when wet and are slow to dry. Far better to wear thin, quick-drying pants which are sufficient to provide some protection from thorns and ticks and to wear thick, knee-high socks along with shin pads and wading gaiters, whether neoprene or those specifically made for snake protection.
Some fly shops sell neoprene gravel guards which go over the outside of the boot and extend to mid-calf. I get mine made in Cape Town by Coral Wetsuit and, paired with their neoprene knee pads the shin pad / neoprene combination gives me a lot of protection and one would be very unlucky if snake fangs were to get past this double layer plus thick socks.
A few years ago, a fellow member of the Cape Piscatorial Society, made me aware of a new neoprene product called Airprene and referred me to a local wetsuit manufacturer, Coral Wetsuit (www.coralwetsuits.co.za).
There I was to meet the proprietors, Elaine Mouton and Irene Morris and they told me that this thin neoprene was developed for the motion picture industry because extras clad in wetsuits often spend hours waiting for an episode to be filmed. They were happy to make knee pads from the material as well because they already had a template – the kneepads they make for abalone divers.
In the summer heat, I wear the Airprene version but, when it gets colder, I use the 2mm version. Neither inhibits movement and while they don’t totally obviate the occasional wince-inducing fall or stumble where your knee or shin takes the brunt of the impact, they do offer very worthwhile protection.
(What is more important is that the knee pads provide a greater incentive to lower your profile by kneeling which can substantially increase your strike rate
Coral can also make gravel guards and offer an Airprene sock, ideal for wading, that is half the cost of the imported versions. You can phone Elaine and Irene on 021 447-1985.
Another possibility is the US-manufactured “Turtleskin” snake chaps and gaiters distributed by Frontier Fly fishing in Johannesburg.
- http://www.turtleskin.com/Snake-Gaiters.aspx
- frontierflyfishing.co.za)snakearmor.html .
The only after effect of the snake bite has been psychological. I almost jump out of my skin every time I hear a rustle. This is irrational because the incidence of snakebite in South Africa is very low when one considers how many people actually walk in the veld each day.
Snakes are very good at picking up vibrations and the body heat of their prey which is why they hunt successfully in total darkness. My understanding is that they do not have very good vision and that if you stand dead still and do not threaten them they will move away.
Very sensible and calming advice comes from John Visser in his Guide: “If you are unable to identify a snake at the time of the accident do NOT conclude that you have been bitten by a dangerously venomous snake. In a snake-infested part of the country (Kwa Zulu Natal) only 14% of patients seeking medical advice after being bitten by a snake had been injured by highly venomous snakes. 90% of serious bites were inflicted by Puff Adders or other adders. Adder venom is slow acting in that a life-threatening effect is very rare until 10 hours have elapsed after a bite has been sustained. Although pain and swelling start soon after venom injection, there is time to seek medical advice. It is usually 2-4 hours before distressing symptoms and signs are noted after the injection of the venoms of Cape, Egyptian and Forest Cobras. A Mamba bite is very rare but remains a serious matter. There is no question of dying within five minutes of being bitten. Early effects may be noted within 15 minutes of a bite by these snakes but it is usually 1-2 hours before there are serious effects on the muscles controlling breathing. Many patients now survive attacks by mambas.”
This was written in 1982 so the incidence of snake bites and their consequences might well have changed but it behoves everyone who spends a lot of time in the veld to acquaint themselves with the knowledge about how to avoid snake bite and how to react if you are bitten. Adders and Spitting Cobras (tissue-destroying venoms), Cobras, Mambas and the Berg Adder (nerve poisoning venoms) and the Boomslang and Vine Snakes (blood-poisoning venoms) require different anti-venoms so being able to inform the doctor what bit you is a good start.
I think the best advice which my reading after my bite gave me was not to do the natural thing which is to step over obstacles such as rocks and tree-trunks, but rather to step onto them and look down before proceeding. I was also to learn later that trying to squeeze the flesh in the area of the snake bite provides no benefit whatsoever.
Even though the incidence of snake bit is very low it is just common sense to be careful and to take the necessary protective measures – cricket box included if that makes you feel safer because – believe me – it can happen to you.
Footnote: Recently on an internet interest list, SA Mountain Talk, Arthur Morgan published this most useful and informative article on snakes in South Africa – and KZN. From the venom point of view there are four types of snakes in South Africa: Adders (vipers) Mambas and Cobras ( plus sub-type Spitting Cobras ) Back fanged ( including sub-type Boomslang ) Constrictors (no venom, but nasty wounds) – treat as for dog bite )
All outdoors people are at risk for snake bite, although this occurs rarely in South Africa. Be careful where you walk and put your hands. If you see a snake freeze, and then move slowly away without any sudden movements. If you or a friend are bitten do not panic. Very serious injury is rare after a snake bite. The snake has to expend a lot of energy to make the venom and will not use it wastefully – you are far too big for it to eat, and it just wants to warn you off with the least effort and risk to itself. It will inject a lot of venom only if you have made it very cross or very frightened.
The most bites in Africa are by the adders, which are fat, lazy snakes that stay put on warm paths or wherever they want. If annoyed, they can strike forwards with great speed. They have long fangs and inject a venom that causes tissue damage. There will be rapid onset of severe pain, needing big doses of morphine type analgesics, and gross swelling. The fluid and blood causing the swelling comes initially from the blood so there can be lethal shock. Treatment is elevation of the bite, fluid and blood as needed, lots of analgesia, and possibly several ampoules of anti-venom. The time to death will usually be at least hours.
Mambas and Cobras are more nervous, faster moving snakes. They will usually move away from any disturbance. If annoyed or frightened, they will strike without warning from an upright position. Their fangs are small and delicate and may be stopped by thick clothes. The venom is almost a pure skeletal muscle paralysing agent. The terminal effect is prevention of breathing and asphyxia. Mouth to mouth (Rescue) breathing is all that is needed to keep the patient alive until getting him to hospital. NO PERSON SHOULD DIE if he has friends who can do mouth to mouth breathing. Other than keeping him comfortable nothing else is needed (very occasionally the heart will stop if the venom is injected intra-venously, but then nothing can be done anyway). Polyvalent anti-venom will decrease the paralysis, but 10 ampoules may be needed as an initial dose irrespective of the size of the victim. It should be given intra-venously, with all the dangers that this entails. The Spitting Cobras secrete a nasty venom that causes tissue destruction in addition to the paralysis. They can also spit for about two metres with great accuracy, usually at the brightest bits of the target (the eyes). Wash the eyes with as much bland fluid as you have, or very dilute anti-venom. Without treatment the patient can die within minutes after a bite from a big and angry Mamba or Cobra. They can deliver lethal amounts of venom to a few people at one sitting. The back- fanged snakes are very timid and non-aggressive. You will normally have to work hard at getting bitten. Their venom causes the blood to stop clotting, and the patient may bleed to death over a few days from otherwise unnoticed wounds. The Boomslang is the only one with an anti-venom. The anti-venom is kept by the South African Institute for Medical Research and sold only if there is a confirmed Boomslang envenomation. Do not use polyvalent anti-venom – it is dangerous and useless for all back- fanged snake venom.
No adequate tests have been done on the use of wrapping the limb with crepe bandages in South Africa so no opinion can be made about efficacy. The method works for Australian snake bites and may help for our types of snakes. If you try it ensure that the bandage does not become too tight as the limb swells. Done with care it may help, especially in the case of Mamba or Cobra bite. Do not cut the wounds or do any other damaging thing. Do not use a tourniquet for adder bites, and experts differ about using them for any other bites. Suction devices may help a little if used within a few seconds.
As with any other wound Tetanus can occur after snake bite – yet another reason to keep up with your immunization. Have Tetanus toxoid or equivalent every 5 to 10 years.
Another member of the list added:
- Berg adders are the exception to the adder family. Their venom is neurotoxic and affects especially the optical nerves. A bite from this guy is non-lethal but will cause temporary blindness and also a temporary loss of of taste, amongst others. Treatment is symptomatic and no antivenom exists.
- Spitting cobras do not really spit that accurately. What they do do is shoot out a fine mist of venom from their fangs, which can cover an area of about .5m at a distance of 2m. This normally means that wearing glasses (put them on quickly) and keeping your mouth closed will protect you from most adverse effects. Then again, don’t irritate it, and it probably won’t spit.