Snakes alive – it’s THAT season again
When it comes to snakes, the rule is ‘hands off‘ unless you're an expert.
WITH snakes more active during the rainy season, Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha offered some advice on snake bite prevention.
However, all snake bites should be treated as medical emergencies, he warned.
Although South Africa had many venomous snakes, the slithery reptiles would only attack if provoked, so they should be left alone, he said. It was a case of ‘hands off’. Only experts should handle snakes.
Netcare 911 paramedics were called on to deal with a snake bite incident on Monday this week when a farmer in the Mooi River area was bitten. “The snake was not positively identified but the patient presented with symptoms suggesting it to be a cytotoxic snake,” said Mr Botha.
The emergency care technician and his team responded to the call just after 9pm that night and raced to meet up with the vehicle in which he was being conveyed. When they reached the patient, a man in his fifties, the medics treated him then transported him to hospital.
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