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Posted

Post it to the group Snakes of South Africa on Facebook.

You'll get a positive ID within a minute

Was just about to say the same, you'll get an ID there.

Posted

I have not heard this, but in my own opinion, I would rather have a tourniquet slowing the spread of venom rather than not. Especially if a highly venomous snake such as a puff adder or cobra has bitten you and you are far from help. If you get bitten on the Tygerberg MTB trails, then you are close to plenty hospitals and Tygerberg Poison Unit is close at hand as well. If you are out in the "sticks", then knowing how to act, and how not to act can be the difference between keeping a limb or not, even dying is possible without the right treatment.

 

But in all this, my advice would be to go get some sound medical advice as final confirmation of action taken if bitten by a snake.

 

V12Man, your input is welcome.

Tourniquet often leads to amputation. Dont do it.

 

Immobilization and a Pressure bandage along the entire limb to reduce the rapid spread of venom through the lymphatic system, is what should be done. You are not aiming to cut off blood circulation with a pressure bandage.

 

You can see a full description in Johan Marais book "A complete guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" 2nd edition 2004 - Struik.

Johan is also a regular on the FB group.

Posted (edited)

Last week went for a trail run outside of Grahamstown EC, was skipping along my merry way admiring the pretty aloes and rocks along the trail when out of the corner of my peripheral I saw a long snakey shaped thing lying length-ways across the trail, this was on a downhill section so I'm motoring at quite a pace, I instinctively jump just as I'm coming over a large puff adder which is hissing and inflating as I'm soaring over it majestically in slow motion. I land on my feet again and increase my speed 1000 fold as the adrenaline hits and I scream profanities for the next 3 minutes at the top of my lungs... Wasn't pleasant but must've been hella funny to the people behind me.

Edited by Jaguar Shark

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