The Drakensberg of South Africa has many snake species, most of which are harmless to humans. As a hiker or mountaineer in these mountains it is likely you will encounter various species including three types which can cause severe injury or even death. Luckily walkers, trekkers and climbers are seldom bitten. Snake bites to mountain users are recorded about every 5 years or so and few have resulted in deaths. If a hiker or climber is bitten by one of the three snakes listed below, phone Mountain Rescue 0800 005133 and wait for medical help to arrive. Depending on where the incident has occurred and the weather conditions, help could come in the form of a ground based medical team and a stretcher party or a helicopter airlift.
Rule of thumb for a snake bite in the Drakensberg or any other southern African wilderness area, you need a cell phone and a helicopter!
The three danergous snakes in the Drakenberg are:
Puff adder– a fat and sluggish snake which occurs in areas up to an altitude of about 2500m. It is commonly seen lying on hiking paths and has a habit of not moving away when humans approach. It is known to have an extremely fast strike, which can penetrate thin clothing. The venom is cell destroying and causes severe pain around the bite site and swelling of the entire limb. If not threated correctly necrosis of the flesh and blood cells occurs within a few days which intern can lead to gangrene and renal failure.
Berg adder– a snake similar in shape to a Puff adder, but smaller and it occurs at all altitudes including the mountain summits. The venom is cell and nerve destroying causing pain and swelling around the bite area. Later symptoms can be temporary drooping of the eyelids, a loss of taste and in some severe cases, permanent nerve damage to the face muscles.
Treatment in-field for Puff adder and Berg adder : it takes many hours if not days for any life threatening symptoms to develop – do not panic. The patient should simply lie down, and not move and place the affected area slightly lower than the heart.
DO NOT:
- make the patient walk or do any physical exercise,
- Suck the wound site
- Apply any tourniquet
- Drink alcohol
- Cut the wound
Phone Mountain Rescue and wait for help to arrive.
Rinkhals– this is a spitting cobra and is not commonly seen as Puff adders or Berg adders. When defending itself it rears up with its hood extended. Its venom can be spat several meters into the eye’s of its victim. It occurs at all altitudes in the Drakensberg. If cornered or scared it may act as if it is dead, and lie still, but will bite if touched.
If venom is spat into the eyes of a human, wash out with water and transport to medical care.
The bite from these snakes is a very serious situation and death could occur within hours. The venom acts on the nerves and muscles of the chest and throat, causing the victim to die of asphyxiation. In field treatment is similar to the other two dangerous snakes but will usually require far greater urgency to get medical treatment.