SURVIVING A SNAKE BITE
TO KEEP SAFE
■ Snakes are not generally aggressive and will tend to attack only when they feel threatened or are disturbed. They are commonly found in warm places (near water heaters) and on or under surfaces where they can absorb solar heat (rocks, paving, corrugated iron).
■ Use mosquito nets tucked under mattresses when staying in the bush or camping. Always turn on lights or use a torch if you get up at night, and wear closed shoes. Check inside your shoes before putting them on.
■ Don’t have rubbish, compost heaps or long grass near your home or tent; they attract rats and other creatures that snakes prey on.
IF SOMEONE IS BITTEN
■ Don’t waste time or take risks catching or killing the snake, says South African snakebite expert Arno Naudé. Just try to note its size, colour and main characteristics, such as diamond markings or a hood.
■ Don’t cut, suck or tie a tourniquet around the bite; leave it alone or apply a firm bandage to the whole limb. Keep as still as possible – use a splint for limbs – to prevent the spread of venom into the circulatory system. ■ Rinse venom from eyes with clean water (milk will also work), keeping the eye open and rolling the eyeball under a stream of fluid.
■ Don’t administer antivenom yourself; the patient may have an allergic reaction that requires medical assistance.
■ Keep the patient calm but quickly get them to the nearest hospital with a trauma unit. Phone ahead to check they have polyvalent antivenom, which is effective against most lethal snake venom.
■ The hospital should treat the patient’s symptoms and administer antivenom
only if necessary – in most cases it won’t be.
HOW LIKELY IS IT?
Reporting of snakebite is not reliable. Nonetheless, the Global Snakebite Initiative estimates that, worldwide, snakebite claims some 125,000 lives a year – mainly in tropical developing countries where access to medical resources is poor. Developed countries have much lower injury and very low mortality rates.
WORK IN PROGRESS
In November 2012, Mikayla had the swelling on her hand reduced by liposuction to help her bitten finger grow straight. Her surgeon also transferred tendons from her left forearm to her hand to improve finger extension. Steel rods were inserted in her finger, but failed to work and had to be removed.
Focus shifted to helping Mikayla use her right hand for writing and drawing, overcoming her natural lefthandedness. She was moved to a special school, where she has surged ahead,
coming top of her class last year.
Far from being self-conscious, Mikayla, now ten, proudly displays her ‘funny hand’ for educational talks about snakes with a local snake handler in primary schools, demonstrating that apart from writing, she can do most things with it, even holding a glass of juice.
And instead of being afraid of the snakes the handler uses, “she loves them!” says Charmaine.
In fact, Jimmy has had a rival for Mikayla’s affections: Fudge, a ball python, a gift from the snake catcher that he offered to care for at his home.
“We don’t feel comfortable with snakes in the house,” Charmaine confides. But, says Mikayla, happily, “Fudge is sweet, he doesn’t bite. People must just know which snakes do. And take care!”