SNAKE AWARENESS, FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITE CORPORATE SOUTH AFRICA & VENOMOUS SNAKE HANDLING COURSES ////////////////////

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1 CORPORATE SOUTH AFRICA SNAKE AWARENESS, FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITE & VENOMOUS SNAKE HANDLING COURSES

2 SNAKE awareness, first aid for snakebite & VENOMOUS snake HANDLING COURSES WHAT IS COVERED IN THE ONE DAY COURSE? Spider Bite and First Aid Treatment Scorpion Sting and First Aid Treatment Snake Behaviour and Biology Myths and Superstition Encounters with Snakes Prevention of Snakebite First Aid for Snakebite Discussion on the Use of Antivenom Discussion on Medical Treatment of Snakebite Venomous Snake Handling

3 WHY USE THE AFRICAN SNAKEBITE INSTITUTE? C ourses are presented by Johan Marais, one of Africa s leading herpetologists with over 40 years experience. Johan is the most prominent author of snake books in Africa and has written the best-sellers A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa, Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa and First Aid for Snakebite, to mention just a few. The African Snakebite Institute is affiliated with the Alexander Herp Lab, University of Witwatersrand, and a service provider to the South African Society of Travel Medicine and Travel Doctor. The ASI snakebite protocols and first aid for snakebite procedures are regularly updated with leading snakebite experts in the world.

4 WHY USE ASI? Safe snake handling protocols were developed while working as curator at some of Africa s leading snake parks and as a result of visits to various reptile parks and research facilities in the USA, Mexico, U.K., Spain, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, China, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and various African countries. The ASI courses are FGASA-endorsed, accredited by the International Society of Zoological Sciences and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Johan is the snake expert for the Tygerberg Poison Centre and the Red Cross Poison Centre as well as advisor to various hospitals and clinics throughout Africa. Snake Awareness courses fall under the requirements of the Occu pational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), Section 8 (1) and (2) E and it is imperative that such training is provided by an ac credited service provider. Courses are regularly offered to the likes of Sasol, Eskom, Department of Water Affairs, Umgeni Water, Master Drilling, Group 5, Anglo American, De Beers, Wilderness Safaris, Wind Farms, Siemens, Singita and various mines and construction companies throughout Africa.

5 THE PROGRAM SNAKES Venomous snakes are provided for the training and will include species appropriate for the region such as the Puff Adder, Snouted Cobra, Rinkhals and Forest Cobra (but will vary). Snake Awareness It is a 2 3 hour program that includes a section on the major groups of scorpions, prevention of stings, the do s and don ts of basic first aid for scorpion sting, spider awareness, the dangerous spiders and first aid, bee sting, snake awareness, snake biology and behaviour, myths and superstition, identification of snakes in the area, basic first aid for snakebite and a discussion on the medical treatment of snakebite. Juvenile Boomslang

6 THE PROGRAM FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITE The do s and don ts of first aid for snakebite are covered in the Snake Awareness course as well as a discussion on the medical treatment of snakebite. The latter segment is purely to enlighten delegates so that they fully understand how medical doctors treat snakebite and what can be done during first aid to assist with subsequent treatment. VENOMOUS SNAKE HANDLING The afternoon session for those that are also doing venomous snake handling, lasts about two hours (depending on the size of the group) and delegates are taught how to safely capture and contain venomous snakes using snake tongs, snake hooks, snake tubes and snake buckets. At no stage does anyone catch snakes by the tail or behind the neck. The purpose of this segment is to teach people how to cope with and safely remove venomous snakes in an emergency situation.

7 ADDITIONAL COURSES ADVANCED FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITE This training is not part of the Snake Awareness and Venomous Snake Handling course and includes training on how to apply pressure immobilisation bandages and the use of a bag valve mask reserve with and/or without oxygen. It is a half day course and successful delegates receive a certificate in Advanced First Aid for Snakebite.

8 SNAKE HANDLING EQUIPMENT ADDITIONAL COURSES Recommendations will be made as to what equipment is required when capturing and relocating snakes. We have a full range of snake handling equipment as well as Bag Valve Masks, posters, books, scorpion torches and snake gaiters. CERTIFICATES The courses are FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) approved and accredited by ISZS (International Society of Zoological Sciences). Johan Marais is also an instructor for the Emergency Care and Safety Institute. Courses are presented to the South African Society of Travel Medicine and Travel Doctor, amongst others. Successful candidates are awarded a certificate in Snake Awareness and First Aid for Snakebite whereas those also doing the snake handling receive a certificate in Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling. The Snake Awareness course is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and registered medical practitioners received 4 CPD points (Level 2).

9 ADDITIONAL COURSES COURSE MATERIAL Each delegate receives Snake Awareness notes, a First Aid for Snakebite booklet and an A3 Dangerous Snakes of Southern Africa poster. COSTS Snake Awareness and Venomous Snake Handling costs R1, (VAT included) per delegate with a minimum of 12 Delegates. For Snake Awareness alone the charge per person is R (VAT included). Minimum 15 delegates. Advanced First Aid for Snakebite costs R (VAT included) per delegate with a minimum of 10 delegates. Travel from and to Pretoria is charged at R5.00/km (excluding VAT) and accommodation and meals must be supplied if needed. For training in the Western Cape flights and car rental will be required. CONTACT US Please Ashley (admin@asiorg.co.za) for available course dates. Johan Marais African Snakebite Institute