|
| mravlja12326. 08. 2009 22:23:17 |
Which types of snakes do we need to watch out for in the mountains and how to react if one bites us?
|
|
|
|
| mravlja12326. 08. 2009 22:28:06 |
I almost stepped on a slowworm. I was lucky it wasn't a viper.
Can you meet a nose-horned viper in the mountains? 
|
|
|
|
| heinz26. 08. 2009 23:09:48 |
Well, there has already been a lot written about this several times. Otherwise, you can check gore-ljudje.net, I think we've read tips here too in case of a bite.
I gladly pick up the poor slowworm and carry it off the road (path) to safety, as it's a poor animal that mostly suffers because of the despised venomous ones. These are often innocent victims of scared and rude people who don't realize that every encounter with a snake is just an intrusion into its living space or kingdom. So the first rule is: respect the creatures whose "homes" you invade! Don't forget, you're the intruder there! If you realize you're just a guest, you'll surely be welcomed nicely.
Every snake has much more fear of you than you of it. It can happen that its fear triggers a reflex - bite, so watch the path carefully so you don't disturb the peace of someone who lives there!
In the mountains there are mainly adders, which apparently (according to new findings) have more dangerous venom for humans than nose-horned vipers. In general, their venom is not fatal for an adult human.
In 99.9% of encounters the snake flees in fear, its bites are already a real rarity.
I recently stepped very close (a few cm) to a large adder, which didn't "decide" to bite, but just hissed and immediately withdrew.
Yesterday I met a smaller somewhat clumsy "youngster" who barely managed to burrow deeper into the grass in fear for its life (enough time for a photo; usually there isn't).
 1
| (+1) |  | |
|
|
|
|
| Tadej27. 08. 2009 07:17:30 |
|
|
|
|
| birch27. 08. 2009 10:13:59 |
When I walk in the hills and valleys, I'm most afraid of running into a snake somewhere. And just on Tuesday, when we went with the dog to Zapotoški waterfall in Zadnja Trenta, I almost stepped on that viper. Luckily the dog was behind me, otherwise it would surely have bitten him, or me if I stepped on it. The snake wasn't scared of us, but raised its head and stared at us motionless. Slowly I picked up the dog and moved to the other side of the water. I could have photographed it several more times without trouble, if I wasn't so terrified.
Only then at home did I start thinking what could have happened, since we were alone there. Luckily there was phone signal and I could have called someone. BRrrrrrr, it scares me.
| (+1) | | |
|
|
|
|
| mravlja12327. 08. 2009 10:44:52 |
A few years ago I was climbing a wall with a friend that wasn't protected and we had no gear, no forest rangers or anything. I was looking at butterflies when my friend went ahead. Suddenly he yelled and threw a viper past me (when climbing he grabbed it with his hand unknowingly). He was lucky it didn't bite him and there was no signal either.
|
|
|
|
| geppo27. 08. 2009 11:27:40 |
In case of a snake bite:
If you're not allergic or have heart problems, no need to call 112 or GRS.
advice is:
- lightly bandage (don't cut off blood flow!!) above the bite site.
- return without "rushing" and then seek medical help (usually anti-infection injection)
- no sucking out possible venom or cutting the bite site
No fatal case from poisonous snake bite for sure in Slovenia for many years (recently saw an article about it). But I agree you get scared by sudden encounter with it. Haven't seen one (adder/nose-horned) in Kamnik-Savinja Alps for many years.
Regards
|
|
|
|
| NEIC00827. 08. 2009 12:05:32 |
I definitely disagree!!!!
If bitten by an adder or nose-horned viper, seek medical help immediately.
"Rushing" or not, unacceptable to wait hours for medical help but call 112 right away.
|
|
|
|
| novinsekp27. 08. 2009 12:31:17 |
Last Friday, when returning with a colleague along the hunting path from Kranjska hut on Ledine, I almost stepped on an adder down on the path (before entering the forest). The moment I saw it, I jumped back, and the viper withdrew. Good we weren't faster, otherwise I don't know how it would end. I was really scared, as I haven't experienced such a close encounter before.
|
|
|
|
| birch27. 08. 2009 12:38:32 |
Information from Gore-ljudje.net
Snake bites
Although snakes are shy animals that quickly retreat from humans, it happens that when reaching under rocks or into bushes they bite in self-defense. It's good if you recognize the snake at the bite, because that helps with later therapy. If it was venomous, local signs of venom action mostly appear after 30 to 60 minutes in the form of swelling, redness, subcutaneous bleeding, and pain. Always move the victim to a safe area, seat and calm them, and transport to a medical facility as soon as possible. Make sure they don't strain too much. Immobilize the bite site and ensure it is below heart level. Do not cut, cool or heat the wound, and do not try to suck out the venom with your mouth. You can help with a gentle bandage above the wound that slows venous blood flow. Make sure not to obstruct circulation! Also, do not give the victim coffee or alcohol to drink.
|
|
|
|
| mosovnik27. 08. 2009 12:41:59 |
Geppo said: in Kamnik S. Alps I haven't seen (viper/nose-horned viper) for many years.
But precisely KSA are known for these reptiles; southern approaches.
|
|
|
|
| birch27. 08. 2009 12:42:49 |
Information from VIVA
Action after a bite
Bites from venomous snakes require immediate medical attention. We recommend taking a first aid kit on trips into nature. After a venomous snake bite, it is very important for the victim to remain still. Protect them from the cold. If the bite is on the neck, head, or torso area, lay the victim down and take them to a doctor as soon as possible. Restlessness soon appears, so it is important to calm the victim, as the venom spreads through the body with muscle movement. If the bite is on a limb, which is most common, immobilize the affected limb (similar to a fracture). In nature, use a stick or piece of wood. Position the bitten limb lower than the heart. Remove jewelry and tight clothing from the victim. Thoroughly wash the bite site with running water and soap. Do not suck out the venom, do not enlarge the wound with a knife as was recommended in the past. For bites on limbs, tightly bandage the area above the bite - always check the arterial pulse on the limb.
Ensure immediate transport to the hospital. In no case give the victim alcoholic beverages or painkillers. The most reliable remedy against snake bites is antivenom, which must be stored in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, it often causes serious allergic complications, so only a doctor in a clinic with means for rapid intervention in case of serious allergic reaction can administer it. Antivenom is only for bites on children and the elderly, for adults only in very severe cases and when usual measures do not help. The doctor decides if the victim needs additional therapy and a tetanus injection.
|
|
|
|
| andymann27. 08. 2009 12:58:27 |
in KSA there are snakes, and plenty! On Monday, a bit further from the hut at Okrešelj, I was chasing a butterfly to photograph it, stepped just 3 meters off the marked path when I hear hissing, first think my windbreaker is rustling, when it hisses again, look down and see a viper slithering by, just 30 cm from my shoe. Who was more scared I don't know, he quickly crawled into a hole, I jumped away and probably set a municipal record in standing long jump. he he
|
|
|
|
| geppo27. 08. 2009 15:33:13 |
Unfortunately or fortunately I haven't had contact with a snake for a long time. Last time I saw a viper in Trenta. In the KSA area already about 20 years. Last time in Matkov kot in the cold morning so stiff that it posed no danger. Often I look around for photography - I don't have a venomous one in any photo yet, but it doesn't work! just now I knocked on a wooden table.....
Regards
|
|
|
|
| fpetel127. 08. 2009 15:44:48 |
A bit of attention and observing nature doesn't hurt and we see a snake. To me snakes are beautiful and brighten my day (especially in the mountains) Two weeks ago about 10 minutes before Vodnik hut on the path I saw a young nose-horned viper - he disappeared too quickly to photograph him. Otherwise in some grass it's good to be audible so snakes move away in time - we shouldn't surprise them. Otherwise bites from venomous snakes in Slovenia (which are extremely rare!) are not fatal for an adult. I don't know why scare people - I've seen many venomous snakes and can say they still brightened my day.
|
|
|
|
| panda27. 08. 2009 17:18:44 |
I too last year before the bivouac under Savinja saddle ran into two nose-horned vipers. And they didn't look very friendly.
|
|
|
|
| gabi27. 08. 2009 17:57:07 |
There are quite a few snakes also on the path to Kamniški vrh, from the hamlet Vaseno (from the monument onwards) all the way to the branch for pl. Osredek/Kamniški vrh. They sunbathe right on the path and can easily be mistaken for roots.
|
|
|
|
| jprim27. 08. 2009 18:51:30 |
Meeting with a viper wasn't pleasant at all. Good that we were alert about it, it's the Karavanke area - on descent from Kušutnik tower - Eastern path (we found this warning in the path description, good not too late, because the gentleman was sunning himself right on the path. There's a stretch of path that suits them for living, so he wasn't the only one ... we got him a bit to even pose for us.
Safe and happy steps.
LP!
|
|
|
|
| jusuf19. 09. 2009 13:02:13 |
I'm a bit (or very) confused by such different advice. First aid kit: OK, but what's in it? Usually can't call, staying completely still even less. These aren't very good tips. So what?
//If a wasp or hornet stings you good first aid is to put a hot object on the sting right away that breaks down the venom. Knife, spoon heated with lighter... Sun-heated stone also helps. Is the method useful also for snake bite?
Best regards.
|
|
|
|
| viharnik19. 09. 2009 13:18:22 |
It also applies to snake venom. My acquaintance Melisa, who is Dr. at the blood department, Lj, advised only a light tie on the limb (arm, leg) above the bite, so that the venom doesn't reach the heart in quantity and time. It's good if we break down the area around the bite with fire-heat, but never cut the wound or suck the venom, which is not effective. Snake bites are not deadly for adults, but for children up to 40kg they can be.
|
|
|
|
| Edina23. 09. 2009 22:31:23 |
I'm wondering if the temperatures are now low enough that we don't have to worry about snakes. If anyone knows more please write. Thanks.
|
|
|
You must log in to post a comment:
If you do not yet have a username, you must first
register.