Yer not safe,,

[Die Judicii]

Well the writing has been on the wall quite some time already this year.
It's certainly gonna be a year to remember in regard to our wrigglers.
Seen plenty already out bush, and on the roads.
Today I was doing a bit of gardening and was confronted by Mr Brown.

So what,,,,,,, a lot might say,,,,,,,,, But I live in town now,,,,,, so I had to just stand and watch as he poked his tongue out at me.

[bladeracer]

Well the writing has been on the wall quite some time already this year.
It's certainly gonna be a year to remember in regard to our wrigglers.
Seen plenty already out bush, and on the roads.
Today I was doing a bit of gardening and was confronted by Mr Brown.

So what,,,,,,, a lot might say,,,,,,,,, But I live in town now,,,,,, so I had to just stand and watch as he poked his tongue out at me.

We've had a copperhead hanging around the pistol club for a few weeks. I was able to get some video of it this arvo. It was laying in the grass and I walked up to about two metres of it before it noticed me and bolted.
https://youtu.be/JXQx0pSey28

[deye243]

That ain't like any copper head around here (bairnsdale) Looks like our blacks .
The tigers are out up here .

[Larry]

I was going to say the same thing that does not look like a copper head not just in colour but also shape. Be careful the browns they have no fear. Several times I have had them come from quite a distance straight towards me. The first time I stood still hoped for the best and it passed by just inches away. Lucky it didnt get a fright. Other times I have been able to move a couple a meters out of their path but they were not going to go around me.

[bladeracer]

I was going to say the same thing that does not look like a copper head not just in colour but also shape. Be careful the browns they have no fear. Several times I have had them come from quite a distance straight towards me. The first time I stood still hoped for the best and it passed by just inches away. Lucky it didn't get a fright. Other times I have been able to move a couple a meters out of their path but they were not going to go around me.

We were fairly sure it was a copperhead, it's been seen numerous times by different people, but once I had video I submitted it to the experts and they confirmed the ID as a copperhead. We have lots of RBB's here and this doesn't look or move like our RBB's. I was outside having a muffin and wondered if it might be around, so I went for a look and there it was. I got my phone out and walked towards it, slowly, but I wasn't sneaky. I assumed it knew I was there so I was surprised when it took fright. My biggest concern would be kids and dogs but neither are common at the club, and it's in the fenced area so no outsiders are going to be wandering through. But if it's so easily spooked, somebody wandering around there for a wee could end up bitten. They're going to discuss at the next meeting to get somebody in to relocate it elsewhere. The club has a workplace group coming through for an "end of year" shoot so we've been tidying the place up for them, hopefully a bunch of them decide to become pistol shooters!

I was crouched videoing a red belly from less than a meter away a few years ago on the dam wall. It certainly knew I was there as it was watching me very closely. It was coiled up and it simply sprung into the air, straight through the fence and into the dam. So I got video of it swimming around keeping an eye on me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLZJvbiX0TM

Same snake, different day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skxR8hketTA

And I got video of one on the back veranda about three years ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slBewA2KKNs

[bladeracer]

That ain't like any copper head around here (bairnsdale) Looks like our blacks .
The tigers are out up here .

Tigers still confuse me but we haven't seen any out here, though I'm sure they're around.

[Bugman]

They have their place....just not in my backyard.

[Oldbloke]

That ain't like any copper head around here (bairnsdale) Looks like our blacks .
The tigers are out up here .

Tigers still confuse me but we haven't seen any out here, though I'm sure they're around.

I must have caught I think 6 tigers now. All smallish. 4 in my back yard. I just take them about 2km down the road near a creek.

[Wapiti]

We had our RFS annual general meeting last night and one of the blokes mentioned his neighbour who was down on the river to do maintenance on a irrigation pump and a juvenile (30cm) eastern brown bit him on the hand.
Because driving to Tenterfield was out of the question because there's no weekend doctor, and to drive towards Stanthorpe was driving further out of mobile coverage, old mate decided to head to the Texas hospital, where the doctor had to be called in (live in doctor in supplied house, on call). They had no antivenine so he decided old mate probably only suffered a scratch instead of a bite injection. Discharged him. Old mate was going downhill so jumped up and down.
An ambulance took him to Stanthorpe, wasting more time, where they had no anti either. So the helicopter was called and he was flown to Toowoomba, where he was finally sorted out. He had suffered a venom injection.
He got through all this s**t because he had self-applied a constrictive bandage. Smart and very lucky, considering the incompetence that day.

So I hope all you blokes recheck your hunting carry first aid kits. Enough constrictive bandage to wrap your longest limb from bottom to top.
Apart from eastern/western Taipans, these snakes are the ones we worry about. These two breeds can result in crippling organ damage despite treatment being administered in time. I'm not belittling other snake breeds at all, but as the world's second most venomous snake, one we see out here in our house yard whenever we care to look, it's a big deal. Eyes down.

[Wapiti]

That ain't like any copper head around here (bairnsdale) Looks like our blacks .
The tigers are out up here .

Tigers still confuse me but we haven't seen any out here, though I'm sure they're around.

I must have caught I think 6 tigers now. All smallish. 4 in my back yard. I just take them about 2km down the road near a creek.

I use the 12g 7/2 method. My wife tells me that statistics show that the majority of lethal snake bites are from people trying to catch them. I have people, pets and stock to protect and me taking the risk elsewhere by relocation is inconsiderate where I am. Like roos, they aint endangered.

[alexjones]

That ain't like any copper head around here (bairnsdale) Looks like our blacks .
The tigers are out up here .

Tigers still confuse me but we haven't seen any out here, though I'm sure they're around.

I must have caught I think 6 tigers now. All smallish. 4 in my back yard. I just take them about 2km down the road near a creek.

I use the 12g 7/2 method. My wife tells me that statistics show that the majority of lethal snake bites are from people trying to catch them. I have people, pets and stock to protect and me taking the risk elsewhere by relocation is inconsiderate where I am. Like roos, they aint endangered.

No they are not endangered but you can not legally kill them in Queensland without the proper paperwork. So I hope you have the proper paper work to be admitting in a public forum to using the 12g method.

Yes snakes are quite placid and will run away more often than not when encountered. Which is why most bites are when trying to move them.

[Die Judicii]

Well, added to my initial post, my partner,, informs me that at least the Warwick hospital does have a ready supply of Antivenine on hand at all times, (she works there,, so knows this is correct).

But the wrigglers are definitely active at the moment, Yesterday we went from Warwick to Leyburn (just on 60 klms) to a function.
On the return trip we saw 5 mature sized browns laying on the warm bitumin, which is what they commonly do at night.

[bladeracer]

I use the 12g 7/2 method. My wife tells me that statistics show that the majority of lethal snake bites are from people trying to catch them. I have people, pets and stock to protect and me taking the risk elsewhere by relocation is inconsiderate where I am. Like roos, they aint endangered.

Not endangered but they are protected and it's illegal to harm them.

[Oldbloke]

Well, added to my initial post, my partner,, informs me that at least the Warwick hospital does have a ready supply of Antivenine on hand at all times, (she works there,, so knows this is correct).

But the wrigglers are definitely active at the moment, Yesterday we went from Warwick to Leyburn (just on 60 klms) to a function.
On the return trip we saw 5 mature sized browns laying on the warm bitumin, which is what they commonly do at night.

Yeh, if I see them, along with other wildlife I sometimes stop and move them off the road.

[Oldbloke]

I use the 12g 7/2 method. My wife tells me that statistics show that the majority of lethal snake bites are from people trying to catch them. I have people, pets and stock to protect and me taking the risk elsewhere by relocation is inconsiderate where I am. Like roos, they aint endangered.

Not endangered but they are protected and it's illegal to harm them.

Correct.
You do need to be careful if your trying to catch them.

[Wapiti]

I use the 12g 7/2 method. My wife tells me that statistics show that the majority of lethal snake bites are from people trying to catch them. I have people, pets and stock to protect and me taking the risk elsewhere by relocation is inconsiderate where I am. Like roos, they aint endangered.

Not endangered but they are protected and it's illegal to harm them.

Never alleged that I kill them. That would be illegal, and thank goodness for the well meaning urban folk that make up these common-sense rules for us out here.
I just use that method as the components are cheap and readily available when firing warning shots to chase them away.

[Wapiti]

Well, added to my initial post, my partner,, informs me that at least the Warwick hospital does have a ready supply of Antivenine on hand at all times, (she works there,, so knows this is correct).

But the wrigglers are definitely active at the moment, Yesterday we went from Warwick to Leyburn (just on 60 klms) to a function.
On the return trip we saw 5 mature sized browns laying on the warm bitumin, which is what they commonly do at night.

Maybe they might have antivenene right now mate, but apparently then they did not. That's quite normal apparently.
And they often have "issues" with ordering many vital supplies when they are over their individual budgets, as your wife probably knows. My wife has had much grief regarding this, as she is a ED qualified Facem and knows the boss at that hospital very well. Qld has been a basket case, hopefully it will now improve.

She reckons though, that if old-mate presented at Warwick after all that time with a deteriorating assessment, there's no way he wouldn't have been immediately shot to Toowoomba. They cannot deal with that at Warwick, and any ED Doctor trained here wouldn't hesitate to call the big yellow/blue dragonfly you see there sometimes more than once a day.

[wanneroo]

So I hope all you blokes recheck your hunting carry first aid kits. Enough constrictive bandage to wrap your longest limb from bottom to top.
Apart from eastern/western Taipans, these snakes are the ones we worry about. These two breeds can result in crippling organ damage despite treatment being administered in time. I'm not belittling other snake breeds at all, but as the world's second most venomous snake, one we see out here in our house yard whenever we care to look, it's a big deal. Eyes down.

Next time in Australia I plan on getting outside into the bush more so I will have to learn up all this stuff and prepare just in case.

[bladeracer]

This popped up yesterday on my FB feed:

"That bite of summer has well and truly come early this year and with that heat, comes snakes.
This article was written by Rob Timmings
Rob runs a medical/nursing education business Teaching nurses, doctors and paramedics. It’s well worth the read
#ECT4Health
3000 bites are reported annually.
300-500 hospitalisations
2-3 deaths annually.
Average time to death is 12 hours. The urban myth that you are bitten in the yard and die before you can walk from your chook pen back to the house is a load of rubbish.
While not new, the management of snake bite (like a flood/fire evacuation plan or CPR) should be refreshed each season.
Let’s start with a
Basic overview.
There are five genus of snakes that will harm us (seriously)
Browns, Blacks, Adders, Tigers and Taipans.
All snake venom is made up of huge proteins (like egg white). When bitten, a snake injects some venom into the meat of your limb (NOT into your blood).
This venom can not be absorbed into the blood stream from the bite site.
It travels in a fluid transport system in your body called the lymphatic system (not the blood stream).
Now this fluid (lymph) is moved differently to blood.
Your heart pumps blood around, so even when you are lying dead still, your blood still circulates around the body. Lymph fluid is different. It moves around with physical muscle movement like bending your arm, bending knees, wriggling fingers and toes, walking/exercise etc.
Now here is the thing. Lymph fluid becomes blood after these lymph vessels converge to form one of two large vessels (lymphatic trunks)which are connected to veins at the base of the neck.
Back to the snake bite site.
When bitten, the venom has been injected into this lymph fluid (which makes up the bulk of the water in your tissues).
The only way that the venom can get into your blood stream is to be moved from the bite site in the lymphatic vessels. The only way to do this is to physically move the limbs that were bitten.
Stay still!!! Venom can’t move if the victim doesn’t move.
Stay still!!
Remember people are not bitten into their blood stream.
In the 1980s a technique called Pressure immobilisation bandaging was developed to further retard venom movement. It completely stops venom /lymph transport toward the blood stream.
A firm roll bandage is applied directly over the bite site (don’t wash the area).
Technique:
Three steps: keep them still
Step 1
Apply a bandage over the bite site, to an area about 10cm above and below the bite.
Step 2:
Then using another elastic roller bandage, apply a firm wrap from Fingers/toes all the way to the armpit/groin.
The bandage needs to be firm, but not so tight that it causes fingers or toes to turn purple or white. About the tension of a sprain bandage.
Step 3:
Splint the limb so the patient can’t walk or bend the limb.
Do nots:
Do not cut, incise or suck the venom.
Do not EVER use a tourniquet
Don’t remove the shirt or pants - just bandage over the top of clothing.
Remember movement (like wriggling out of a shirt or pants) causes venom movement.
DO NOT try to catch, kill or identify the snake!!! This is important.
In hospital we NO LONGER NEED to know the type of snake; it doesn’t change treatment.
5 years ago we would do a test on the bite, blood or urine to identify the snake so the correct anti venom can be used.
BUT NOW...
we don’t do this. Our new Antivenom neutralises the venoms of all the 5 listed snake genus, so it doesn’t matter what snake bit the patient.
Read that again- one injection for all snakes!
Polyvalent is our one shot wonder, stocked in all hospitals, so most hospitals no longer stock specific Antivenins.
Australian snakes tend to have 3 main effects in differing degrees.
Bleeding - internally and bruising.
Muscles paralysed causing difficulty talking, moving & breathing.
Pain
In some snakes severe muscle pain in the limb, and days later the bite site can break down forming a nasty wound.
Allergy to snakes is rarer than winning lotto twice.
Final tips: not all bitten people are envenomated and only those starting to show symptoms above are given antivenom.
Did I mention to stay still.
~Rob Timmings
Kingston/Robe Health Advisory"

[Bugman]

This popped up yesterday on my FB feed:

"That bite of summer has well and truly come early this year and with that heat, comes snakes.
This article was written by Rob Timmings
Rob runs a medical/nursing education business Teaching nurses, doctors and paramedics. It’s well worth the read
#ECT4Health
3000 bites are reported annually.
300-500 hospitalisations
2-3 deaths annually.
Average time to death is 12 hours. The urban myth that you are bitten in the yard and die before you can walk from your chook pen back to the house is a load of rubbish.
While not new, the management of snake bite (like a flood/fire evacuation plan or CPR) should be refreshed each season.
Let’s start with a
Basic overview.
There are five genus of snakes that will harm us (seriously)
Browns, Blacks, Adders, Tigers and Taipans.
All snake venom is made up of huge proteins (like egg white). When bitten, a snake injects some venom into the meat of your limb (NOT into your blood).
This venom can not be absorbed into the blood stream from the bite site.
It travels in a fluid transport system in your body called the lymphatic system (not the blood stream).
Now this fluid (lymph) is moved differently to blood.
Your heart pumps blood around, so even when you are lying dead still, your blood still circulates around the body. Lymph fluid is different. It moves around with physical muscle movement like bending your arm, bending knees, wriggling fingers and toes, walking/exercise etc.
Now here is the thing. Lymph fluid becomes blood after these lymph vessels converge to form one of two large vessels (lymphatic trunks)which are connected to veins at the base of the neck.
Back to the snake bite site.
When bitten, the venom has been injected into this lymph fluid (which makes up the bulk of the water in your tissues).
The only way that the venom can get into your blood stream is to be moved from the bite site in the lymphatic vessels. The only way to do this is to physically move the limbs that were bitten.
Stay still!!! Venom can’t move if the victim doesn’t move.
Stay still!!
Remember people are not bitten into their blood stream.
In the 1980s a technique called Pressure immobilisation bandaging was developed to further retard venom movement. It completely stops venom /lymph transport toward the blood stream.
A firm roll bandage is applied directly over the bite site (don’t wash the area).
Technique:
Three steps: keep them still
Step 1
Apply a bandage over the bite site, to an area about 10cm above and below the bite.
Step 2:
Then using another elastic roller bandage, apply a firm wrap from Fingers/toes all the way to the armpit/groin.
The bandage needs to be firm, but not so tight that it causes fingers or toes to turn purple or white. About the tension of a sprain bandage.
Step 3:
Splint the limb so the patient can’t walk or bend the limb.
Do nots:
Do not cut, incise or suck the venom.
Do not EVER use a tourniquet
Don’t remove the shirt or pants - just bandage over the top of clothing.
Remember movement (like wriggling out of a shirt or pants) causes venom movement.
DO NOT try to catch, kill or identify the snake!!! This is important.
In hospital we NO LONGER NEED to know the type of snake; it doesn’t change treatment.
5 years ago we would do a test on the bite, blood or urine to identify the snake so the correct anti venom can be used.
BUT NOW...
we don’t do this. Our new Antivenom neutralises the venoms of all the 5 listed snake genus, so it doesn’t matter what snake bit the patient.
Read that again- one injection for all snakes!
Polyvalent is our one shot wonder, stocked in all hospitals, so most hospitals no longer stock specific Antivenins.
Australian snakes tend to have 3 main effects in differing degrees.
Bleeding - internally and bruising.
Muscles paralysed causing difficulty talking, moving & breathing.
Pain
In some snakes severe muscle pain in the limb, and days later the bite site can break down forming a nasty wound.
Allergy to snakes is rarer than winning lotto twice.
Final tips: not all bitten people are envenomated and only those starting to show symptoms above are given antivenom.
Did I mention to stay still.
~Rob Timmings
Kingston/Robe Health Advisory"

Excellent information and advice. Makes you want to stay indoors and watch telly. Na!! Get out there, life is a challenge.

[bladeracer]

Excellent information and advice. Makes you want to stay indoors and watch telly. Na!! Get out there, life is a challenge.

Snakes are beautiful and amazing, it's always worth getting outside and hoping you'll come across one