A Puffy enjoying the Knysna Lagoon – Video Catriona Kent

For decades Knysna’s locals and visitors have enjoyed swimming freely in the estuary with very little concern for what is in the water with them.

On the 19th of October 2017, Catriona Kent a Knysna local, had the privilege of sighting a Puff Adder swimming in the estuary next to their boat – needless to say, this has shocked and amazed many, who will probably never place their big toe in the water again.

Puff Adders swim really well and usually on the surface with undulating movements of the body. 99.9% of all venomous snakes swim with inflated lungs and can open their mouths and bite if provoked underwater. Generally snakes do not attack unless they feel threatened or cornered and even then, they prefer to remove themselves from the situation.

As Puff Adders are the most common and widely spread venomous snake in South Africa, it is important to get help as soon as possible in the case that someone has been bitten.

Here are simple guidelines to follow between being bitten and getting to the hospital and a bit of protocol, which the doctors may find helpful:

Once bitten the first and most important thing to do is to try stay as calm as possible. NEVER describe the symptoms in too much detail as the victim may become scared and the last thing you want is them panicking.
If you aren’t able to go directly to a hospital, ask someone to phone for an ambulance and phone the hospital to alert them to be ready for a snake bite victim.
Safely move the snake away – because Puff Adders are slow moving snakes, you can take tongs, a long piece of wood, or any other object which will distance you and the snake, and gently push the snake away.
DO NOT try to kill the snake. Most people get bitten while doing that. So avoid it at all times!!
DO NOT try to pick the snake up as it will try to bite you. They are also one of the fastest striking snakes in the world, so best not to chance it.
Get the victim to lie down and move as little as possible. If you can, lower the limb which has been bitten to below the level of the victims’ heart.
Wrap a large crepe bandage around the limb – not too tight as to restrict blood flow. Start at the bite and work your way up the limb. Secure a splint to the bandage to avoid movement of the limb. Avoid bending or moving the limb while applying the splint.
DO NOT remove the bandage and or the splint. Medical staff will remove it once antivenom and adrenaline is at hand and or administered.
If you have in stock – have the SAIMR (South African Institute for Medical Research) polyvalent antivenom ready for the Paramedics to take with the victim to the hospital. Do not attempt to inject the antivenom unless you are trained to do so and can treat any possible anaphylaxis.
Be prepared to give the patient CPR if so required.
Do not cut or incise the bite and do not try suck the venom out.
Do not apply ice or anything hot to the bite.