This episode of Tales From The Midpack is with Dr Christina Zdenek, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Queensland. She is an expert on snakes, which includes research into snake venom, ecology, behaviour, and the conflict between humans and snakes. As trail runners snakes are a part of our experience, and it was great to hear from someone so knowledgeable about them.
You can listen here. Some key takeaways were:
Unlikely to get struck by a snake
Don’t let fear of snakes stop you getting out in nature, which we need for our wellbeing.
Less than 3% of the time snakes react to people walking past. (We don’t see the 100s of times we pass snakes and they hide or slither away.)
Less than 1% of the time will they strike, which they'll only do in self defence. (We are 4x more likely to die from a car crash than being struck by a snake.)
Of that less than 1%, they might be dry bites. Snakes only envenomate as a last resort.
Very snake dependent, but over 24 degrees there will likely be more snakes out and about and hunting.
Do snakes chase?
Snakes don't chase you. If it looks like they are they are either: 1) trying to scare you off (by rearing up, or advance at you for a few metres if that hasn't worked) and as soon as you're on the back foot they will leave, or 2) you might be between the snake and its safe space. Stay still.
Tips for trail runners
Watch where you’re going.
Choose wider paths where you can.
Carry a snake bandage on all runs. The bandage is your lifeline. It can buy you 6-8 hours because you’re trapping that venom in the lymphatic system, or at least slowing it.
Have a way to call for help.
Have a call back system - tell someone when you’re meant to be back. They’ll give you some wriggle room, but then if they don’t hear from you they send help.
If you encounter a snake stay still, then slowly back away.
What to do if you get bitten?
Compress
Immobilise
Call for help
Deep breaths - stay calm.
Pressure immobilisation in Australia will save you.
Extreme circumstance - no call back system, and no one knows you're out there
You’re in trouble.
If it was a black snake, slowly get back to the car/help.
If it was a brown snake or taipan, stay put.
Final thoughts
Snakes are vital to the ecosystem.
Leave them where they are if you can.
Keep the non venomous ones around.
Call a snake catcher if you need a snake moved.
Enjoy the great outdoors, and don't get help back by a fear of snakes.
I hope you enjoy,
Beck.
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