Snake bite, ID and handling course.

[Bushviper]

Snake Identification and Bite Treatment Course, (Handling course now incorporated)

This course covers all the venomous snakes as well as semi-venomous snakes in RSA. You will be taught how to identify them from other snakes, what venom they possess, their distribution, habitat and how to treat their bites. You will receive all the necessary course material on the day. You will be shown images of all the dangerous snakes and snake bite studies as well as live specimens of most of the venomous snakes. You will write exams after the course and successful candidates will later receive certificates.

Immediately after this will be the snake handling course. This course has been attended by zoo staff, field guides, game rangers, herpetologist and hobbyist. All of them rate this course, as one of their most valuable skills learnt to date. This course is aimed at people that come into contact with snakes and other reptiles in the field or for people wanting to learn more on how to handle snakes and reptiles in a responsible and safe manner. The course is both theory and practical and each candidate will have the opportunity to handle a non-venomous and venomous snakes.

You will be lectured on the various methods of handling venomous snakes as well as shown in practical demonstrations. Safe husbandry practises when venomous snakes are concerned is also discussed and explained as well as various equipment is demonstrated.

You will be lectured on the do's and don’ts, as well as the golden rules. All candidates must sign indemnification forms and minors need their parents / guardians permission and signature.

This course is run under strict supervision, and two snake wranglers are present at all times during practical assessment.

Successful candidates will receive certificates. Snake handling equipment will be for sale on the day.

Coffee, tea and sandwiches are included although a proper lunch can be ordered at your own cost or pizza from the restaurant will be supplied at our cost.

Costs : R900 per person
Venue: Croc city, Lanseria JHB.
Date : 2nd of February 2013
Time: 09:00 till approximately 16:00pm

For bookings, please mail to bookings@reptileexpo.co.za

Deposits will be compulsory from now on to ensure a place.

[coral snake]

Will there be another one later on this year or not??

[Bushviper]

Possibly in the middle of the year again.

[Herald_23]

Mr Naude

I would honestly love to do your course, but I live to moerin gone

[coral snake]

Thanks BV. I'll be at the one in Feb. Will do the booking later on this week. Anything we need to bring such as handeling equipment etc. ??

Is it a problem if I'm under 18??

[najarw]

Hi BV
Is there a possibility of this course happening in the Durban area this year? because compaired to Pta/Jhb we are also to moerin gone.

[Bushviper]

You can bring your own equipment if you have but there will be enough to use on the day.

If you are under 18 that is not a problem as long as your parents sign the indemnity form for you. I dont train people younger than 14 though because the exam is a bit rough for them.

If I have enough interest i will do a course in Durban again. I have done two or three there before.

[Kakibos]

Thank you very much Arno for your time and all the great advice and stuff I learned today.
The course and beer was great.

O yes and a little bonus, I had the privilege to help this little guy out off his egg.

[coral snake]

I have to second that.

This course was one of the most valuable skills I have ever learned!!!
Its a must for all snake enthusiasts!

Thanks for the course Arno.
Glad you like the pics kaki

[Bushviper]

Yeah its not every day that you get your course interrupted by the opportunity to hatch some crocodiles.

I enjoyed the course but I must say the puff adder was the worst behaved snake I have ever had to deal with. It is not often that a puff adder lunges and manages to get her entire considerable bulk off the ground. Now we all know why you dont try to tail or neck a puff adder. By the same token I have never had a Mozambique spitter who does not rear make a hood or spit either.

[Chopper 1]

Yeah its not every day that you get your course interrupted by the opportunity to hatch some crocodiles.

I enjoyed the course but I must say the puff adder was the worst behaved snake I have ever had to deal with. It is not often that a puff adder lunges and manages to get her entire considerable bulk off the ground. Now we all know why you dont try to tail or neck a puff adder. By the same token I have never had a Mozambique spitter who does not rear make a hood or spit either.

I had the same with a 1.5m female boomslang yesterday - she was extremely agro and made handling by my "students" dangerous so i had to can her! You can't win them all BV I would love to join one of your courses to get a view from the "side"!

Cheers

[Bushbaby]

Good day

Our next Snake Identification and Bite Treatment Course will be held on the 8th June 2013. Please e-mail me at courses@snakebiteassist.co.za should you be interested in attending.

[Clive b]

Hi with this course include handling?

[brentraf]

All the details about the course are in the original post.

[Chopper 1]

I have to second that.

This course was one of the most valuable skills I have ever learned!!!
Its a must for all snake enthusiasts!

Thanks for the course Arno.
Glad you like the pics kaki

And it makes it that much better than most of the other "courses" in that the speakers are VERY experienced in all the subjetcs they talk about!!