Revisiting the Ian Miller incident |
| Drakensberg - Hiking | ||||
| Thursday, 17 September 2009 23:43 | ||||
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The fatal snakebite incident involving Ian Miller in 1955 has been immortalised by the details published in Dragon's Wrath and Barrier of Spears. Some interesting details have now been released about the rescue. The well-known photo of Ian Miller cautiously probing the grass for snake on that ill-fated trip was recently published in an article appearing in The Witness, titled A Tale of Two Pictures.
The photo is linked from that article. It has already been pointed out that Miller's phobia of snakebite may have been an aggravating factor in his death. It remains the only account of snakebite related death in the Drakensberg that I know of. Snakebites remain rare in the Berg (the last incident happened to be in February this year). Remain calm and get help as soon as possible. The following advice is published on the KZN Wildlife website:
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 April 2010 15:42 ) | ||||
In response Peter Allan, who was involved in the rescue, submitted an article which provides some little known details of the event. This worthwhile read can be viewed 
Results from the opinion poll "Which Berg snake troubles you most?":
Puff Adder - 32 (56.1%)
Berg Adder - 13 (22.8%)
Rinkhals - 8 (14%)
Cape Cobra - 4 (7%)
Number of Voters : 57
First Vote : Tuesday, 20 October 2009 05:35
Last Vote : Tuesday, 23 March 2010 19:54
Puff Adder - 32 (56.1%)
Berg Adder - 13 (22.8%)
Rinkhals - 8 (14%)
Cape Cobra - 4 (7%)
Number of Voters : 57
First Vote : Tuesday, 20 October 2009 05:35
Last Vote : Tuesday, 23 March 2010 19:54
Thanks to everyone for some useful info so far, keep it coming. Always interesting to come across topics that get people talking.
See the current poll at the bottom of all pages on this site. The topic is which Berg snake causes you the most concern or which you are most worried about. The poll is not intended to cause undue sensation around the topic of snakes, its merely intended to stimulate more thought and discussion among hikers on the topic.
See the current poll at the bottom of all pages on this site. The topic is which Berg snake causes you the most concern or which you are most worried about. The poll is not intended to cause undue sensation around the topic of snakes, its merely intended to stimulate more thought and discussion among hikers on the topic.
I had the privilege to attend a presentation on SA snakes by Johan Marais (a leading SA snake expert) for students in natural science at the North-West University.
His view on antivenom is that the amount of antivenom required by a serious snakebite is several times more than the amount regular "snake bite kits" contain, therefore the amount any normal person will be able to obtain is not sufficient.
Secondly antivenom should only be administered in a well controlled environment like a hospital due to the serious side effects thereof.
On the point of identifying the snake he commented that he knows of several cases where people lost limbs due to an improperly applied tourniquet after being bitten by a harmless snake.
Bottom line being that the best course of action is to stay calm and get to the closest, largest hospital asap. Though I know that this is will not be simple if the bite occurs in the berg (at least we now have helicopters...).
His view on antivenom is that the amount of antivenom required by a serious snakebite is several times more than the amount regular "snake bite kits" contain, therefore the amount any normal person will be able to obtain is not sufficient.
Secondly antivenom should only be administered in a well controlled environment like a hospital due to the serious side effects thereof.
On the point of identifying the snake he commented that he knows of several cases where people lost limbs due to an improperly applied tourniquet after being bitten by a harmless snake.
Bottom line being that the best course of action is to stay calm and get to the closest, largest hospital asap. Though I know that this is will not be simple if the bite occurs in the berg (at least we now have helicopters...).
Very interesting topic. I live in the Mpumalanga Lowveld and here we have big 5: black mamba, treesnake, puffie, Moz Spitting Cobra and vine snake. They are killed by people on a daily basis, espcially the tree snakes. Since living here I have come to learn a lot more about these guys - other than the puffadder (lazy) you are not likely to see any of these often. And of the 5 mentioned on top only 3 can actually really bite you - tree and vine snakes are designed for bird feeding, you have to apply in writing to be bitten on your fingers.
I have encountered puffadders, bergadders and rinkhals in the berg - once 3 within 500 meters. They just scooted. Other was whilst climbing the route to Organ Pipes via the Camel in heavy mist that a loud hissing warned us looong before we came close - it was too cold for the snake to move away quickly.
Serum is also a controversial topic - all doctors and hospitals nowadays treat snakebites according to the symptoms. So should you be very unlucky and get bitten, stay calm, strap the leg or arm firmly but not tight, relax and let them get you to hospital. A dangerous fact about serum is that snakes look different in the various development phases, so unless you are an expert, we often mistake one snake for another.
I am not an expert, I have just learnt from snake wranglers here and experts that snakes are not a threat - they will run - and that you obviously should not go after them to play with them. And if you get bitten, relax stay calm and get help.
I keep a eye on the track when hiking, and will still be wary, but I am don't fear snakes. Well, the test will probably come if I'm bitten one day, but prevention is my motto!
I have encountered puffadders, bergadders and rinkhals in the berg - once 3 within 500 meters. They just scooted. Other was whilst climbing the route to Organ Pipes via the Camel in heavy mist that a loud hissing warned us looong before we came close - it was too cold for the snake to move away quickly.
Serum is also a controversial topic - all doctors and hospitals nowadays treat snakebites according to the symptoms. So should you be very unlucky and get bitten, stay calm, strap the leg or arm firmly but not tight, relax and let them get you to hospital. A dangerous fact about serum is that snakes look different in the various development phases, so unless you are an expert, we often mistake one snake for another.
I am not an expert, I have just learnt from snake wranglers here and experts that snakes are not a threat - they will run - and that you obviously should not go after them to play with them. And if you get bitten, relax stay calm and get help.
I keep a eye on the track when hiking, and will still be wary, but I am don't fear snakes. Well, the test will probably come if I'm bitten one day, but prevention is my motto!
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