Berget Forum

Couln't see this issue been taken up anywhere in the forum.

In Sweden as other scandinavian countries, there is a venomeus snake
The venom gives you a Headache, nausia & fever.
But if you are allergic to f.eks bees, it can be lethal.
Medical help is advised in any case.

I would strongly adwise wearing leather boots for the event.
& watch where you dive to cover, this is not scare tactics just conserne.
There has been reported very high number of snakes this summer in all scandinavian countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus

Last year I saw a number of snakes in the cleared area around M-09 (on the BE grid).... I dont recommend walking through there.

So called "adderpacks" (direct translation from finnish kyypakkaus) are pretty affordable and can be found in all pharmacys at least and I would recon from bigger markets and gas stations. These packs are ment exactly against both snakes (ones in the picture) and bees/wasps/hornets which ever suits your taste. My Finnish version sais that over 15 years old should take 3 pills but this naturally may vary between the manufacturers of this medicine, so when you go and buy a set (highly recommended) do read carefully what the instructions say to do if you have been biten.

Saw a snake (viper) on my way to basecamp right after we'd checked in last year too, so they live out there alright.

Still, we can consider ourselves lucky in Sweden that we don't have too many venomous animals, and those who do carry venom are usually not lethal (unless you're allergic of course, or have the physical constitution of a small child).

All in all it could be a whole lot worse (I'd be scared to play airsoft in the outback of Australia )

Anyhow, keep a lookout for zigzag-patterns or completely black snakes (hose are the venomous species). If they're greyish with yellow spots behind their ears then they're harmless.

Maybe stupid question, but... is it allowed to kill them on sight?

Remember that 30% off the bites are whitout poison, so don't freak out
And as mentioned lethal bites are rare

I must say, "adderpack" doesn't help... actually there's no proof that it will help anyway when a snake (adder/viper) bites.
The most important thing is not to move your bitten limb (it's good to use a splint) and get to the doctor ASAP (by carrying).

WhiteAce wrote:Maybe stupid question, but... is it allowed to kill them on sight?

No all snakes are protected
http://www5.o.lst.se/projekt/frida/pdf/620-6242-5.pdf more reading about protected wildlife & flowers.

/N

Blåbär wrote:

WhiteAce wrote:Maybe stupid question, but... is it allowed to kill them on sight?

No all snakes are protected
http://www5.o.lst.se/projekt/frida/pdf/620-6242-5.pdf more reading about protected wildlife & flowers.

/N

Thanks! Good to know

Pictures are good.

Bad snakes (venomous):



Safe snake, although it might try to scare an aggressor off by hissing and biting (nonvenomous):

We have the same types of snake in Central Russia. Precautions are of course needed, but it is good to remember that these snakes are generally not aggressive. It is said that we actually meet vipers in the wood much more often than we see them, because they take every precaution so that we do not notice them and do them no harm. These snakes are much more afraid of us than we are of them. They cannot view a man as their prey - they do not have such teeth as would allow to bite small pieces off their food, they can only swallow, and it is very hard to imagine that a little snake could swallow a big brute like yourself.

Like many (if not all) crawling animals they are very good at feeling vibrations. So they can feel your heavy steps from afar and crawl away into hiding. This is what they generally do - unless they are mad with their breeding instincts (their breeding period is over now - it comes in April and lasts till May-early June) or they have been basking in the sun for too long and have become too lazy to go away.

So, when you see a snake, try to overcome your natural disgust and view it as a worthy inhabitant of the wood. Let it go away or, if it doesn't go, pass by some 5 meters away from it. Do not approach it - respect its privacy and understand that it is afraid of you. Remember that if it is coiled and hissing at you and you are as close as 1 meter, it can spring on you. If it is not coiled but straight and crawling, it will be very hard for it to attack you, so just do not touch it.

If you are bitten by a snake, do not panic. Just go somewhere where you can get medical assistance (main safezone, probably). It you do not feel well (nausea, weakness), ask your comrades to help you to get there.

These snakes have never caused any problems. However if you know you are allergic to bees its very likely that you are also allergic to these snakes.

But if you have these allergies i assume that you carry an epipen and cortisone.

If you dont our securitystaff have these medicines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphylaxis

In my opinion everyone should have some antihistamines at hand because you get in contact with so many different things when you crawl around in the woods. Atleast antihistamines makes all you mosquito bites not itch so much.

In the imortal words of Brian Adams of how to protect yourself from dangeres snakes : "Just don´t get bitten !"

kjsaw wrote:Last year I saw a number of snakes in the cleared area around M-09 (on the BE grid).... I dont recommend walking through there.

Yes, this area is open and sunny where snakes like to lay in the sun.

Also, always check your sleeping bags and boots before slipping into them!