Be informed - unusually rare occurrence of bites in the dark during night drives

[dune jockey]

While we have been enjoying night drives in this hot summer, it is important we are well aware as to what needs to be done in case of a creeper bite in the dark. Desert is their home and we are the "invaders" , and hence instinctively they can bite us in self defense. Scorpions and snakes are more active at night and hence it is required you know what needs to be done when this can occur 

SNAKES: a quick pictorial review of snakes which can be found in UAE.

Snakes can be venomous (Poisonous) and non venomous(Non poisonous) 

Non venomous 

1. Blind Snake Non venomous 

2. Thread Snake Non venomous 

3. Sand Boa Non venomous 

4. Wadi Racer Non venomous 

5. False Cobra Non venomous 

6. Sand racer - Hissing snake Non venomous 

Venomous Snakes - Poisonous - the Triangular faced Vipers are dangerous which are the only poisonous snakes found in UAE

1. Saw Scaled Viper - Poisonous

2. Sand Viper - Poisonous

3. False Horned Viper -Poisonous

 

Vipers are the only venomous snakes in the UAE, and are found mostly in desert and rocky mountain areas.

Snake bites are extremely rare, and most occur when a snake is picked up/ felt it is in danger.

The Venom from UAE Vipers is Haemotoxic (destroys blood cells)

Sometimes puncture wounds can be seen at site of the bite.

Bite is generally not very painful but within one hour copious bleeding is likely from the bite wound and any other wounds cuts or scratches the victim may have.

Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea and vomiting.

It’s helpful to restrict the blood and lymphatic flow, but it’s important not to cause bruising which can lead to bleeding under the skin. If Venom is spat in to a person’s eyes use any liquid available, preferably a neutral one such as water or milk – but anything at all will do, to flush out the eye.

Do's and Don'ts of Treating Snake Bite

Symptoms usually manifest soon after a snake bite, so observing the victim is extremely important.

If no symptoms have occurred within half an hour of the bite then indications would be that it was not a venomous snake, it failed to inject any venom or the snake was very old and had little or no venom left.

Do

• Try to identify the snake; color, size, shape of head, attacking method are useful. Take a picture with mobile if feasible but don't chase the snake.
• Loosen the Victim’s clothing and move them in to comfort.
• Keep the victim calm and still; movement will increase blood flow and transport the venom to the heart much faster.
• Immobilize the limb but do NOT restrict blood flow unless you are certain the bite was from a snake that delivers neurotoxic venom.
• Clean  and dress the wound being careful not to apply pressure and cause bruising.
• Inform the trip lead/support IMMEDIATELY so that he/she can manage a exit quickly to the tarmac.

Do Not

• While there can be differences of opinion as to what we should do for snake bites the consensus of opinion as to what not to do is reasonably consistent:
• Allow the victim to exercise or stress themselves.
• Cut the bite or attempt to suck the venom out.
• Give the victim anything to eat or drink especially alcohol.
• Use potassium permanganate crystals or solution near or on the bite wound.
• Use soapy water round the bite wound.
• Leave pressure bandages on too long.
• Leave the victim alone.
• Apply ice to the wound.
• Soak the affected limb in any solutions.

 

How to avoid this extremely rare occurrence in the desert on Night drives

1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk

2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 

3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any .

4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes. Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed.

 

SCORPIONS:

Scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. There are about 25 species of scorpion in the UAE, two of which are known to release venom that can lead to nausea, shock and irregular heartbeat.

1. Fat Tailed Scorpion - large and Black

 

2. Deathstalker - Smaller (about 5 cm) and Yellow in color - More Dangerous 

Signs and symptoms at the site of a scorpion sting may include:

• Pain, which can be intense
• Numbness and tingling
• Slight swelling
• Warmth

What to Do in case of a bite

Identify if possible , or take a picture

Announce immediately for quicker exit 

 

How to avoid this occurrence in the desert on Night drives

1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk

2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 

3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any .

4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes . Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed.

 

 

 

[GauravSoni]

Thanks @Chaitanya D for this post. Informative and good to know the donts !

[Gregory]

@Chaitanya D thanks for this.... Pictures very helpful too. My 10 year old son was very interested to read the article too 😂🙏

[Shehab Alawadhi]

Also would be nice to note. Be careful of fire ants, centipedes, spiders specifically the camel spider (their venom doesn’t do anything to us but will leave a nasty infection) 

I found a website which actually has which explains the wilderness of the UAE (plants, animals and insects. The mentioned instructs can be found there and explained in more detail) 

https://www.ddcr.org/en/index.aspx

@Gregory I think your son would enjoy reading on this website. 
 

Edited June 22, 2021 by Shehab Alawadhi

[dune jockey]

1 hour ago, Shehab Alawadhi said:

Also would be nice to note. Be careful of fire ants, centipedes, spiders specifically the camel spider (their venom doesn’t do anything to us but will leave a nasty infection) 

I found a website which actually has which explains the wilderness of the UAE (plants, animals and insects. The mentioned instructs can be found there and explained in more detail) 

https://www.ddcr.org/en/index.aspx

@Gregory I think your son would enjoy reading on this website. 
 

Thanks @Shehab Alawadhi for adding more information and the website link. Always nice to improve on what we know 

[Shehab Alawadhi]

4 hours ago, Chaitanya D said:

Thanks @Shehab Alawadhi for adding more information and the website link. Always nice to improve on what we know 

My pleasure

[Mario Cornejo]

@Chaitanya D a saw scaled viper spotted this morning in Al Qudra by someone who goes there a lot.  This person often shares images of the fauna he comes across with, snakes are not frequent in his posts which makes this an interesting one:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgPw3apSdS/

... on a side note it looks like the killer ants don't mind getting close to these vipers 😆

 

[dune jockey]

4 hours ago, Mario Cornejo said:

@Chaitanya D a saw scaled viper spotted this morning in Al Qudra by someone who goes there a lot.  This person often shares images of the fauna he comes across with, snakes are not frequent in his posts which makes this an interesting one:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgPw3apSdS/

... on a side note it looks like the killer ants don't mind getting close to these vipers 😆

 

Goes to tell you all to be extremely watchful when around the bushes in desert. Thanks @Mario Cornejo for sharing

Wearing fully covered shoes  (protective) and full pants helps .

Flip flops and sandals are a clear no

[Danish Mohammad]

Thank you @Chaitanya D for this very useful information, it will keep all of us safe. 

[Christopher Assal]

We went out in Qudra the other night for dinner, had a cook up, and I was shocked at the amount of critters I saw. Spiders , scorpions I know we are in their home but I just didn’t think about it or seeing them in those numbers. This was at sunset by 11pm the movement seemed to die down a bit. Boots not trainers next time! Trousers not shorts ! More lights so I can see where I’m stepping! 😂