Upcoming Course – Snake Handling Bootcamp – Western Cape – Butterfly World – 2021-08-22

This is a full-day course that starts at 09:30 sharp. Please arrive a few minutes earlier to enjoy the coffee and tea refreshments while the team signs you in.

We kick off with a brief theory session discussing the correct handling techniques, safe removal protocols, and the importance of crowd control.
We then move onto the practical session where we recap the practical experience taught in the Venomous Snake Handling course – the use of snake hooks, snake tongs, buckets, and tubes. Following the tea break at approximately 10:45, the various methods of hooking and tailing venomous snakes is demonstrated and
delegates practice these extensively. We break at 13:00 for a light lunch (provided), and we then top off the training with real-life removal scenarios.
Snakes used for the handling session vary but we usually make use of the following species: Puff Adder, Mole Snake, Cape Cobra and Boomslang.
The course usually concludes at around 16:00. Kindly note that these are suggested times and may vary.

The course starts at 09:30 am sharp.

We break for lunch at around 13:00 and snake handling takes place from around 14:00.00

The course usually finishes by 16:00 (suggested and not exact time)

1. Delegates doing the Venomous Snake Handling should wear long trousers and closed shoes and are advised to bring a hat.
2. The African Snakebite Institute will supply all equipment needed for delegates to use during the snake
   handling session (hooks, tongs, buckets, and tubes).

All course fees include coffee/tea refreshments and a light lunch.  The Venomous Snake Handling Bootcamp costs R 1 450.00 per person.

The full amount will have to be paid prior to the course to secure your attendance.

Cancellation policy: There are no cancellation fees for changes or cancellation to your booking 48 hours prior to the course date. For cancellations or changes within 48 hours of the course date, we charge a 50% cancellation fee and for non-attendance on the day of the course we charge a 100% cancellation fee.
Please note that, due to the practical nature of this course, space is limited.

Course bookings close three days before the event (unless fully booked prior to this). Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Each delegate will receive a certificate, a First Aid for Snakebite booklet as well as a Dangerous Snakes of Southern Africa poster.

Our minimum age requirement for this course is 14 years of age.

1. Prior attendance of an ASI Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling course is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to attend this course. Please forward a copy of your certificate to Bianca when making your booking.
2. No spectators are allowed during the indoor session, and this includes children. Spectators are welcome to watch the Venomous Snake Handling sessions from a safe distance but are not to interfere with the training in any way.
3. Mobile phones: The use of mobile phones for text messages and calls is not permitted during the awareness or handling courses and may only be left on for emergency calls.
4. Photographs that are taken by the ASI team during the course will be made available via Dropbox. Participants and spectators are also welcome to take photographs of the handling session but video recording is not permitted.
5. Our minimum age requirement for this course is 14 years of age.
6. Delegates that do the venomous snake handling will have to sign an indemnity prior to the practical session. Parents/guardians must sign for delegates under 18 years of age.
7. Should a delegate have any specific dietary requirements, they are welcome to bring their own lunch, or Butterfly World do have their own on-site restaurant.

Our courses are presented by Johan Marais, one of Africa’s leading herpetologists with over 40 years of experience. Johan is a prominent author of snake books in Africa and has written the best sellers A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa , Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa and First Aid for Snakebite. He is also the snake expert for the Tygerberg Poison Centre and the Red Cross Poison centre, as well as an advisor on snakes and snakebite to various hospitals and clinics throughout Africa.

Our courses are also presented by Luke Kemp, who graduated from Rhodes University with a BSc and Honours Degree and has been working for the African Snakebite Institute for the past four years. Luke is a passionate herpetologist, avid photographer, and has been presenting courses with Johan Marais not just in
South Africa, but elsewhere in Africa also. He currently runs the reptile Virtual Museum with ADU, Cape Town University and is co-authoring a book on the reptiles and amphibians of southern Africa with Johan Marais.

Our courses are FGASA endorsed and are accredited by ISZS (the International Society of Zoological Sciences) and recognised by the AFGA (African Field Guides Association) and the NFTGA (National Federation of Tourist Guides & Affiliates).This course is registered with both the Health Professions Council of South Africa , and registered health professionals earn 4 CPD points, and the PCIPC (Pest Control Industry Professional Council) and registered members receive 3 CPD points when completing this course.