are the experts afraid? - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

are the experts afraid?	Reply
by thenovice on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
i am only starting to get in my hours for a venomous permit, although it never shows through, i am often times afraid of handling a hot herp, i was wondering if trained professionals feel or used to feel nervous when starting to handle a snake with enough venom to kill you, if so, does it go away with time?

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by Chris_Harper on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
It's sort of like an electrician working with electricity, or an EOD working with explosives -- You never forget what the consequences could be, you just learn what the behaviors and limitations of the snakes are. I have one very large copperhead that is pretty laid back. I can loosen up a bit when I'm handling him, and I could realistically free handle him with minimal risk - HOWEVER, I wouldn't simply because I don't want that firecracker exploding in my hand - [a description of the pain of a bite]. I also have a canebrake rattlesnake that is probably my most dangerous snake. Easily offended and fully capable of dropping me. I don't take ANY chances with her. The bottom line is that you are a lot safer in the beginning if you ARE afraid of the snakes. A lot of people are way too cavalier in their handling, since they're thinking, "Hey, if I get bitten, I go to the hospital and get antivenom and that's all there is to it". The truth is that you can't always predict the outcome. There are a lot of people that will never realize just how close to dying they came. I know, because I consulted on their bites. Ask anyone that deals with snakebite and they'll tell you the same thing. Be careful and read everything you can. BW Smith's book is a good one to start with. ~CH

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by Chris_Harper on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Oh, by the way, the 2nd thing I really should say about this is that whoever is letting a 15 year old train with venomous snakes on their property is NUTS. If you get bitten, your family is in a wonderful position to sue their butts off. Besides that, I'm pretty sure there's an age limit on the Florida permit. ~CH

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by Cro on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Chris, being nerveous or somewhat afraid while working with venomous snakes is a good thing, as it will keep you alert and should keep you safer, as you are less likely to take chances or become complacent when handling venomous snakes. If you become fearless while working with venomous snakes, you become dangerous, not only to yourself, but to others around you. Good luck in working toward your permit. Best Regards JohnZ

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by LarryDFishel on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
I think of it as being like driving on the expressway in traffic. If you're not scared the first few times, you just don't appreciate the danger you're in. But as reacting to common situation becomes automatic you can focus on getting where you're going and watching out for surprises like the mattress flying off the truck in front of you the or cobra wrapping its tail around your wrist.

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by Cro on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
As far as an age limit on the Florida Venomous Reptile Permit, the regulations say that you have to be 18 to apply for a permit. This would seem to imply that you could get your hours of experience in before that age. Best Regards JohnZ

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by ALA_snake33 on July 28, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Chris: just to give you some idea of what kind of things can happen when you become too Comfortable with your Snakes. First off I worked 4 Great Years at a Small Zoo near my home, well I was removing a Naja (True Cobra) to Clean the Cage. Well, wile pulling Her out I tilted the Hook Slightly Upward, just so happened this One Day She decided to thrash around. To make a long story short, She thrashed so hard that She slid down the Hook and onto my Hand. Thankfully She never got me. Now, in this situation I should have never tilted the Hook up in the First place, that was my First Mistake. As for my other mistake, I should have never trusted such a Volatile Animal to do what She always done before. So you see that getting too Comfy can get you Hurt. A little Fear goes a long way in this hobby, just remember that. Sorry if I sound like some kind of Preacher here, but I would truly hate to see you get Hurt. ..........Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by Rob_Carmichael on July 29, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Many great points shared here. For me, I do remember quite vividly my earlier venomous experiences; my heart raced, my hairs stood up, and I was a bit scared...and that was with a copperhead! Over the years as a professional and hobbyist, I have honed my handling/management/husbandry skills when working with hots and while I don't have those same feelings as I did in the early days, I always have the utmost of respect for each and every venomous herp I work with ranging from a little twin spotted rattler to a 14' King Cobra who can raise himself to see me eye to eye or a 9' bushmaster charging at you full speed (okay, that still gets the heart pumping, the pulse elevated and a few hairs standing on end). When its time to work with venomous, I try to get completely focused on the task at hand. I tend to visualize exactly what I am going to do; particularly when I am working with fast moving elapids and some of our larger, more aggressive vipers. No distractions, clear mind, proper techniques, TONS of respect, never showboating or bragging and living a clean lifestyle all bode very well to avoiding mistakes. As a former professional baseball player, I sort of went through the same scenario before each at bat which helped to teach me the power of visualization....and a little prayer goes a long way too! Rob Carmichael, Curator The Wildlife Discovery Center

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by rthom on July 29, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
I think the appearence of being fearless is often the confidence level of the keeper.As with a previous post the example of an Explosives ordinance tech or an electrician working with high voltage.They may appear casual but they are totally focused on the task at hand.

RE: are the experts afraid?	Reply
by bothrops03 on July 29, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
I'm not 'afraid' while i'm handling my potentially lethal snakes. I think you MUST have RESPECT to them, but not to be afraid or feared. If you are afraid of them then it would be better not to have them. At least that's my humble opinion. Cheers, Bothrops03

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