BORDER WATCH (Mount Gambier, Australia) 09 December 13 Snakes at lakes prompts warning (Brett Kennedy)
South East residents are being warned to remain vigilant as the weather heats up and snakes become more active in gardens, parks and bushland around the region.
With summer now underway, last year's total of 43 reported snake bites has already been surpassed with five recorded in the first six days of November statewide.
While the Blue Lake and Valley Lake areas provide both a picturesque and challenging setting for those testing their fitness, it also doubles as a home for some of the world's most dangerous reptiles.
Most sightings are spread through word of mouth, however a number of close encounters have also been aired through social networking sites, including one frightening incident for Mount Gambier resident Kevin Opperman.
Mr Opperman has been a regular user of the Crater Lakes trails over the past few years, but had never seen a snake on his travels.
That all changed on a recent Saturday morning when Mr Opperman had two snakes cross his path within 30 metres of one another.
"The first one was black in colour, but I didn't really get a good look at it," he said.
"I only saw the end half of it before it disappeared into the bushes."
Mr Opperman said he was running along the thin trail between the Valley Lake and Leg of Mutton lake when he encountered the reptiles.
"The second one wasn't that far after the first and it just slithered out right in front of me across the path," he said.
"It was brown and a fair size - I just leaped over it and kept running."
While he has vowed to stick to his regular circuit, Mr Opperman said he would be more aware of what could be nestled in the scrub.
State-wide, the highest number of bites for any month in the last two years was eight, which occurred in December last year and again in February and March this year.
With November to March being the most dangerous period, SA Ambulance Service Intensive Care paramedic Simon Leonard urged people to be wary when outdoors.
"Of the 47 bites so far this year, the highest number has been in country areas," Mr Leonard said.
This included one earlier in the year in Nangwarry.
Mr Leonard said there were simple, lifesaving tips to follow if someone nearby was bitten.
"Keep the victim and especially any bitten limb as still as possible and call triple zero for expert emergency medical assistance," he said.
SA Ambulance Service also advised people to have a snake bite plan and treat all snake bites as potentially serious.
In the case of a snake bite, the patient should be kept still and a firm bandage should quickly be applied along the whole bitten limb.
"Firm bandaging along the entire length of the limb, including over the bite site, and keeping the limb as still as possible delays movement of the venom into the bloodstream," Mr Leonard said.
"If people don't have a bandage available, items of clothing can be used to apply pressure over the bite site and limb.
"Use any cloth material that is capable of applying a firm and even compressing force over the bite area and limb."
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