Protection against snakes, spiders and other dangers?

[slparker]

Just an addition to he first aid links above:don't wash the site- the site is swabbed when using the snake Venom detection kit.

[perfectlydark]

Hey guys, on this topic in relation to tarp camping, what do you guys do to keep spiders/snakes away at night? (Well mainly spiders)

[GPSGuided]

Hey guys, on this topic in relation to tarp camping, what do you guys do to keep spiders/snakes away at night? (Well mainly spiders)

Errr... Phial of Galadriel?

Seriously, I don't think anyone who is worried of spiders and other crawlers would tarp camp. The first thing my wife asked me when I bought our tent was, can an ant get in. Otherwise, insect repellent around the tarp would work.

[perfectlydark]

Its not worried as such, bit id prefer to not wake up with a funnel web on my face lol. Never tarp camped but am open to it (particularly in the warmer months). Repellant around the tarp was what I was thinking, just seeing if anyone had any other ideas that worked

[GPSGuided]

I tarp camped once in my life and that was enough. It wasn't the crawlers but the mosquitos that got me bad.

[perfectlydark]

Yeah I figured a mossie net for my head would take care of that (assuming staying snug in sleeping bag all night). Could be a bad assumption there

[GPSGuided]

Yeah I figured a mossie net for my head would take care of that (assuming staying snug in sleeping bag all night). Could be a bad assumption there

Then that should also cover for spiders and others if you set it up right.

[davidf]

The only tents I have ever owned are cheapies for basecamps.

Cheap light mozzie nets are readily available, I actually saw a treated one on the chemist the other day for about $30.

I hang to loft and dry gear over the tarp, not the ground before use.

Harden up and stop worrying.

[photohiker]

Finally, know how to treat snakebite. Some species are fatal within 20-45 minutes left untreated, but even a simple pressure bandage can extend this to 12 hours plus (enough time to seek medical treatment). http://www.avru.org/firstaid/firstaid_pib.html And carry a pressure bandage with you EVERY time you walk.

+1000

[perfectlydark]

Well thats constructive dave..the first part about the net anyway. We can have discussions about saving 50grams you would think a discussion about not being bitten by a spider might be worth talking about but hey lets focus on the real important stuff then..

[Son of a Beach]

Just an addition to he first aid links above:don't wash the site- the site is swabbed when using the snake Venom detection kit.

Depends on where you are. In Tasmania, there are only three species of snake and the same antivenin is used for all three.

[slparker]

True, but there's still no need to wash the site - unless you're curious to see what the effects of delaying the application of the pressure Immobilisation method are.

[davidf]

Well thats constructive dave..the first part about the net anyway. We can have discussions about saving 50grams you would think a discussion about not being bitten by a spider might be worth talking about but hey lets focus on the real important stuff then..

Hey no offense meant but I thought I was being constructive. Sleep still and the bed bugs don't bite, roll around and eric eastern brown will have his day. Don't leave sleeping gear laying about, includes shoes. Redbacks and funnel webs are ground dwellers mostly.

The odd bug and bite is part and parcel of a good time like broken bones. It happens.

[perfectlydark]

Sorry dave I did come off like a bit of a jerk there. Put it down to a bad day. My apologies:)
Yeah im not against the odd bug bite, ive been eaten alive by mozzies enough to let most things pass. Being bitten by something that requires medical attentiom im trying to avoid
Bullants sleep at night right? Goddamn ive never felt more pain in my life than after one of those

[Onestepmore]

Personally I'd always sleep inside a bug net of some sort, wether it's under a separate tarp, or part of a tent setup.
I put my shoes in with me as well.
Just too many creepy crawlies and bitey things in the bush. I like to sleep at night!

[Ellobuddha]

Havent been bitten and hope not too. Saw a tiger snake, we estimated between 4-5 feet on the weekend up near Thredbo and the tail end of a dark, quite thick snake heading into the undergrowth next to the track - dunno what that was.

Question - does everyone think trousers and gaiters would be strong enough to stop a bite. I wear the STS gaiters with the event fabric on the top section. I am hoping they sre thick enough.

[GPSGuided]

Logically I'd want to have gaiter/boot/trousers in fang's way than not. Not as if there are alternatives with CF or steel plated protection.

On a related, what's the best way to beat out snakes in front. I tend to use my walking poles to beat around in front but never know how sensitive they are and how quickly they'll move out. Should I walk faster or slower to match?

[icefest]

It makes me wonder if there is any truth in the saying that the first person scares the snake and the second gets bitten.

[MickyB]

On a related, what's the best way to beat out snakes in front. I tend to use my walking poles to beat around in front but never know how sensitive they are and how quickly they'll move out. Should I walk faster or slower to match?

I have often wondered the same thing. Looking forward to hearing answers/opions on this.

[GPSGuided]

It makes me wonder if there is any truth in the saying that the first person scares the snake and the second gets bitten.

And all along, I've been telling my wife that I am protecting her by walking in front and beating the bush. Little did she know...

[Overlandman]

It makes me wonder if there is any truth in the saying that the first person scares the snake and the second gets bitten.

Murphy's law
Its always the 3rd person who gets bitten

[Davekyn]

Learn about the temperament and habitual nature of these animals will do far more for you than a pair of $200.00 snake protectors will do. Talk about playing on peoples fears!

Breading seasons, sunning habits, active & inactive times (inactive being more a dangerous time), feeding habits, availability of prey - dry stints and so on, can determine just how much more aware one should be or not - plus and being aware of what is around, in front and under foot. If your out killing animals for the fun of it, then I hope you get bit!

[GPSGuided]

Learn about the temperament and habitual nature of these animals will do far more ... can determine just how much more aware one should be or not...

So after all that knowledge, how and what does one needs to do to become "aware"? What does "aware" mean in practice?

[LandSailor]

Learn about the temperament and habitual nature of these animals will do far more for you than a pair of $200.00 snake protectors will do. Talk about playing on peoples fears!

Breading seasons, sunning habits, active & inactive times (inactive being more a dangerous time), feeding habits, availability of prey - dry stints and so on, can determine just how much more aware one should be or not - plus and being aware of what is around, in front and under foot. If your out killing animals for the fun of it, then I hope you get bit!

Would be great to see some kind of comprehensive online resource for bushwalkers. Enter your walking location anywhere in Australia and it will give you the local species and all the above info (behaviour, micro-habitat, feeding style etc) with perhaps a particular emphasis on the current time of year. Perhaps some commentary from local NPWS rangers as well.

[neilmny]

Learn about the temperament and habitual nature of these animals will do far more for you than a pair of $200.00 snake protectors will do. Talk about playing on peoples fears! ......

Like the snake handler in Portland that got bitten by a Taipan. He had all the experience and knowledge too.

I'll wear my gaiters and watch my step thanks.

[headwerkn]

IMHO, gaiters are mandatory summertime gear here in Tasmania. Even relatively light ones are capable of deflecting a tiger snake's strike.

I used to get freaked out by them, but after several summers of highlands fly fishing, you come across snakes so often that now it isn't a big deal. Just try to spot them before you step on them, don't try to pick them up, and keep your tent etc. zipped up so don't inadvertantly cuddle up to one at night

Hey guys, on this topic in relation to tarp camping, what do you guys do to keep spiders/snakes away at night? (Well mainly spiders)

I have to say, if/when I ever attempt tarp tenting, it will be with a full fly insert. Keeping mozzies off me would be the primarly concern, but I like the idea of having my sleeping gear protected from bugs, ticks, leeches or reptiles who might like to hide in there.

Cheers, Ben.

[metastable]

While doing some research on snakebites etc for my kids, I came across this. Printed it out in A5, double-sided and laminated it for them to carry in their packs. http://www.venompatrol.org/downloads/AVCFA_Guide_2.pdf

[neilmny]

Thanks metastable.

[LandSailor]

A few more downloadable PDFs here:-

http://www.workingwithwildlife.com.au/d ... ble%20pdfs