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Zak Brown had to paddle for approximately two hours after being bitten by a European viper and received antivenom at a hospital in Cambridge.
A stand-up paddle outing ended in a serious scare for Zak Brown, 39, in England.
Brown, father of two, was making the journey accompanied by a friend when he decided to pause the activity for a few minutes.
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The pause occurred at the riverbank, in an area surrounded by grass and vegetation.
The businessman got off the board and walked around the area without noticing a young viper hidden on the ground.
The animal was accidentally stepped on and bit Brown’s left ankle.
The pain was described as immediate, intense, and similar to a severe burn.
Viper bite caused rapid swelling
The return to the vehicle became the most difficult part of the episode.
Brown and his friend were in a region with limited access and had to paddle for approximately two hours.
The swelling began about 30 minutes after the bite, according to a report released by People.
The pain quickly spread through the affected limb and prevented Brown from putting weight on the leg.
The businessman lost the ability to walk and needed help to move.
The volume of the swelling was notable for its intensity.
Brown stated that the leg looked like an “elephant leg”.
The main symptoms presented were:
- Intense pain in the ankle;
- Sensation similar to a burn;
- Rapid swelling in the foot and calf;
- Difficulty supporting the limb;
- Inability to walk.
Antivenom was administered at the hospital
Brown was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after leaving the reserve.
The doctors found that the swelling had already affected practically the entire leg.
A dose of antivenom serum was administered to combat the effects of the venom.
The patient remained hospitalized overnight for clinical monitoring.
Hospital discharge was granted the following day, after the condition improved.
The professionals reported that the young age of the snake may have reduced the severity of the incident.
A bite from an adult specimen could cause even more severe consequences.
European viper is the only native venomous snake in the UK
The common European viper is the only venomous snake naturally found in Britain.
The species usually lives in heaths, woodlands, dunes, peat bogs, and grasslands.
Some specimens can reach up to one meter in length.
The bite causes intense pain and can lead to significant symptoms.
Fatal cases, however, are considered rare among healthy adults.
The last recorded death in the UK occurred in 1975, according to the information cited in the report.
The victim was a five-year-old boy bitten in Scotland.
The species usually avoids contact with humans.
Attacks usually happen when the animal is stepped on or feels threatened.
Population decline worries researchers
The conservation of the viper also concerns British specialists.
The species’ populations have been declining in different regions of Britain.
The loss of natural habitats is among the main threats.
Predation by pheasants is also pointed out as a risk factor.
Millions of these birds are introduced annually into the British countryside for hunting activities.
Adult vipers and hatchlings can be captured by pheasants, according to researchers cited in the report.
The disappearance of the species in some areas could occur in the coming decades if the decline continues.
Accident changed precautions during outdoor activities
Brown continued engaging in activities in natural environments after recovery.
The entrepreneur, however, began to observe the ground with much more attention.
Areas with tall grass and dense vegetation receive extra care since the accident.
The experience showed how a simple step off the board can end in a medical emergency.
Would you continue engaging in outdoor activities after an experience like this? Share your opinion.
