Public Course Info
Our courses are presented by Johan Marais, Luke Kemp, Tim Vorster, Sake van Wyk or Tim Brammer.
Johan Marais is the CEO of the African Snakebite Institute and is one of Africa’s leading herpetologists, with over 45 years of experience. Johan is the most prominent author of snake books in Africa and has written the best-sellers – A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa, Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa and First Aid for Snakebite, to mention just a few. Johan regularly contributes to scientific papers and has been a reptile photographer for many years – with one of the largest herpetological image collections in Africa.
Luke Kemp is a keen herpetologist and photographer who has been working for the African Snakebite Institute for more than six years. In addition to presenting courses throughout Africa, Luke develops much of the ASI course material and does the identification of snakes from all over Africa on the ASI App. He is also co-authoring a new a book with Johan on the Reptiles & Amphibians of southern Africa.
Tim Vorster is based in the Western Cape and has been assisting the African Snakebite Institute for many years with public courses, kids courses and more recently, corporate training. Tim has been a snake enthusiast since his youth and presented thousands of awareness sessions throughout Southern Africa.
Sake van Wyk has been associated with the African Snakebite Institute for many years and has been trained by Johan Marais. He has presented snake awareness, first aid for snakebite and venomous snake handling training to various companies and institutions throughout South Africa. He is a keen herpetologist, an avid reptile photographer and assists with snake identifications and graphic design for our educational content.
Tim Brammer is an avid herpetologist who has been based in Malawi for the last few years, where he started presenting snake awareness and handling sessions. He also developed identification posters for the country and is working on a book of snakes of Malawi. Tim is a keen reptile photographer and assists on field surveys in various African countries, when possible.
Our Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling course is registered with the following bodies:
HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa) – registered health professionals earn 4 CPD points.
SAIOSH (South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) – registered participants receive 2 CPD points.
PCIPC (Pest Control Industry Professional Council) – registered members receive 3 CPD points when completing this course.
Our courses are accredited by the 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).
Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling
Our introductory snake awareness, first aid for snakebite and venomous snake handling course is our most popular course. The morning theory session covers snake awareness, behaviour, biology, identification, myths, first aid for snakebite, scorpion sting and spider bite and a discussion on the medical treatment of snakebite. In the handling session, delegates are taught safe protocols for catching and releasing venomous snakes using the correct equipment. Delegates do not make physical contact with venomous snakes.
Snake Handling Bootcamp
The next course in the range is our Snake Handling Bootcamp. This is a hands-on day of practical snake handling. Delegates are taken through the basics of catching and releasing venomous snakes, and are taught how to tail snakes (catching certain species by the tail and using a hook or snake tong), and then spend the rest of the day working their way through several snake removal scenarios.
Advanced Snake Handling
Delegates who have completed our Snake Awareness and Snake Handling Bootcamp can move onto our Advanced Snake Handling course. In this course, delegates are taught how to bag, probe, tail and neck venomous snakes. This course is popular with people who intend working with snakes professionally or who intend keeping venomous snakes.
Advanced First Aid for Snakebite
In our Advanced First Aid for Snakebite course we cover snake venoms and their effects, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and C.P.R., pressure immobilisation during which delegates will be taught how to apply the correct pressure and the use of a pocket mask and a bag valve mask. It is a hands-on course with various practical scenarios.
Reptile Photography course
Our reptile photography course covers: Equipment (cameras, lenses, flash, tripods, memory cards), theory (speed, depth of field, ISO) composition (background and focal points) lights and lighting (artificial and available light, flashes, diffusers) macro photography and equipment, Photoshop and Lightroom, archiving images, and tricks of the trade. A practical session follows the theoretical session.
