By Andy Pruter. Owner and Operator of Everyday Adventures in Matapalo, on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Everyday Adventures has been providing exciting heart thumping tours to Iguana Lodge’s guest for over 12 years.
“Carlos came walking down the trail swearing at himself for being so stupid, so blind. Walking next to him was my lead guide, Scrappy and 3 tourists. They all had a look of consternation, to say the least.
Carlos is a well respected professional Costa Rican guide that works for a local hotel in Matapalo. He had just made one of those mistakes that he never makes. Not looking before he placed he his hands, Carlos had been bitten by a poisonous snake, a Fer-de-lance.
Mating Season. Pair of Fer de Lance snakes in Matapalo. These are big ones about 5 feet long. Photo by our wonderful Iguana Lodge guest, Lisa Ayers
When informed that Carlos had been bitten, I immediately told them to call our home to begin an evacuation plan. Imagine my sense of pride and relief when seconds later my wife, Terry, pulled up on the quad having been forewarned via VHF radio, and loaded up the unfortunate victim, ushering him toward medical assistance. While Fer-de-lance bites are dangerous, they are rarely fatal. Fortunately for Carlos after 10 days in the hospital he is fully recovered and is back guiding for the local hotel.
Andy Pruter with his wife Terry and their son Talon and a local boa. As a biologist one of Andy’s fascinations is with the local snakes.
The Osa Peninsula is the real thing. It is a jungle with incredible beauty, exotic animals and flora and attendant dangers. It can get heavy really fast out out in the rainforest and if you own and operate a company that prides itself on the motto… “Muddy, bloody, bruised and sweaty,” you best be prepared. From snakebites to sutures to trauma, we are prepared to deal with the unexpected. Our guides are certified in wilderness first responder, CPR, and basic ropes and rescue. The best way to avoid misfortunes is to anticipate them by using caution, experience and common sense. On our tours we see so many different sights of interest but stop and look to avoid creatures underfoot or uneven terrain. When climbing 300 year old strangler figs or rappelling over 100′ waterfalls, checklists have been reviewed and safety logs completed before putting anyone in a harness. Guides always go first to ensure no loose rocks or limbs are in the staging area or that water flow isn’t too extreme.”
You can contact Andy at his website or on facebook.
