Posted on 06/13/2016 7:13:31 PM PDT by Gamecock
COLUMBIA, SC A Columbia-area conservationist died after suffering a snake bite at a Clarendon County wildlife preserve over the weekend.
Wayne M. Grooms, a 71-year-old West Columbia resident, was a Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation district commissioner who was locally well regarded for his knowledge of the natural world.
A rattlesnake bit Grooms late Sunday afternoon while he was visiting Santee National Wildlife Refuge, according to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office. Grooms died within 15 minutes of the snake bite, but a cause of death has not been determined.
Grooms had a medical condition and an autopsy is to be performed Tuesday at the Medical University of South Carolina, Coroner Hayes Samuels said, declining to disclose the condition.
If it is determined that Grooms died from a snakebite, it would be highly unusual. Only about a half-dozen people are killed nationally each year after being struck by venomous snakes. Samuels said his office rarely has had a call like the one it took Sunday afternoon.
Samuels said the rattler struck Grooms as he was making his way to Lake Marion with a friend in the Cuddo section of the wildlife preserve. After the snake struck Grooms on the lower left leg, the friend tried to help him to the car, but he collapsed and died about 3:55 p.m., Samuels said.
The area of the wildlife refuge where the incident occurred is known as Alligator Alley. It is about seven miles south of Summerton and four miles north of Santee. The Santee National Wildlife Refuge is a 13,000-acre federal preserve established in 1941.The property is southeast of Columbia below Interstate 95.
Grooms, who was born in Australia, was a Vietnam veteran and former employee with Commercial Mass Metals, according to the Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation District and Grooms’ Facebook page. He studied at the University of South Carolina. Two years ago, he was elected to the conservation district board after volunteering with the organization for several years, according to the district.
“I was devastated; this was just so unexpected,’’ said Tina Blum, administrative assistant with the Soil and Water Conservation District. “Wayne was a good guy all around.’’
Kathy Hensley, a soil and water conservation commissioner with Grooms, said he volunteered at the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve in Lexington County and was a self-taught naturalist. Every year, he volunteered to speak at schools on Arbor Day and planted trees with the children, she said. Grooms leaves behind a wife and son, she said.
Grooms’ Facebook page was filled Monday with tributes of his life.
“Wayne was a long-time friend of mine and he just filled a void on the conservation district board,’’ Hensley said. “His knowledge about botany and the natural world was just phenomenal.’’
Snake bite response
Most snakes are not venomous and relatively few people die from snake bites. For anyone who is bitten by a venomous snake, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD recommend the following:
-- Move beyond the snake’s striking distance
-- Clean the wound, but do not flush with water.
-- Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing
-- Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol, which can speed up the rate at which the body absorbs venom
-- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
-- Take note of the type of snake so that a description can be provided to medical staff
Man, if I’d seen two nasty slitherin’ things I’d still be washing soiled raiments. Snake Shot, fully approve as long as the result is dead snake.
they are fairly common around here but not like some places. I might see two or three in a year. This one was killed by my dog in my yard.
I have read that places in the American South West have so many sidewinders that you will see them daily. The Florida subspecies of the Eastern Diamondback is the largest (heaviest) snake in North America.
When we lived in the country I killed a copperhead a week and we lived there for 16 years. I was raising 3 children so I had to keep them safe. That is when I Learned to hate snakes
I think I remember that too.
Snake, snake.....Make me your brother.....Ffffttttt! Owwwwww!! WTF !!
Impressive ..... met a bunch of those “charlie no shoulders” on the avon park bombing range doing uxo clearances ....... wore snake chaps and snake boots but it still scared the crap out of me when they struck. Was like getting whacked with a ax handle....
Just so. This is why I live in Minnesota.
“Doc says you’re gonna die.”
“— Move beyond the snake’s striking distance
— Clean the wound, but do not flush with water.
— Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing
— Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol, which can speed up the rate at which the body absorbs venom
— Seek medical attention as soon as possible
— Take note of the type of snake so that a description can be provided to medical staff”
WRONG!!!!
Kill or catch the little bastard so it will not be a danger while you are doing first aid.
Suck out the poison all you can.
A light constriction band above it, NOT a tourniquet.
Take a photo and tweet it if you have a signal.
A shot of medicinal whiskey will take the edge off... panic can kill!
Go to the hospital in a manner that will not further kill you. So do not drive like a jackass. No matter how fast you get there, they will put you in a room and observe you for many hours to see if you will need antivenom.
When friends arrive to check on you pretend you do not recognize them
Oh, and don’t forget to take the snake with you to the ER, live or dead. In a shop bucket preferably. Make sure you retain ownership rights to the snake.
**** “Sounds like his underlying medical condition might have had something to do with his death” ****
At his age, Running 20’ uphill without being bit could have killed him ... toss in extreme pain and a snake hanging on to him... results may vary... but not far.
I collected a Rabbit once with No Bullet Hole ... I scared it to death ... stress can and does kill.
JMHO
Most rattle snake bites are dry bites, the snake does not waste venom on a back off bite. Even if venom was involved it would be unusual to kill a full grown adult, and very unusual to do so that fast. The cause of death is not known here. I would guess a heart condition or something similar.
Crikey!!!
Har! We did that one as a skit at a boy scout court of honor 40 years ago.
When the joke's old enough that everybody knows it, all you need to say is the punchline. :=)
Love that picture. You’ve posted it before. I can’t get enough of it. It’s just...... WOW.
Copperheads are like second to Water Moccasin when it comes to “Kill me First”
Rattlesnakes aren’t mean on purpose, they just hide very well and “situations arise”
Never had a Rattler chase me, Cotton Mouths and Copperheads, yep they Will chase you and DO (and they can be fast).
Coral Snakes are the most poisonous and they are just small so you don’t know that they are there even though they are brightly colored ... largest one I have ever seen was all of 14”
I lived in an area with so many of them I simply leapt backwards without thinking at the first shake of a rattle. This was pretty reliable until I ran into the 1/100 rattler that pursued me regardless of my retreat. I was lucky to nail him without getting bit. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing.
Not so long ago I opened an electrical box on an abandoned property unknowing it was a giant wasp’s nest inside. Thankfully that old reflex was still there. An interesting moment where I could see a cloud of wasps before my eyes actually straining to catch up with me as I literally ran backwards, before twisting around into forward motion and higher gear. Luckily they gave up the chase after 50 yards or so, a bear can move quickly but only for short distsnces ;)
**** “Doc says you’re gonna die.” ****
And THAT JOKE worked before Cellphones were even thought of!
That is a True CLASSIC
*** “ wasp’s” ****
For some reason they always seem to go for my eyes ... therefore I always get hit in the nose or cheek, either of which immediately blinds me and I start sneezing while I run blindly in what ever direction I was pointed at the time.
Then I come back and kill them (from a distance)
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