I worked for several years in a summer camp that is located off of the Appalacian Trail (AT) in western NJ and one of our weekly activities was to take our kids on a weekly hike, normally on the AT. We invite parents along on these hikes to provide extra adult supervision and to allow for some quality father/son time. Before each hike we go over your basic safety items, including how to minimize the danger of encountering poisonous snakes and provide instruction on what to do when you encounter one (DON'T GO NEAR IT).

One year we had a father who felt that with he knew more about the woods than any one else (including myself with an Environmental Science Degree)and that he was the most superb woodsman that northeastern NJ (all suburban area) has ever produced. He was continually and loudly stating his "facts" none of which were true) to the children while in camp and was asked on several occasions not to do so as they were blatent and shameless Bull____.

One of the camp counselors took this gentleman on a hike to AT and decided to take a rest on an open field before continuing on. One of the children encountered a rattlesnake and the counselor started moving the children away from the snake. It was during this commotion that our woodsman friend decided this would be the most opportune time to show the kids the proper way to catch a rattlesnake barehanded (after all what can a little venomous snake possibly do to such a fine woodsman). The guy reached out to grab the snake, but the snake was quicker and bit him on the index finger.

Our friend (embarrassed by underestimating the snake) then refused to listen to the camp counselor and stay put well a runner went to camp and got help. Instead, he continued on the prescribe hike route to show his son and everyone else how tough he truly was. As soon as his heart began pumping, the venom began coursing through his veins and his arm was quickly swelling and turning all sorts of wonderful hues of red, blue, and black. Our hero continued on until he collapsed and was rescued by EMS. He was rushed to the hospital and give the proper antivenin serum. Unfortunately, the extra activity nearly cost him his arm. Tissue damage was so extensive that they nearly had to amputate his arm, luckily (for him and not future snakes) his arm was saved with a significant loss of mobility.

The woodsman was asked never to come back to camp. His son was allowed at any time. At least the campers got a wonderful lesson on what not to do with a snake and what happens when you don't listen to safety rules.

Submitted on 03/29/2006

Submitted by: Christopher De Carlo
Reference: Personal Account

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Don't you just LOVE working with insufferable know-it-alls who INSIST they know more than the guide/instructor? I thoroughly enjoyed this tale, Chris! Thanks for a good laugh! :-)

Sheryl said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Thanks, Chris, I enjoyed it too. Arrogance does seem to get it's comeuppance.

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