by Chris Ryan
Although man and elephant can work together – elephants are often used to carry people on their backs and Alpha Force begin to make friends with Moya and the other elephants in the reserve – elephants can be dangerous. One reason is because their eyesight is bad. Always stay upwind of them because if they smell or hear you they'll panic and attack. When I was in the regiment I lost two mates when elephants smelled us in our laying-up point and charged. They trampled everything that was in their way; nothing stopped them.
Oddly enough, it's the same tactic the army use when caught in an ambush – turn and attack with maximum aggression.
Buffalo
If you find buffalo tracks or droppings, steer clear. If you get close enough to see them, back away immediately. Buffalo are very dangerous and cunning, even in herds. The whole herd is controlled by a couple of massive bulls – a lead scout and a tail-end charlie. If they feel threatened they can turn the entire mass of animals onto you – even at a flat-out gallop. And if you ever come across a buffalo on its own, move away fast as it will charge. They're so strong that they can gore a lion to death with a single toss of their horns.
Harmless-looking?
It's not just the big animals you have to worry about. Even the harmless-looking antelopes could give you a nasty injury. Thompson's gazelle, which is less than a metre high and looks like Bambi, has small, dagger-like horns that it uses in battles over territory – and it will not hesitate to battle with you if you wander into its patch.
And man, of course
It's often said that the biggest danger to the animals in Africa is man. Man can also be the biggest threat to you, too: another real hazard in Africa is poachers. They all carry weapons and they shoot to kill. Avoid them at all costs.
SNAKES
In addition to the large animals that live in Africa, there are a lot of smaller creatures to be careful of – insects, spiders and, especially, snakes.
Top tips for dealing with snakes!
Snakes are usually as keen to avoid you as you are to avoid them. When I was filming in Botswana, a snake-handler gave us a demonstration: even the most aggressive ones would slither harmlessly over your foot if you just stood quietly. Often you don't even realize a snake is there until you hear it move away. The key is not to disturb them. If you see a snake, the best thing to do is simply stand still and let it go on its way, then proceed as normal.
It's a good idea to wear sturdy boots, thick socks and long trousers if you're in an area where snakes are found. Long sleeves are a good idea too and they'll also protect you from insect bites – some insects, such as mosquitoes, can carry nasty diseases.
If you're about to step into shade, look around carefully, or if it's dark, shine a torch on the ground. If you step over a log, look carefully at the other side before you put your feet down.
If you're searching the ground around fallen trees, stones or thick grass, don't do it with your hands – use a long pole or branch.
Never try to pick up a snake or gather all your friends to show them what you've found. When I was in Honduras making Hunting Chris Ryan, I called the crew over to look at an extremely venomous Fer de Lance snake I'd found in the bathroom. Big mistake. When all those people gathered around it, it attacked blindingly fast. It moved five metres in the blink of an eye. Fortunately the guide came to our rescue, but he wouldn't have had to if I'd left it alone.
Be especially careful in the early morning. Snakes will be sluggish then because the temperature is cooler, and if you take them by surprise they won't be able to move away as quickly, so they might attack. This is why most snake attacks happen – or because someone prodded one.
Some snakes spit venom. If it gets in open cuts or in your eyes you must wash it out thoroughly and immediately. Use any liquid that comes to hand – even urine.
If you need to kill a snake, break its back by whacking it with a long, heavy stick, as close as possible to the head. Make sure you hit it really hard – a wounded snake is very dangerous.
You may also come across poisonous scorpions and spiders in Africa. If you are camping, they may find their way into your boots – so shake them out before you put them on in the morning!
FIRST AID
All members of the SAS are trained in field first aid and carry a medical kit so that we can deal with injuries on operations. First-aid skills are always valuable and any expedition into a situation of potential danger should include at least one person with some medical skills. Everyone, however, should know how to deal with basic injuries, so why not try and take a few classes locally so that you can offer basic skills yourself?
Bites
Although if you're careful the chances of being bitten by an animal are small, it's as well to know what to do if it does happen. All bites, even from animals that do not carry venom, can cause nasty infections from bacteria in the animal's mouth, and cats, canines and apes may carry rabies and tetanus.
If someone is bitten, get them to hospital immediately – even minor-looking bites can be very serious; if that isn't possible, you should give the appropriate first aid, keep the victim calm and aim to get them further medical help as soon as possible. Wash the wound with soap and water to remove any dirt and saliva. Check that they are breathing OK and be ready to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Do not give them anything containing alcohol or tobacco to help them get over the shock, but be prepared to deal with symptoms of shock (see below).
If you have been bitten by a snake, scorpion or spider, it is very important to stay calm: any venom in the bloodstream will travel round faster if the victim panics. Don't try to suck the wound to get the venom out – you may poison yourself, and in any case, some may have already entered the victim's bloodstream. Never try to cut out venom either; you'll definitely drive it further into the system. And if you touch the area yourself, be very careful not to transfer the venom; don't touch your own eyes, mouth or anywhere else without washing your hands thoroughly.
Many snakebites (and bites from spiders and some insects) are treated with specific antivenoms; the most common of these will almost certainly be kept at local medical centres – often in safari camps themselves for emergency use. For example, when Patrick finds the injured poacher by the roadside, he calls the medical services and is instructed to give the man an adrenaline injection from supplies kept at the camp.
It is always useful if you can identify the snake or insect that has injected the venom. If possible – and without risk to yourself – kill the snake; if you can't, try to remember the identifying features as clearly as possible: this information could save a life as doctors can administer the correct antivenom promptly. If washing the venom out, try to keep a sample on the cloth you used, as doctors may also be able to analyse any venom to identify what antidote to give.
Whatever the bite was caused by, keep the wound covered, but check for redness, heat and swelling – this indicates infection. If infection occurs, keep the wound uncovered and clean with soap.
Any signs of poisoning will usually appear within two hours. Signs to watch for include bleeding from the nose or other orifices, blood in the urine, breathing difficulty, paralysis, twitching and numbness.
Wounds
Major wounds that are bleeding heavily will clearly need medical attention as soon as possible. An average person has just over six litres of blood circulating in their body. If you lose about half a litre, you feel a bit faint (this is why blood donors have to lie down for a short time after donating blood), but losing as much as a litre and a half could cause collapse; more than this could lead to death. Bleeding can often be stopped by simply applying pressure over the point of blood loss. Use the cleanest material available, press over the wound and keep the pressure on for five to ten minutes before bandaging the dressing in place.
If the bleeding is arterial – pumping out at the same rate as the victim's pulse – you may need to apply a tourniquet as Alpha Force do to Tessa's leg. A tourniquet should only ever be applied to a limb – on t
he upper arm, just below the armpit, or around the top part of a thigh. However, it is very important that you know what you are doing with a tourniquet: the pressure must be released at regular intervals if the limb is to be saved. This is an instance where there is no substitute for training.
Shock
Shock can kill. The initial shock to the system can cause the blood pressure to drop rapidly, and the victim may look in a state of collapse, with cold, sweaty skin, a feeble but rapid pulse and shakiness. Delayed shock can occur after an injury too. The most important thing to remember is to appear calm and in control of the situation – just holding someone's hand can help a great deal and rest will be essential. Loosen any tight clothing and, if possible, let the person lie down flat with their legs raised slightly.
BE SAFE!
Random House Children's Books and Chris Ryan would like to make it clear that this advice is given for use in a serious situation only, where your life could be at risk. We cannot accept any liability for inappropriate usage in normal conditions.
About the Author
Chris Ryan joined me SAS in 1984 and has been involved in numerous operations with the regiment. During the Gulf War, he was the only member of an eight-man team to escape from Iraq, three colleagues being killed and four captured. It was the longest escape and evasion in the history of the SAS For this he was awarded the Military Medal. He wrote about his remarkable escape in the adult bestseller The One That Got Away (1995), which was also adapted for screen.
He left the SAS in 1994 and is now the author of a number of bestselling thrillers for adutes. His work in security takee him around the world and he has also appeared in a number of television series, most recently Hunting Chris Ryan, in which his escape and evasion skills were demonstrated to the max. The Alpha Force titles are his first books for young readers.
If you enjoyed this book, you might like to read the first Alpha Force adventure:
ALPHA FORCE
Mission: Survival
SURVIVAL
Alex, Li, Paulo, Hex and Amber are five teenagers on board a sailing ship crewed by young people from all over the world. Together they are marooned on a desert island. And together they must face the ultimate test – survival! Battling against unbelievable dangers – from killer komodo dragons to sharks and modern-day pirates – the five must combine all their knowledge and skills if they are to stay alive.
The team – Alpha Force – is born . . .
ISBN 0 099 43924 7
If you enjoyed this book look out for others in the series:
ALPHA FORCE
Target: Child-Slavers
DESERT PURSUIT
Alpha Force are a unique group of five individuals, each with special skills, each ready to go anywhere in the world to help others in need. Undercover, they head for the Sahara Desert, resolved to gather evidence of young landmine victims. But they are catapulted into a desperate race across the desert when they discover a terrible evil – a gang of child-slavers operating in the area.
The team is in pursuit . . .
ISBN 0 099 43926 3
If you enjoyed this book look out for others in the series:
ALPHA FORCE
Target: Toxic Waste
HOSTAGE
Alpha Force are five teenagers who have formed a highly-skilled squad to help in the international fight against evil. Flying to Northern Canada to investigate reports of illegal dumping of toxic waste, the team must dive into an icy river, cross the harsh landscape on snowmobiles and mobilize their caving skills to complete their mission. But they need all their courage and determination when they come face-to-face with a man who is ready to kill – or take a hostage – to stop them.
The team face their toughest challenge yet . . .
ISBN 0 099 43927 1
If you enjoyed this book look out for others in the series:
ALPHA FORCE
Target: Terrorist Hostage Taker
RED CENTRE
The five members of Alpha Force train hard and are prepared to go anywhere in the world to combat injustice. Recruited to help on a survival show in Australia, they are suddenly thrust into a terrifying ordeal when a hunted terrorist takes desperate measures to escape capture. Alongside the Australian SAS, Alpha Force must act quickly to save lives – even if it means facing the terrifying heat of an out-of-control bushfire . . .
ISBN 0 099 46424 1
