Did you say snake?
From the official Handbook of the United States Peace Corps. What it says that a Peace Corp volunteer has to do if he is attacked by an anaconda snake. The anaconda is the largest snake in the world. You might think it was the boa constrictor. The anaconda is in the family with the boa constrictor, but it is larger than that. The anaconda snake grows to be 35 feet long and can weigh about 400 pounds. For the volunteers that are assigned to the Amazon Jungle, there is a section in the Peace Corp Handbook on what to do if you are attacked by an anaconda snake. There are 10 steps here that you are supposed to follow:
1. If you are attacked by an anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than you are.
2. Lie flat on the ground. Put your arms tight against your sides, your legs tight together.
3. Tuck in your chin.
4. The snake will come and begin to nudge and begin to climb over your body.
5. Do not panic.
6. After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from the feet in, always from the feet in. Permit the snake to swallow your feet and ankles. Do not panic.
7. The snake will now begin to suck your legs into its body. You must lie perfectly still. This will take a long time.
8. When the snake reaches your knees, slowly and with as little movement as possible, reach down and take out your knife and very gently slide it between the edge of the snakes mouth and your leg. Then suddenly rip upwards severing the snake’s head.
9. Be sure to have your knife with you.
10. Be sure your knife is sharp.
Okay, now let’s contemplate what we have just read. WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!! First of all, who could get past step #1? Let’s face it. There are a lot of scary things in this world, but we have a Father who cares about everything that we care about. From the small things to the big things, He said he would never leave you or abandon you. I just hope this post helped you feel better about what you may be facing right now. At least we are not having to allow an anaconda swallow us up to our knees before we slit his throat so that we can back to volunteering in some remote jungle. Care to share?
