During Survivor 49, a truly shocking series of events played out that reminded fans about a fact that can be easy to forget. Since the show can go several seasons in a row without any serious medical issues, viewers will often forget that players are taking a huge risk when they agree to compete on Survivor. While the show's producers try to teach players how to be safe, the truth is that living in nature on a tropical island with a wide array of wildlife for days is a dangerous thing to do.
During Survivor 49 episode 3, "Loveable Losers," the truth of how dangerous competing on the show can be came into terrifying focus. As the season seemed to be playing out in the typical fashion, a remarkable player suddenly fell victim to the dangers of human beings encroaching on the natural habitats of dangerous animals. As terrifying as the situation was, the most shocking part of what happened is that the medical emergency had a heartwarming happy ending.
Jake Latmier's horrific snake bite saved him from missing one of the biggest moments of his life
During the first two episodes of Survivor 49, the show's fans were introduced to Jake Latimer, the lovable shoe bandit. After all, Jake's antics were goofy and mischievous, and the huge smile he often sported on the island was infectious. Sadly, however, what happened to Jake during the third episode wiped that smile away as he was even facing the possibility of death.
During the episode, fans saw Jake get bitten by a sea krait, which is a kind of snake. According to the BBC's Discover Wildlife Magazine, sea kraits have extremely potent venom, which is a neurotoxin. The venom can cause "neurological symptoms including fits, paralysis, cardiac failure and – sometimes – death."
After Jake was bitten, Survivor's medical team took quick action by transporting him to a medical center near where the show is filmed. Once there, Jake was administered oxygen and evaluated by doctors who thankfully concluded that he'd received a "dry bite."
What that means is that the snake didn't inject its venom into Jake, which saved him from the worst possible consequences of the terrifying situation. Still, Survivor's medical team pulled Jake from the game to protect him from any possible complications and due to the stress his body had been put through.
Of course, the fact that Jake recieved a "dry bite" could have been enough of a happy ending for the Survivor player, given the incredibly frightening alternative.
The horrible situation Jake found himself in had a much bigger silver lining than that. When Jake left to compete during Survivor 49, he left behind his wife, who was so pregnant that he was destined to miss his child's birth.
However, after the snake bite, Jake returned home far earlier than he otherwise would have, and he witnessed the moment he became a father first-hand. The crazy series of events that led to Jake being there for the birth of his child has another happy ending. Jake's child will always have a mind-blowing story to tell.
Stay tuned for more news about Jake's experience on Survivor 49!