Access Professional Development

Access Professional Development Paramedic-led real-world training for snakebite emergencies in high-risk workplaces
(1)

🐍 ANTIVENOM UPDATE FOR SOUTH AFRICA | SAVP RELEASES LATEST PRODUCTION TIMELINE 🏥The South African Vaccine Producers (SAV...
02/06/2026

🐍 ANTIVENOM UPDATE FOR SOUTH AFRICA | SAVP RELEASES LATEST PRODUCTION TIMELINE 🏥

The South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP), a subsidiary of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), has released an updated statement regarding the availability and expected release dates of several critical antivenom products.

This is encouraging news for healthcare providers, emergency responders, conservation personnel, snake handlers, and communities living in high-risk snakebite areas across South Africa.

According to the latest update:

✅ Boomslang Antivenom – Stock Available
✅ Echis Antivenom – Stock Available
🦂 Scorpion Antivenom – 717 units expected for release on 19 June 2026
🐍 Polyvalent Antivenom – 1,300 units expected for release on 15 July 2026
🕷️ Spider Antivenom – Expected release on 30 July 2026

The anticipated release of additional Polyvalent Antivenom is particularly important, as this product is used in the treatment of severe envenomations from several medically significant South African snake species, including mambas, cobras, rinkhals, puff adders, and others.

While antivenom remains a critical component of managing serious envenomations, prevention remains the most effective treatment.

✔️ Wear appropriate PPE when working outdoors
✔️ Ensure emergency response plans are in place
✔️ Train staff working in high-risk environments
✔️ Seek immediate medical care following a suspected serious snakebite

We will continue to share updates as they become available.

A sincere thank you to the teams at SAVP and NHLS who continue working behind the scenes to ensure these life-saving products remain available to South Africans who need them most.

🐍🏥

🐍 “Water infrastructure and snakes often go hand in hand.” | Meyerton, Gauteng 💧🌿We recently conducted a Snake Identific...
02/06/2026

🐍 “Water infrastructure and snakes often go hand in hand.” | Meyerton, Gauteng 💧🌿

We recently conducted a Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment course for delegates working in the water and sanitation sector in Meyerton, Gauteng.

If you've ever worked around reservoirs, pump stations, pipelines, water treatment facilities, or overgrown servitudes, you'll know one thing: These environments attract more than just maintenance crews.

They also provide ideal habitat for snakes including: dense vegetation reliable water sources, rodent activity, minimal disturbance. It's the perfect combination.

This course focused on helping delegates recognise risks before they become incidents and equipping them with the practical skills needed to respond safely when encounters occur.

Throughout the day, delegates worked through:

✔️ Identification of venomous and non-venomous snakes commonly encountered in Gauteng
✔️ Understanding why snakes are frequently found around water infrastructure
✔️ Practical snakebite first aid and emergency response procedures
✔️ Safe and ethical snake handling and relocation techniques
✔️ Reducing workplace risk while protecting both people and wildlife

One of the biggest lessons from the day?

Most snake encounters don't become emergencies because of the snake. They become emergencies because of panic, misinformation, or poor decision-making.

When teams understand the risk, they respond with confidence instead of fear. And that creates safer workplaces for everyone.

📞 For more information on our Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment courses, contact Bernadette on 076 092 5932 or bernadette@accesspd.co.za

🐍 “Aviation safety doesn’t stop at the runway.” | Vereeniging, Gauteng ✈️🌿We recently conducted a Snake Identification, ...
01/06/2026

🐍 “Aviation safety doesn’t stop at the runway.” | Vereeniging, Gauteng ✈️🌿

We recently conducted a Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment course for delegates working in the aviation industry, hosted at Klipriver Country Estate in Vereeniging, Gauteng.

When people think about aviation safety, they often think about aircraft, operations, and emergency procedures.

But there’s another risk that often goes unnoticed: perimeter fences, grasslands, drainage channels, remote infrastructure.

These areas create ideal habitat for snakes, bringing wildlife and people into regular contact.

This course focused on ensuring delegates could identify risks early, respond appropriately, and manage encounters safely without putting themselves, colleagues, or wildlife at unnecessary risk.

Throughout the day, delegates worked through:

✔️ Identification of venomous and non-venomous snakes commonly encountered
✔️ Understanding snake behaviour and why snakes are attracted to operational environments
✔️ Practical snakebite first aid and emergency response procedures
✔️ Safe and ethical snake handling and relocation techniques
✔️ Incident management and decision-making under pressure

One thing became clear throughout the training: The safest response is rarely the fastest response, it’s the informed response.

Because whether you're working on an airfield, around aviation infrastructure, or in surrounding operational areas, knowing how to react can prevent injuries, reduce disruption, and protect wildlife.

Preparation doesn't just improve safety, it builds confidence.

📞 For more information on our Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment courses, contact Bernadette on 076 092 5932 or bernadette@accesspd.co.za

🚨 THIS WEEK ON THE ROAD! 🚨While most people are planning their week, our instructors are covering thousands of kilometre...
01/06/2026

🚨 THIS WEEK ON THE ROAD! 🚨

While most people are planning their week, our instructors are covering thousands of kilometres across South Africa delivering practical, hands-on snake safety training where it matters most.

📍 Gauteng
📍 Limpopo
📍 KwaZulu-Natal
📍 North West

Over the next few days:
✅ 4 Provinces
✅ 2724+ KM travelled
✅ Multiple sites and industries
✅ One mission: reducing snakebite risk and improving emergency preparedness

This week's training focus includes:

🐍 Basic Snake Handling & Snakebite Treatment
🐍 Advanced Snake Handling & Snakebite Treatment

From remote worksites and industrial facilities to conservation areas and construction projects, snake encounters remain a real workplace hazard across South Africa.

The difference between a close call and a serious incident often comes down to one thing... Training!

Every delegate trained is another person equipped to identify dangerous species, respond correctly during a snake encounter, and provide appropriate first aid when seconds count.

We're proud to work alongside organisations that take proactive steps to protect their teams, improve compliance, and build safer workplaces.

💬 The question is:

If a venomous snake appeared on your site today, would your team know exactly what to do?

📞 Contact Bernadette to arrange onsite training anywhere in South Africa and beyond.

📱 076 092 5932
📧 bernadette@accesspd.co.za

🐍 Quick question...When was the last time you inspected your workplace for snake hazards?Not snake sightings.Snake hazar...
29/05/2026

🐍 Quick question...

When was the last time you inspected your workplace for snake hazards?

Not snake sightings.

Snake hazards.

There’s a big difference.

Most companies wait until someone sees a snake before taking action.

By then, the risk has already become real.

The smarter question is:

👉 If you were a snake, where would you hide on your site?

Tall grass?
Under pallets?
Around drainage systems?
Behind stored materials?

You may be surprised by what you find!

Read the full article:
https://accesspd.co.za/blog/workplace-snake-hazards-how-to-identify-snake-risks-on-your-site

☣️ Would your team know what to do if a hazardous substance leak, chemical splash, toxic vapour release, or workplace co...
26/05/2026

☣️ Would your team know what to do if a hazardous substance leak, chemical splash, toxic vapour release, or workplace contamination incident happened today?

Hazardous substances are present in more workplaces than most people realise, from cleaning chemicals and fuels to manufacturing products, solvents, gases, paints, acids, and industrial materials.

Knowing the hazard is only the beginning. Knowing how to identify risks, interpret labels and SDS documents, select the correct controls, respond safely to spills, and protect both people and the environment can make all the difference.

Our Hazardous Substances in the Workplace (HAZMAT) course is designed to equip employees with practical knowledge to work safer around hazardous substances and respond effectively when incidents occur.

✔ Hazard identification & exposure risks
✔ Chemical labels, warning signs & SDS interpretation
✔ Safe handling, storage & PPE selection
✔ Spill response & emergency procedures
✔ Practical workplace controls & compliance awareness

📍 Available onsite across South Africa
📅 1 Day Course
📞 Bernadette: 076 092 5932
📧 bernadette@accesspd.co.za
🌐 www.accesspd.co.za

Don’t wait for an incident to expose weaknesses in your system. Build capability before it matters.

🚨 THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR HPCSA RESTORATION APPLICANTS 🚨You’ve worked too hard to let registration delays hold your car...
21/05/2026

🚨 THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR HPCSA RESTORATION APPLICANTS 🚨

You’ve worked too hard to let registration delays hold your career back.

Whether you are preparing for your HPCSA Restoration Board Exam, keeping your knowledge current, or building confidence before returning to practice, now is the time to act.

At Access Professional Development, we don’t believe refresher training should feel like ticking a compliance box.
Our BAA & AEA Refresher + CPG Update Courses are built around real-world emergency care, practical decision making, current clinical guidelines, and experienced paramedic-led instruction.

⭐ Real clinical insight
⭐ Practical emergency scenarios
⭐ Updated CPG knowledge
⭐ Confidence to return to practice

And feedback like this reminds us why we do what we do. 👇

"Your training standards are exceptional and world standard… very good training material and impressive equipment!"

📅 Upcoming Course Dates:
🩺 25 & 26 June 2026
🩺 23 & 24 July 2026

⚠️ Important Reminder:
Applications for the HPCSA Restoration Board Exam close on 31 July 2026.

Do not leave your refresher training until the last minute. Seats are intentionally limited to maintain training quality and practical exposure.

📍 Training presented by experienced prehospital professionals
📞 Bernadette: 076 092 5932
📧 bernadette@accesspd.co.za
🌐 www.accesspd.co.za

🚑 “On a campus, emergencies don’t happen in hospitals first.” | Potchefstroom, North West 🎓Last week, we wrapped up a Fi...
19/05/2026

🚑 “On a campus, emergencies don’t happen in hospitals first.” | Potchefstroom, North West 🎓

Last week, we wrapped up a First Aid Level 1 course for a group of staff members and lecturers at a university in Potchefstroom, Northwest. These are places where people learn, grow, and work every day, but they’re also places where emergencies can happen without warning.

And in those first critical moments… the people already on site become the first responders.

This course focused on giving delegates the confidence and practical skills to act immediately when something goes wrong, before professional medical help arrives.

Throughout the training, delegates worked through:
✔️ Patient assessment and prioritising life-threatening conditions
✔️ CPR and AED use in real-world situations
✔️ Managing bleeding, fractures, burns, and common injuries
✔️ Choking, seizures, and sudden medical emergencies
✔️ Staying calm and taking control during high-pressure incidents

Because whether it’s a student, colleague, or visitor… someone’s worst day could depend on your response!

📞 For more information on our First Aid training courses, contact Bernadette on 076 092 5932 or bernadette@accesspd.co.za

Today APD turns 6 years old!Over the past six years, we have had the privilege of meeting incredible people from all wal...
18/05/2026

Today APD turns 6 years old!

Over the past six years, we have had the privilege of meeting incredible people from all walks of life through our training.

To every person who has supported us, trusted us, attended one of our classes, shared our posts, referred a client, encouraged us during difficult times, or simply believed in what we are building… thank you.

Thank you to every learner who walked into a class nervous or uncertain, who pushed through fear, who challenged themselves, who laughed with us during practical sessions, and who walked away stronger, more confident, and better prepared for real-world situations.

We have shared stressful moments, challenging scenarios, unforgettable memories, plenty of laughter, and sometimes even tears together. Those moments are what built APD into more than just a training company.

They built a community.

To our instructors, support staff, clients, learners, friends, and supporters: thank you for being part of this journey.

Six years later, we are still growing, still learning, and still driven by the same purpose: to inspire, empower, and make an impact.

Here’s to the next chapter. ❤️

🐍 “Power infrastructure runs through snake country too.” | Kimberley, Northern Cape ⚡🌿We recently presented a Snake Iden...
14/05/2026

🐍 “Power infrastructure runs through snake country too.” | Kimberley, Northern Cape ⚡🌿

We recently presented a Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment course to delegates working in the energy sector in Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Powerline routes, substations, remote infrastructure sites, and vegetation around critical equipment. These environments create the perfect conditions for snake encounters, often far from immediate medical assistance.

And when a snake is found near operations, the response can’t be panic. It needs to be calm, controlled, and informed.

This session focused on preparing teams for exactly those situations:

✔️ Identifying venomous and non-venomous snakes commonly encountered in the Northern Cape
✔️ Understanding why snakes are attracted to infrastructure environments
✔️ Practical snakebite first aid and emergency response procedures
✔️ Safe and ethical snake handling and relocation techniques
✔️ Reducing risk while protecting both personnel and wildlife

One thing became clear throughout the day:

Most incidents don’t happen because people are careless. They happen because people were never properly trained for the environment they work in.

That’s why practical training matters.

Because when teams know what to do, situations stay controlled and small incidents don’t become emergencies.

📞 For more information on our Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment courses, contact Bernadette on 076 092 5932 or bernadette@accesspd.co.za

Address

Vereeniging
1930

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 15:00

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Access Professional Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts


Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}', expecting end of file in /home/multisite/volt/findhealthclinics/%%home%%multisite%%apps%%geosite%%views%%unify01%%partials%%item_sidebar.volt.php on line 287