OFO No:

What is a Snake Milker? 

Are you a snake lover? Do you love excitement and danger? Do you like living on the edge? Becoming a Snake Milker might be the job for you! 

A Snake Milker is trained to remove (milk) the venom from various, poisonous snakes like mambas, cobras and pythons. 

This is done by gripping the snake behind the head in such a way to expose its fangs. The snake is then encouraged to bite down on a special container which collects the venom which drops from the fangs. This is called milking a snake. The venom is then freeze-dried to send to the labs. 

This is a very dangerous procedure because at any one time, the snake may move and escape leaving the Snake Milker in danger of being bitten.  In some cases, the tiniest drop of venom can kill a full grown man.

This venom is then used to produce anti-venom to combat the poisons in some one who has been bitten by a poisonous snake.

A Snake Milker usually breeds highly poisonous snakes for this purpose. 

Here are some Youtube clips of Snake Milkers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgqzi6EhzY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inrbYyfUZX8

What does a Snake Milker do?

• hunts suitable poisonous snakes in the wild to breed
• breeds snakes
• feeds snakes
• monitors well-being of snakes
• milks snakes
• freeze-dries venom
• sends venom to laboratories to make anti-venom and medicines
• keeps records

Are you … ?

• responsible?
• patient?
• able to concentrate?
• safety conscious?
• interested in snakes?
• careful?
• interested in science?
• willing to work unusual hours?

How do I become a Snake Milker?

• DEGREES: (universities)

Most Snake Milkers have degree or Masters in Herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) or Biochemistry.

Herpetology is a sub-section of Zoology. This means – you can do a BSc in Zoology and specialise in Herpetology at a post-grad level.

• DIPLOMA: (universities of technology)

You could study a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and continue on to do a BTech degree.  In this degree you could do research in snakes and Herpetology.

Minimum requirements: 

High marks in the sciences, mathematics & English.  Institutions have their own requirements – check with your institution of choice what theirs are.

• CAPE REPTILE INSTITUTE: (has volunteer programme)

http://www.crepinstitute.co.za/volunteer.php

• AFRICAN SNAKE BITE INSTITUTE

http://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Ichthyologist or Game Ranger

Is becoming a Snake Milker the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 812301

Other names for Window Cleaner:

CLICK HERE  or  CLICK HERE

Youtube clip of a Skyscraper Winder Cleaner

What is a Skyscraper Window Cleaner? 

A Skyscraper Window Cleaner is a ‘Superman’ kind of job! 

They are responsible for cleaning the outside windows of extremely high buildings. 

It’s an extremely dangerous and challenging. It’s a thrill-a-moment, death defying job, that could potentially, be rewarding financially. 

A Skyscraper Window Cleaner may hang from specialised ropes or stand on aerial platforms which are raised or lowered to the floors where the cleaners need to be or use scaffold towers which are place against the building. 

What does a Skyscraper Window Cleaner do?

• is aware of safety at all times
• wears safety gear and safety harnesses
• cleans the windows
• removes stubborn marks with specialised cleansing fluids
• is observant of weather patterns which could be potentially dangerous
• communicates with ground staff

Are you … ?

• a person who suffers from vertigo? (fear of heights) this would not be a good job for you!
• brave?
• responsible?
• a good communicator?
• able to deal with stress and pressure?
• observant?
• safety conscious?

How do I become a Skyscraper Window Cleaner?

Some Skyscraper Window Cleaning companies train their own staff.

Here are a few places that offer training:

• ENVIROSAFE CLEANING CONCEPTS

• CLEANING AFRICA SERVICES

• EMC TRAINING & CONSULTING

Any form of Rope Access Training would be extremely advantageous:

• SKYRIDERS

• ROPE WORKZ

• ASC WORK & HEIGHT

Interesting article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240837/Brave-window-cleaners-challenge-worlds-tallest-skyscraper-Dubais-Burj-Khalifa.html

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Rigger or Glazier

Is becoming a Skyscraper Window Cleaner the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Bodyguard?

A Bodyguard (Close Protection Officer) is a specialised security man or woman who protects a person/s. 

People who need protection – usually include celebrities, wealthy or politically important figures. 

They need protection from kidnapping, homicide/assassination, harassment (eg paparazzi and stalkers), assault, danger, loss of confidential information, various threats, etc.

What does a Bodyguard do?

• meets with clients to discuss client’s requirements
• studies client’s daily and work schedules
• detects any possible threats
• creates and plans solutions for possible threats
• makes sure client is safe at all times
• learns the country’s laws and bylaws

Are you . . . ?

• alert?
• observant?
• responsive?
• fit?
• trustworthy?
• cool under extreme emergencies?
• a good communicator/negotiator?
• mature?
• patient?
• neat and tidy?
• hard worker?
• assertive and confident?

How do I become a Bodyguard?

Bodyguards can either be trained through the South African Police (SAP) or through private companies.
Here are a few private companies that offer training courses:

• BODYGUARD PROTECTION SERVICES:  (Primrose)

• DELTA ONE INTERNATIONAL:  (Johannesburg)

• SNG SECURITY: (Branches countrywide) 

• TSU TRAINING SERVICES:  (Pretoria and Cape Town)

• RONIN SOUTH AFRICA

• EXPRO PROTECTION SERVICES

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: 2nd Engineering Officer or Ambulance Worker

Is becoming a Bodyguard the right career choice for me?

What is a Fire Fighter?

Are you adventurous? Are you a thrill seeker? Do you see yourself rushing into burning buildings and saving people from life-threatening flames and falling debris?

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then becoming a Fire Fighter, may be a job you should seriously consider.

Fire Fighters protect lives and property from fire. They also put out fires when need be. During emergencies and local and national disasters such as floods, aeroplane crashes, terrorist attacks, train derailments, vehicle accidents, earthquakes etc,

Fire Fighters are on hand to give assistance.

Fire Fighters are also trained paramedics and rescuers.

Fire Fighters can work for local government, forestry departments, airports, in the navy and rescue organisations.

Fire Fighters may have the opportunity to be selected for deployment as part of AU and UN peace keeping operations.

What does a Fire Fighter do?

• assesses the scene 
• determines the course of action to be taken
• extinguishes fires, rescuing
• administers paramedical care
• keeps fit and active
• cleans fire trucks, service and maintains all equipment
• gives lectures and talks to the public with regard to fire safety

Are you … ?

• a team player?
• adventurous and brave?
• calm under pressure?
• in good physical condition?
• fit and able?
• emotionally stable?
• alert and dependable?
• a person with good judgement and initiative?
• a person with good communication skills (read, write and speak)?
• willing to work long hours, public holidays and weekends?
• able to work in life-threatening situations?

You MUST NOT suffer from:

• Claustrophobia (fear of no escape or fear of small spaces)
• Agoraphobia (fear of crowded spaces)
• Acrophobic (fear of heights)
• Vertigo (dizziness felt in high places)

How do I become a Fire Fighter?

There are many levels of Fire Fighters. So to work your way up the corporate fire ladder you must be willing to do courses and training. The more you do, the harder you work, the quicker you will succeed.

To be a Fire Fighter:

Minimum requirements:

• Grade 12 (Mathematics and Physics is advantageous)
• 18 years+
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be physically and medically fit (candidates must be prepared to undergo physical evaluation and medical assessment)
• Must not be claustrophobic (A fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces) or acrophobic (abnormal fear of high places)

To be a Learner Firefighter in the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service

Minimum requirements:

• Grade 12 or equivalent (Maths and Science is recommended)
• 18 years +
• Do able to do a  1,9 metre reach test
• Run 2,4km in under 11 minutes (males) / 12 minutes (females)
• 15 bench presses with 25kg
• 30 sit-up in 60 seconds
• Carry another person, of equal body weight, a distance of 100 metres
• Complete a vertigo test and claustrophobia test
• Pass a written test in basic mathematics and comprehension
• Successfully complete an interview and medical examination

THE NAVY:

http://www.navy.mil.za/SANCareers/fire_fighting.htm

Selected Fire Fighters attend a 16 week Fire Fighter Part 1 course which covers theory and practical fire fighting, HAZMAT Awareness and First Aid 1-3.  On successful completion of this course the candidate is awarded a Certificate of Competency accredited by the South African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI).

Minimum requirements:

• Be keen to follow a career in fire fighting
• Have Matric (Maths and Science)
• Not suffer from vertigo (dizziness)
• Not claustrophobic

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Ambulance Worker or Body Guard

Is becoming a Fire Fighter the right career choice for me?

Rope Access Technician
is also known as a Rigger

CLICK HERE
for more info about this career.

What is a Target Girl? 

A Target Girl or Target Person is a very brave person indeed! 

A Target Girl is the person/target who stands directly in front of an impaler, in a circus or performance. 

The impaler throws knives and axes or shoots arrows directly at the Target Girl aiming to get the knife, axe or arrow as close as possible to the Target Girl without actually injuring them. 

What does a Target Girl do?

• dress up in costume
• stand in front of target
• be tied to a moving or spinning target
• try to remain calm at all times
• trust their knife-throwing partner!
• concentrate at all times
• practice, practice, practice!

Here is a Youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB159KmrK9I

Are you … ?

• a thrill-seeker?
• a person who loves living dangerously?
• a performer?
• crowd pleaser?
• trusting?
• responsible?
• willing to practice and practice?

How do I become a Target Girl?

Join a circus. Find an impaler/partner and have your own act which could be performed at shows or corporate events.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Clown or Comedian

Is becoming a Target Girl the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.