Snakes to your left. Snakes to your right. Giant cockroaches behind you. And in front of you, the open sea. It’s hard to get to this island in the first place. But it’s almost impossible to get out alive.

About 33 km (20 mi) off the coast of Brazil, near the state of Sao Paulo, there is a place so uninhabited that it is closed to visitors or tours. Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as Snake Island, is just 430,000 m2 (106 acres). But it is home to a lot of spoils.

It is estimated that there is at least one snake per m2 (1.2 square yards), and around 4,000 of them are golden pit vipers. They are one of the deadliest snakes in the world. This place is feared even by local residents, who tell stories of people going to the island but never returning.

How dead is the Golden Spearhead? What other creatures are on the island? And why might pirates be a problem, too?

Unless you’re on a mission to repair this lonely lighthouse, there’s no reason for you to go to Snake Island. But if you do end up there by accident, how could you possibly survive?

If you’re going boating or fishing near the island, it’s best to keep your distance. Snake Island is surrounded by rocks, so it’s dangerous to swim near it and you could sink your boat.

In late February 2019, a small fishing boat with six men on board was caught in a storm. It began to batter near Snake Island. Knowing exactly which island they were on, four of the men decided to swim to shore. The other two remained in the boat and decided to die by their own means.

The four men were on the island for three days, staying on the beach without entering the forest. For three days they drank rainwater and ate bananas they found at the edge of the forest.

They then saw a boat approaching the island and quickly swam towards it. The boat picked them up and took them to the nearest emergency room on the coast.

But vipers aren’t the only threat on Snake Island. There are plenty of non-venomous snakes, giant cockroaches, and lobsters populating the island. If you’re anywhere on Snake Island, you should regularly check for these not-so-small creatures. And try to avoid them as best you can. On the other hand, if you have a tough stomach, they might just save you from starving to death. Cockroaches are safe to eat and are a good source of protein and essential amino acids. Bon appétit!

If you stay on this island, you will have to face snakes. Try to find a stick. It will help you fight the snakes and keep them away from you. If you find a stick, be ready to attack.

Since the island’s golden lancehead vipers evolved naturally, they developed a ⱱeпom up to five times stronger than that of a normal lancehead viper. This powerful ⱱeпom causes serious physical complications, including kidney failure, gastric hemorrhage, and intestinal bleeding.

It can also cause muscle tissue to die, so you’ll feel like your skin is melting away. Take off rings, watches and bracelets, as they can be very difficult to remove if a soul starts to sweat.

If you have an EpiPen, use it to treat symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as burning in your face, mouth, or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing. The only way to increase your chances of getting anaphylaxis is with medication, which brings us to the next step.