Viral PressA fireman has demonstrated how to stop yourself getting strangled by a python, allowing the deadly but non-venomous snake to wrap itself around him.
Phinyo Pukphinyo, 49, a firefighter and snake catcher in Bangkok, knelt down as the 14ft reptile coiled itself around his body – a move which could have easily resulted in death.
The firefighter did it all in the name of safety though, demonstrating the risky manoeuvre to help others if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.
Take a look at the terrifying footage below:
In the video, the snake can be seen coiling itself tightly around the fireman’s neck, getting tighter and tighter as time goes on.
However, Pukphinyo remains firmly in control of the situation and manages to get his hand between the snake and his snake, which prevents the python from asphyxiating its victim before help can arrive.
Addressing the crowd, the 49-year-old says:
I’m going to show you how to get out of a situation where the python’s attacking. The snake’s muscles will get tighter and it will squeeze your neck, which is the most important part of its victim’s body.
The snake will keep moving to tighten itself around your neck. Always try calling for help. If you don’t have this arm to protect yourselves, snakes kill you by attacking the trachea.
Viral PressThe firefighter notes that putting your arm between the snake and your neck will prevent it from being able to squeeze your windpipe.
However, he emphasises that this will only protect you for a short while, saying:
But even with the arm, you will be able to breathe only for a little while, because the snake will squeeze you tighter and tighter until your body becomes sore.
You will start to get weaker and feeble until you are eventually run out of breath and die. So, always contact the emergency services if you see snakes, whether they are venomous or non-venomous.
When snakes try to kill the prey for food, these predators will squeeze them to death with all their energy.
So even if you find yourself in a situation where this advice is needed, and you follow it to a T, it’s still vital to call for help as soon as possible.
Viral PressPukphinyo says he receives up to 15 calls a day at the height of the rainy season in Thailand, when pythons are most visible in Bangkok.
And although pythons are not venomous, they still prove to be extremely dangerous at times – as this video demonstrates.
The brave firefighter also has to deal with venomous snakes, like cobras, and once spent three months in hospital after getting bitten by one.
Well, I was planning on visiting Thailand at some point, but after this video I need further training before I do…
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).