Being wrapped up by a large python is a scary situation that very few people will experience in their lives. However, if you ever find yourself in the coils of one of these non-venomous yet powerful constrictors, it’s important to remain calm and take action to safely escape.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Don’t panic, call for help if possible, and take slow deep breaths while trying to gently unwrap the python’s coils from your body.
Stay Calm and Don’t Panic
Remaining calm is perhaps the most crucial thing you can do if you find yourself being wrapped by a python. Pythons are non-venomous constrictors that kill prey by squeezing tightly and preventing breathing. Although scary, try not to panic as that will only make the situation more dangerous.
Take slow, deep breaths
Focus on your breathing and take long, deep inhales and exhales to the best of your ability. Slow, controlled breathing can help counteract the constriction and allow more oxygen to enter your lungs. Try rhythmic breathing techniques, inhaling and exhaling to a mental count.
Thismindfulness can also help ease panic.
Try not to struggle or thrash around
As frightening as it is, thrashing will speed up oxygen depletion as the snake’s grip tightens. Remind yourself that the python is not trying to kill you out of malice – it’s just following natural instincts. Stay as still as possible to avoid provoking further constriction.
Allow your body to relax rather than fighting. Using muscle leads to faster oxygen use, which you want to conserve.
Remaining calm will conserve your oxygen
Giving in to panic and adrenaline causes the body to use oxygen faster through increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and muscle tension. Focus inward and maintain a calm, relaxed state to reduce oxygen expenditure. If you can summon it, enter a meditative mindset rather than reacting frantically.
Imagine you are somewhere peaceful rather than in mortal danger. Envision friends and loved ones sending calming energy. Transport your mind away from the python.
Staying calm with slow breathing and minimum movement gives rescuers the most time to help you. Venomous snake bites can be treated if you reach care in time, but constrictors kill through suffocation. Your best chance lies in keeping panic at bay and oxygen levels high.
With luck and a calm centered mindset, you can survive a python attack.
For more information, visit authoritative sites like wildlife.ca.gov and UFwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu.
Call for Help if Possible
If you find yourself in the terrifying situation of being wrapped up by a python, calling for help should be your first priority if possible. Pythons are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they squeeze their prey until it succumbs.
While not immediately fatal, this squeeze can quickly become dangerous.
Shout loudly to alert others nearby
If you are out hiking or in an area where other people may be nearby, shout loudly and repeatedly to get their attention. Say something like “Help! I’m being attacked by a python!” Make noise and movement to help rescuers locate you.
Use phone to call emergency services if you can reach it
If you have your phone on you and can reach it, call emergency services right away. Explain that you are being constricted by a large snake and need immediate help. Provide your location if possible. Even if you cannot speak, keeping the line open allows dispatchers to pinpoint your location.
Someone else can help unwind the python safely
Having another person available to unwind the python’s coils in the proper direction is ideal. They can do this more safely than you can, as the python will continue constricting anyone who tries unwinding it. Remain calm and still as possible until help arrives.
Having someone to assist greatly improves your chances of escaping safely.
Python attacks are rare, but calling for help quickly gives you the best odds of survival. Do not try to unwrap the snake yourself – this may provoke it to tighten further. Focus on signaling your location to others who can properly unwind the snake’s grip and allow you to get to safety.
Attempt to Unwrap the Python
Gently try to loosen coils around your torso
Being attacked by a python can be a terrifying experience, but staying calm and using slow deliberate movements is key to surviving the encounter. If the python has coiled itself around your torso or upper body, gently attempt to loosen its grip by slowly shifting your torso side to side or shimmying your shoulders.
Moving too quickly or aggressively will cause the snake to constrict tighter. Try placing your hands under the coils and gently prying them away from your body. Relax the muscles in your torso as much as possible to allow the coils to slide off.
Breathe slowly and avoid panic, as the python is just viewing you as potential prey and constricting instinctively.
Don’t try to pull or rip the python off
It may be tempting to try and physically yank the python off of you, but this is extremely dangerous and will only provoke the snake to constrict tighter. Never attempt to pull a python’s head or peel its coils off you by force. Their muscular bodies can exert over 200 psi of pressure, quickly leading to serious injury or suffocation.
If any part of the python’s body is wrapped around your neck or face, move with extreme care. Remain patient and keep your movements subtle and gentle. Attempting to rip the snake off will only distress it and put your safety at greater risk.
Slowly shimmy body out of coils if possible
If the python has not fully coiled itself around you and there is room to maneuver, slowly and gently try to shimmy your body out of its grip. Move inch by inch and avoid any sudden or jerking motions. You may be able to slide out from the lower coils first by relaxing your legs and core muscles.
Rolling your body very slowly or turning it at an angle may also help loosen the snake’s hold. Stay calm and do not panic or thrash around. According to the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, moving deliberately and gently is the best way to extricate yourself from a python attack. Remain patient and do not force any part of your body out if the coils seem too tight.
Protect Your Neck and Head
Don’t let python get a grip around your neck
If a large constrictor like a python or boa starts to wrap around your neck, it is crucial to prevent it from getting a tight grip. Once the snake coils begin constricting, it will be very difficult to remove them.
Try to keep your chin tucked and use your hands to grab behind the head to stop the snake from wrapping further. If possible, have someone assist to help unwind the coils while you keep the head contained. Getting bitten is a risk, but preventing asphyxiation is the top priority.
According to wildlife experts, you may only have a few minutes before blood flow is restricted, so staying calm and moving quickly is imperative.
Keep your chin tucked if coils are around your head
If a snake has already started constricting around your head and neck, focus on keeping your chin tucked to protect airflow. Try not to panic or struggle too much, as this may prompt the snake to squeeze tighter. Have someone assist by slowly unwinding the coils while you remain still and calm.
Getting the snake to release its grip without harming you further will require patience and teamwork. According to university researchers studying snake attacks, carefully shifting body weight while a partner unwinds the snake can help loosen coils with minimal further constriction.
Staying centered mentally will help you and your assistant strategically free you safely. Getting medical help quickly after escaping the snake’s grasp is also essential in case bite wounds or bruising needs emergency treatment.
Use Sprays or Loud Noises to Repel
Citronella, WD-40 or other sprays may get python to release
If a python has coiled around you, using strong-smelling sprays like citronella or WD-40 can help encourage the snake to release its grip. The strong odors are unpleasant and may irritate the python’s sensitive Jacobson’s organ, which is used to detect chemicals.
Spray the area around the snake’s head to disrupt its ability to sense its environment and prompt it to uncoil (University of Florida, 2022).
Other household products like bleach, ammonia or even cologne can produce irritating fumes. Avoid spraying directly into the snake’s eyes or nostrils as this may anger it. Apply the spray to clothing or skin near the snake’s head instead.
The goal is to make you seem like an unpleasant meal to get the python to let go voluntarily (San Diego Zoo, 2022).
Bang pots, blow whistle or airhorn if available
Creating sudden, loud noises can startle a python into releasing its grip. If pots, metal lids, whistles or airhorns are available, use them to make abrupt, piercing sounds near the snake’s head. The loud, unfamiliar noises are meant to surprise the snake so it instinctively loosens its coils (University of Florida, 2022).
Banging cookware together produces rattling vibrations that can briefly disorient the python. Whistles or airhorns blast shrill tones that may overwhelm the snake’s senses. Focus on directing the noises right around the python’s head to maximize the effect.
The goal is to briefly overwhelm the snake so it relaxes its muscles and uncoils (San Diego Zoo, 2022).
Loud, unfamiliar sounds can startle snake to let go
If no noisemakers are available, yelling, screaming or any loud vocalizations can work too. The python may interpret the commotion as a threat, prompting it to flee. Make the vocalizations near the snake’s head to startle it most effectively.
You can also vigorously rub your hands together or stomp your feet to generate sudden, alarming sounds (University of Florida, 2022).
Your goal is to create a brief sensory overload for the snake. So use any improvised tactics – clap loudly, bang objects together, rummage for tools. The more abrupt and thunderous the sounds are, the more likely the startled python is to loosen its grip and unwind.
Just keep the ruckus focused around the snake’s head to maximize impact (San Diego Zoo, 2022).
Conclusion
Getting wrapped up by a large constrictor like a python can be a terrifying experience. But by keeping calm, soliciting help, taking care to unwrap yourself, protecting vital areas, and using noise or spray repellents, you can safely escape from the snake’s grasp.
Remember to remain calm and move slowly to conserve energy and oxygen. With luck and the right response, even this dangerous predicament can be overcome.
