David Humplett has been in hospital for the Christmas and New Year period
The horrifying moment when a popular influencer live-streamed himself being bitten by a venomous snake has taken the internet by storm.
David Humplett, a social media star with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, became the center of attention for a terrifying reason on December 18.
During a livestream, he was bitten by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake in Florida and rushed to the ICU as his condition became critical.
Humplett was exploring Shired Island in Dixie County, known for its wildlife, in search of snakes to showcase to his audience.
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Unfortunately for him, it was an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake—a highly venomous species—that crossed his path and launched an aggressive attack.
After being bitten on the leg, Humplett exclaimed: “Welp, I’m cooked. Alright, that right there is a fantastic Eastern diamondback Rattlesnake that I just got bit in the leg by when I was peeling bark.”
According to WCJB, the influencer was peeling bark off a tree to uncover another species of snake when he unknowingly startled the rattlesnake, which retaliated with a strike.
“And then I just felt, out of nowhere, this intense pain, right in my leg. Honestly, it felt like an alligator,” Humplett recalled to WCJB.
Following the attack, he was rushed to the hospital, fearing for his life and describing the intense pain he felt.
“My reaction was just like dang it, this is really bad,” he shared. “I might lose my leg. It was petty scary because my whole body went numb head to toe.”
The snake in questionInstagram/David Humphlett
Doctors administered an astonishing 88 vials of anti-venom to counteract the effects of the snakebite.
His leg had swelled to enormous proportions, and as of now, Humplett remains in intensive care, still recovering as the new year begins.
Emma Rynear, Humplett’s wife, has spoken about the ordeal and praised those who helped her husband.
“Internally, I’m panicking but externally, I’m reassuring him, ‘You’re going to be fine’,” she told WCJB.
“My team here at work helped me run down to the emergency room to be right there as the helicopter landed.”
Reflecting on the incident, Humplett added: “That’s just the God we serve. He turns things that seem crappy and makes them really beautiful.”
The influencer considers himself incredibly lucky to be alive, noting that the Eastern diamondback is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Florida.
His leg remains purple and swollen, and he described it as feeling like it might explode from the pressure.
To assist with mounting medical expenses, Humplett has launched a recovery fund on GoFundMe to cover his treatment costs and provide support for his family during this time.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are the largest and heaviest venomous snakes in North America, often growing between three and six feet in length, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Their bites can be fatal to humans, making Humplett’s survival all the more remarkable and a testament to quick medical intervention.
