A five-meter long python wrapped itself in a chokehold around a Bangkok fireman during a safety drill procedure.

Khun Apichet, 40, was demonstrating to school children in Bangkok the endangerment posed by reptiles and how to tackle them if they coiled around their bodies. But Apichet was in need of help himself when the serpent spiraled itself around him. Another fireman who was giving the talk had to prize away the python which was following its natural instincts in strangling its prey.

“The snake is trying to bite him because this makes the snake feel good. When the snake wants to eat the people they will bite quickly and lock them in, but this one is older and has been tamed,” the other fireman explained. We assume the fireman managed to get out safely, even though the video doesn’t show it.