Snake expert’s most terrifying moment

Australian Reptile Park Manager Billy Collett has opened up about the most terrifying moment of his life, which occurred almost 10 years ago.

The beloved wildlife presenter and park manager, known for his passion for animals and dedication to the antivenom program, was bitten by a King Brown snake in 2016.

Collett has worked hands-on with venomous snakes for more than 20 years.

Highly skilled and trained in the delicate process of safely milking snakes, he has now shared his harrowing near-death experience on his new YouTube series, Venom Diaries, which gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of working inside the Park’s Weigel Venom Centre.

While examining a King Brown snake recovering from surgery, Collett was caught off guard when the reptile thrashed unexpectedly.

It latched onto his wrist and began chewing, a typical behaviour for the species.

Due to his extensive experience with venomous snakes, and countless drills on this exact scenario, Collett managed to remain calm under pressure.

As per protocol, he safely secured the snake back in its enclosure before applying life-saving first aid to himself.

Moments later, the venom began to take hold.

“Within about five minutes I could feel symptoms,” he said.

“My eyesight was strained, I had a really bad taste in my mouth, I felt extremely nauseous, I was sweating so bad.”

But the nightmare had only just begun.

When doctors administered antivenom, Collett suffered a severe allergic reaction, his body swelling and breaking out in hives.

The snake that bit him had recently broken the world record for the largest venom yield from a snake, making the situation even more dire.

“I was freaking out, I honestly thought I was gonna die,” Collett said.

Up against the clock, doctors carefully stabilised him, slowly administering antivenom over an extended period until the venom was neutralised.

Remarkably, the week after, Collett was back at the Australian Reptile Park facing down the very snake that bit him.

“I’ve stayed quiet for years but am finally ready to tell my story,” he said.

“People ask me why I still do this, but it’s not a hero thing.

“The antivenom program just saves so many lives in Australia each year and I’m so proud of that.

“I’ll do this as long as I can.

“The bite definitely plays in the back of my mind, and I never ever want to go through that again.”

Today, Collett still works hands-on with the world’s deadliest snakes to produce antivenom which saves hundreds of Australians each year.

With warmer weather ahead and snake season approaching, he is urging Australians to refresh their knowledge of first aid in case of a snake bite: stay calm; remove any jewellery from the affected limb; apply a pressure bandage – wrap firmly around the bite site three times, then continue bandaging up the entire limb; and call 000 immediately and keep as still as possible until help arrives.

“First aid is everything,” Collett said.

“If you’re bitten by a snake, the very first step before anything else is to apply a bandage; it’s what saves lives.”

To see Collett’s full story search “venom diaries” at www.youtube.com

For more information about the anti-venom program go to www.reptilepark.com.au