Snake Bites Social Media Star—’Scared I’m Going To Die’

A social media star who describes himself as a “professional snake wrangler” feared he would die after being bitten by one of America’s deadliest snakes. David Humphlett, known as David Orin on his media channels, is recovering in hospital, after being attacked by a 4-foot Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake while searching for reptiles with friends on Florida’s Shired Island, Dixie County. Newsweek has reached out to the Dixie County Board of Commissioners via an online form for comment. Why This Matters According to the CDC, between 7,000 and 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States every year; deaths caused by snakebites are rare, and will occur in at least five of those cases. What to Know Orin is a social media creator with a following of 1.4 million people on Instagram, and 2.3 million on TikTok. Going by the name adventorin on Instagram, he describes himself as an adventurer on Insta, and a professional snake wrangler on TikTok. He regularly travels the country, and shares videos where he showcases wildlife including snakes and other animals. David recovering from his snake bite in hospital. On December 18, David Orin was flown to hospital, where he was met by his wife, a UF nurse, after being bitten by a 4-foot Eastern Diamondback… David recovering from his snake bite in hospital. On December 18, David Orin was flown to hospital, where he was met by his wife, a UF nurse, after being bitten by a 4-foot Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, while he was out searching for reptiles with his friends. David Orin/Emma Orin Orin was rushed to a fire station in Cross City, and transferred to hospital by helicopter on December 18, after being bitten on Shired Island, an underdeveloped and unincorporated area along the Gulf Coast. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is known as being one of the most dangerous snakes in America. According to the book The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians, the snake is a leader of fatal snakebites in it’s geographical area. It’s venom is very potent, and can be fatal if not treated quickly. In a video posted on his Instagram, Orin films the bite and the snake and says: “Welp, I’m cooked. That right there is a fantastic Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, that I just got bit in the leg by.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Orin (@adventorin) The video then cuts to him in hospital, where he says “as soon as I finished recording, I got back in the car. Immediately started going into what I think was anaphylactic shock.” He explains that his whole body was numb and tingly, and that the area where he was bitten felt like it was going to explode. “I’m scared I’m going to die,” he says in the video. Orin was then transferred to UF Health Shands in Gainesville by helicopter, where his wife, Emma who is a nurse at the hospital, was at work. He is struggling to regain feeling in his ankle. David and his wife Emma. On December 18, David Humphlett was flown to hospital, where he was met by his wife, a UF nurse, after being bitten by a 4-foot Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, while he… David and his wife Emma. On December 18, David Humphlett was flown to hospital, where he was met by his wife, a UF nurse, after being bitten by a 4-foot Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, while he was out searching for reptiles with his friends. David Orin/Emma Orin What People Are Saying Newsweek spoke to Emma, who said via email: “I’m feeling really hopeful and so cared for! Caretaking for David is an honor. The first week here at the hospital was so scary but our loved ones have filled in all the gaps that I couldn’t do on my own. “My hope in Jesus has sustained me most through all of this. “The most recent updates on David’s medical journey are that we are finding the best pain management plan for David as he often deals with excruciating muscle and nerve pain. “We are also still working through three different antibiotics to kill off the infections we were dealing with. Lastly, we are praying that David’s ankle will soon be able to move again. Nerve and muscle damage from the bite is preventing any mobility. We are hopeful that with rigorous physical therapy in the hospital and after discharge, we will see that ankle move again!” In a post shared on his Instagram, David Orin said that “The snake is NOT the problem,” adding “I love snakes. snakes are beautiful animals created by God.” What’s Next David is now recovering in the hospital, where he has been for nearly two weeks. Emma is posting regular updates about David Orin’s progress on her social media. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.