Heroic Cop on Camera: Attempts CPR to Save Snake’s Life

A constable from Madhya Pradesh has garnered attention due to a viral video in which he attempts to perform CPR on a snake. This unusual act was prompted by the snake’s immobilization after consuming pesticide-laced water.

The video, widely circulated and praised, raised questions about the effectiveness of this “kiss of life” for the snake’s revival. A veterinarian consulted by NDTV expressed doubts that CPR could revive a snake and suggested the snake may have naturally regained consciousness.

The viral incident occurred in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh, involving a non-poisonous snake that had entered a residential colony’s pipeline. When residents failed to extract the snake from the pipe, they resorted to pouring water with pesticide down the pipeline, causing the snake to lose consciousness. In their uncertainty about the next steps, the residents called the police.

Constable Atul Sharma, a self-proclaimed “self-taught snake rescuer,” arrived at the scene and located the snake. The video shows Mr. Sharma closely examining the snake to check for signs of breathing. He then attempts mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the snake, occasionally sprinkling clean water on the pesticide-exposed reptile as onlookers encourage him.

To the crowd’s cheers, the snake gradually regains movement. Mr. Sharma claims to have saved around 500 snakes in the past 15 years, citing his learning from closely following the Discovery Channel.