A Florida man is in critical condition after sustaining a "severe" shark bite to his right arm while on his vessel. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office responded to a distress call and found the man bleeding profusely, having lost a significant amount of blood.
A Nassau County man's leisurely boat ride turned into a life-threatening encounter when he was attacked by a shark on Friday morning. According to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. when the man was aboard his vessel and suffered a severe bite to his right arm.
Florida Man Suffers Critical Shark Bite, Airlifted to Hospital
Swift action by a deputy who boarded the vessel and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding proved crucial in stabilizing the victim. With the tourniquet in place, the deputy piloted the boat to the Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp, where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue was waiting.
The victim was then airlifted to UF hospital nearby, where he remains in critical condition but is alert and recovering. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office has not yet released an official incident report, but the incident underscores the inherent dangers of swimming or boating in waters where sharks are known to inhabit.
Florida Man Suffers Critical Shark Bite, Airlifted to Hospital
Shark attacks in Florida are relatively common, with the state accounting for a significant proportion of unprovoked shark attacks in the United States. In 2022, there were 28 reported shark attacks in Florida, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File.
To minimize the risk of shark attacks, experts recommend swimming in designated areas, avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, and not entering the water with open wounds or while bleeding. Boaters should also be aware of their surroundings and avoid areas where sharks are known to congregate.
Florida Man Suffers Critical Shark Bite, Airlifted to Hospital
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office's prompt response and life-saving actions were instrumental in mitigating the severity of the victim's injuries and providing him with the best chance at a full recovery. The incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant when venturing into shark-inhabited waters and to take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of attack.
