US Scuba Diver - Shark Attack

[ajduplessis]

Durban South Africa - A United States scuba diver was mauled in a shark attack off the Rocky Bay coast near Durban on Tuesday, Netcare 911 said.

"Both his hands and his left leg were badly mauled," said spokesperson Chris Botha.

He said paramedics stabilised the 22-year-old man before he was airlifted to the Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

The man was reportedly diving for scientific research when he was attacked just after noon.

 

[VooDooGasMan]

For it to attack a scuba diver he must have been collecting something the shark wanted to eat or relative to that.

 

[InTheDrink]

For it to attack a scuba diver he must have been collecting something the shark wanted to eat or relative to that.

Says who? You? Bit premature don't you think?

Any ID on the shark? They have Bulls, Tigers, Black Tips and others around Duban. Would be VERY interested to find out what shark and what context.

Thanks,
John

 

[InTheDrink]

double post

 

[InTheDrink]

Durban South Africa - A United States scuba diver was mauled in a shark attack off the Rocky Bay coast near Durban on Tuesday, Netcare 911 said.

"Both his hands and his left leg were badly mauled," said spokesperson Chris Botha.

He said paramedics stabilised the 22-year-old man before he was airlifted to the Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

The man was reportedly diving for scientific research when he was attacked just after noon.

Conjecture very tempting. I did baited dives at Aliwal Shoals and Protea Banks late last year. Some pretty up close encounters. I can see how it could get out of hand. That said, most of the accidents have been boat launch and re-entry related or lost divers. I'm not aware of any injuries/fatalities due to shark interaction (but can see how it could occur). Like I say, pure conjecture, the dive may not even be at any of these areas. If you get any more info I'd be very interested to learn more.

Thanks,
John

 

[Sharks at Aliwal]

The diver was launching out of rocky bay to the shark diving area at awliwal shoal. What I know so far is that he was bitten three or four times by a dusky shark and is in a critical condition. Not sure exactly what they were doing but reports so far say that they might have been with sardines

 

[Deefstes]

US man attacked by shark off KZN coast: News24: South Africa: News

Very little information is available other than that he "was reportedly diving for scientific research when he was attacked". This is the middle of the Sardine Run though so chances are that his scientific research pertained to the sardine run.

 

[Sharks at Aliwal]

He was on a normal baited shark dive when he was bitten by a dusky shark. As far as I am aware there was no scientific angle and there were definitely no sardines around. In the past 10 years of baited dives this is a first time this has happened and we can all hope he pulls through.

 

[Sharks at Aliwal]

Sorry have found out that there were no sardines around at the time of the attack.

 

[ajduplessis]

Would love to understand how this happened. I love diving sharks around Umkomaas. I have always been of the opinion that sharks would not attack scuba divers while diving (floating on the surface - different story). Maybe I have to relook the way I think about this.

Very rare event indeed.