Captain Jacob Johnson was driving a boat with three amateur divers on a diving trip about 48 kilometers from the Emerald Coast in Florida (USA), when an unexpected incident occurred on the last Tuesday (9/1). The trip itinerary changed abruptly when one of the divers, a 40-year-old man, was attacked by a shark.
Jacob told Fox 10 News that he was helping one of the divers remove their equipment when he heard cries for help. "Help, help. I've been bitten," the man said. The captain explained that he looked over the side of the boat thinking it was a joke, thinking the man had been bitten by a hogfish, but soon realized he was surrounded by blood.
The man suffered serious injuries to both forearms and could not climb back onto the boat due to the injuries. The shark was still nearby at the time, representing an immediate threat. The captain acted quickly to assist the injured diver.
According to Jacob, there was no time for emotions or for a critical risk analysis. "I simply jumped into the water," he said. The captain quickly removed the diving equipment from the man to help him climb back onto the boat.
