In the news this week, a 58 year old surfer "prayed to God" for the shark to let go, but it didn't. He ended up relying on his own cool head and strength, and then thanked the other surfers for their help which likely saved his life. For once, a survivor of a gruesome attack didn't "thank God" for letting him live.
After showing the clip on the news for a day where he says he "prayed to God" and then ended up thanking his fellow surfers instead, funny thing, the news stations are no longer playing his interview from his hospital bed, just comments from his son now. Maybe someone complained that his comment seemed like a blasphemous remark.
Maybe, for once, a believer has come to realize it's the humans around him, the emergency personnel, doctors and his own resolve to survive who are to thank, rather than God. He ended up losing his foot, but seems in good spirits for his recovery.
Edit: Oops!! I posted too soon. I changed the channel and the other news source ended the story with his comment that not only is he thanking the surfers who are his heroes, since they worked quickly to come to his aid and put a tourniquet on his leg... he ended the interview by saying his "faith in God" will see him through his recovery. Oh well, that's more in keeping with the stories they share in the news.
[hawaiinewsnow.com]shark-bite-remains-hospitalized-embraces-challenges-he-will-face-ahead/
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. . . you have a fear of sharks ?
GET OVER IT !
There are about 10 deaths-by-shark per year orldwide . . .
[worldanimalfoundation.org]shark-attack-statistics/
In the US alone, there are way MORE from bee stings :
[cdc.gov]
[cdc.gov]
[worldanimalfoundation.org]shark-attack-statistics/
FearlessFly
Level 9
Apr 13, 2023
1
Nope! I don't go in water deep enough for sharks. I stay in the shallow end of the ocean. I have a fear of huge waves, crashing surf, strong currents, and with good reason. Don't need any thoughts of shark bites to add to that fear of drowning! I manage to get by without jelly fish stings or stepping on fish hooks, and that's about all I can watch out for at this time. 
I've learned of plenty of people in my community lose a limb to a shark while surfing, and there have been several people washed out to sea in floods, likely eaten by sharks, since their bodies were never found. There is a reason to put signage up when sharks are sighted close to shore.
I was going to point out that god could be said to have sent the other surfers to his aid after the shark released him. I also did not read the story so might have part of that wrong but where there's a will (for god to get the glory) there's a way.
rainmanjr
Level 8
Apr 13, 2023
2
I've seen several interviews by now shown on TV and he's very clear to thank his fellow surfers, and mentioned that he prayed to God, but it was his own will that allowed him to get the shark to stop. Of course, he might credit God for his own strength, but I kind of saw some things clicking in his head while he told his story. Seems the TV station kept editing his story down until they deleted the praying to God part and God's failure, and ending it instead with his faith to see him through his recovery. Gotta wonder if that is a bit of a spin or if he was perhaps asked about his faith to get that last quote. Oh well. Some of us viewers likely caught his first version of the story.
Interesting that despite realising god wasn’t the one responsible for his rescue from the shark which he acknowledged by thanking his rescuers and not god…that he now reverts to stereotypical believer form, by saying he hopes his faith in god will see him through. His faith is still unshaken even though his faith in god was found wanting in his time of need…so illogical, but not surprising in the least!
Marionville
Level 10
Apr 13, 2023
4
He probably thanked god for sending the rescuers..
@ASTRALMAX I’m sure he did!
Yes, I was struck by how he had mentioned that he prayed to God, but it was his fellow surfing buddies who ended up being his heroes and saved his life. His faith seems to be what he feels will see him through his recovery. Small steps, he didn't thank God for saving his life, but his human friends. First time I'd seen that said on TV by a believer.
Years ago my wife and I were at Hanauma Bay on the Island of Oʻahu. They were just getting into the stringent visitor rules that I hope they continue to push (it was that long ago).
People would intentionally or accidentally feed the smaller fish and of course the bigger fish would end up coming in.
Our friend Laurie grew up in Daytona Beach Florida and she is an excellent swimmer. At Hanauma we had snorkel masks so we could watch the fish and Laurie kept drifting further and further out until she looked around and suddenly realized that every fish she could see was bigger than she was!
Ok... She decided it was maybe time to come in.
She was a bit shaky when she got back to the beach. She couldn't say for sure how much danger she might have been in but it certainly scared her.
The first picture is from a different trip, a cruise. But the other two are from Hawaii. The younger girls are Laurie's daughters.
RichCC
Level 8
Apr 13, 2023
1
Great photos! I have yet to snorkel at Haunama Bay. Yes, they are still working toward lessening the visitors there. It's currently open 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and now they are thinking of closing it 2 days a week and shortening the hours too.
Today, I saw on the news that they are gluing plugs of new coral to the failing reef, in an effort to bring the reef back.
We can sure tell that it is indeed the over tourism that is harming the coral reefs. During the height of the pandemic when we had near zero visitors, our ocean water was so clear, the reef was coming back. Didn't need a snorkel to see the fish. It was wonderful! Whether it's sunscreen, boat fuel, or just disturbing the fish habitats, I don't know, but limiting visitors is the approach they're going for.
@Julie808
Another place we've gone is Xcaret Park in Mexico south of Cancun. There in some ways they were a little more proactive -- when you went in the gate they confiscated your sunscreen and replaced with it with packets of their own biofriendly preference.
We don't do cruises any more. We got tired of watching how the crews were treated -- let alone the ocean. One time in Puerto Rico we helped a lady with her bags and her elderly father -- "But you guys are nice. Americans are never nice."
These pictures are Laurie at Costa Maya and a place called the Cock and Bull in Belize.
I snorkeled for an hour there, the day before our cruise began, and got a (back) sunburn that lasted for the entire ten day cruise. I was lucky it wasn't third degree.
@rainmanjr I seldom use sunscreen in the water, preferring to just wear a rash guard which protects from the sun better than sunscreen and doesn't affect the sea life. Of course, since I live in a sunny climate I limit my time in the sun as a matter of course. Hats and sleeves are my friend if I have to be out in the sun. I'm good at finding shade
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