Florida boat captain rescues diver after bull shark attack

A 40-year-old spearfisherman survived a severe bull shark attack near Pensacola, Florida, on Tuesday. The shark, estimated to weigh approximately 136 kilograms, attacked the man as he was finishing his final dive of the day.

Boat captain Jacob Johnson jumped into the water to assist the victim after hearing cries for help. Johnson and the other divers on board worked together to pull the injured man back onto the vessel. To control heavy bleeding and a punctured artery, the group used improvised tourniquets made from clothing and plastic zip ties, along with a specialized hemostatic powder.

The victim was airlifted to a hospital for surgery. While his recovery is expected to take several months, medical professionals anticipate a full recovery. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that bull sharks are among the species most frequently involved in human attacks.