'I've never hit anything so hard': What it's like to be attacked by a shark
Peter Smith's life changed forever during the last hour of his holiday in Tobago when he decided to take a dip in the ocean. He recalls the conditions were perfect for swimming, standing waist-deep in the water without a thought about the rarity of shark attacks in the region.
Suddenly, a heavy object struck his leg, revealing a large bull shark. You're talking maybe 10 foot. That's when your brain works at 1,000 miles an hour, said Smith, who immediately recognized the danger. A fierce struggle ensued as he fought back against the predator, meaning to defend himself from the jaws that had clamped onto his body.
Despite his defensive efforts, the shark managed to inflict multiple injuries—deep lacerations to his leg, stomach, and arm, leading to severe blood loss.
Fortunately, nearby friends and beachgoers raised the alarm and assisted in getting Smith out of the water just in time. His wife Joanna reached the beach, traumatized but relieved he was being helped.
Smith was immediately transported to the only hospital on Tobago, but the severity of his wounds necessitated evacuation to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for specialized treatment. Over several weeks, he underwent numerous surgeries including a surprising detail: a special membrane applied to his injuries was sourced from shark tissue, resulting in a bit of irony he can now laugh about.
Today, although he faces ongoing recovery challenges, with nerve damage affecting his arm and a long journey ahead for full mobility, Peter remains grateful. His experience shaped a belief that living in fear after surviving such an ordeal serves no purpose. At one stage it looked like I wasn't going to have any limbs left, he reflects. But at least I have mobility issues. At least I have limbs. What's the point in surviving a shark attack if you're going to live the rest of your life in fear? He looks fondly back on Tobago and expresses hope for future visits, proving that resilience and a positive outlook can prevail even against the most harrowing of circumstances.
