Whale of a story!

Big Jim woulda put it on his game clip 

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/06/11/lobster-diver-swallowed-by-whale-cape-cod-michael-packard/

well in this case the question of swallow or spit has been answered 

Almost sounds like the whale was trying to rescue the diver.  Perhaps it thought the diver was in trouble and returned him to the surface.  I've heard of dolphins helping people.