Shark attack at Bean Hollow - 7/21/07

Dan, I am very happy you are OK.  I was out there on Wed. and thought I saw a big shadow moving by my Yak.  It was down deep in the water. I just thought it was all in my mind or my eyes were playing tricks on me.

I read where the guy that got attacked in Hawaii a few days, ago.  The guy was just wading. Shark bit his leg. It was a Tiger Shark. Someone said (Expert on Sharks, maybe?) that sharks do not know what they can eat.  The only way for them to find out is to take a bite out of something.

Hopefully, our shark knows that Kayaks don't taste good.

I think I will be staying away from the "Bean" for a while.  Good thing the wind is back up this week.

Ken Kickfish

that "smile" tells it all...that's the "i just stole a cookie from the cookie jar, and got away with it smile"...

so glad worked out and everyone's ok. Maybe i'll fish the bay today

Holy Crap!

Congratulations on dodging a bullet, Dan.  Glad you're ok.

I can't believe how well you held it together.  You da man.

Time to have a t-shirt printed:  "I survived a GWS attack at Bean Hollow."

Randy

Regarding what Angel said about the prank announcement on the VHF.  When I heard it I said to myself "OK, who's messing around now?"  Off on the horizon there was the Queen of Hearts and a few PBs but I figured they knew better so I kissed it off.  A short time later came the distress call from Dan and I could hear him breathing hard and asking for help...either he's a good actor or this boy's in trouble.  I think a bunch of us asked at the same time "where are you?"  We all started scanning the horizon and didn't see anything and hoped for the best.  When the news about the attack came over the radio and we heard that he was OK then there was relief for a second.  It only lasted a second because the next thought was "the landlord is looking for something to munch on".  Here's the time where you wish those pesky seals would be around.

On the lighter side, as we're at the BBQ we can see ChuckE come in for a landing  (keep in mind Dan's Adventure is red).  OMG ChuckE is driving his "RED" adventure and he's wearing a bright RED baseball hat.  Considering the preference of the GWS I think ChuckE was pushing his luck.  I see "candy apple red" in a different perspective now.

Dan, I give you credit for keeping your focus and getting out of that situation.  You didn't fall apart and managed to get yourself and your mangled yak back to shore.  Mucho props to you man!  

Gary

Glad your ok, Dan! Wow, it knocked you out of the yak?!!! That must have been a world record re-entry, like a nano-second!! It must have been the blood red yak ' cause great whites dont attack kayaks, right?! Not that this thread could be jacked, but I caught a big ling at muir yesterday with very fresh, and shark looking, bites. Got great pics, will post report as soon as I finish with the smoker. Got about 25 lbs of fish to smoke today...mmm...

Wow!  Dan, you just experienced one of the Earth's most perfect creatures, and my worst nightmare.  Sounds like your cool head prevailed allowing you to quickly self rescue and get to the beach unscathed.  I'll chime in and also request a first hand write up... first hand tips on how to keep it together should the worst ever occur to any of us could help save a life.

Very, very, very glad to hear you are OK!

Backcountry

while talking smack on the radio is cool there should be a limit

A short time later came the distress call from Dan and I could hear him breathing hard and asking for help...either he's a good actor or this boy's in trouble.

 

I agree with Angel. I think it's a good idea to avoid mimicking anything that might be construed as a danger or distress call on the radios.  I didn't hear Dan's first call, but later, when I heard Joel's call, I had to call back and verify that it was serious.  The fact that our first thought is to not take it seriously indicates what we've come to expect over the radio.  Joel said that he had heard the first call but thought maybe it was someone asking for help with landing a fish.

With something like a shark injury, time is of the essance.  Since the gashing nature of the wounds lead to massive blood loss the need to control the bleeding and transport for medical care is critical.  

As I understand it, Dan was alone at the time of the attack. If Dan hand been unable to come in under his own power because of a significant injury, he would have exanguinated in short order without immediate assistance.  His only hope would be the radio unless he could flag down someone quickly.  It really would have been a tragedy if he had been injured and bled to death so near the beach with so many potential rescuers all around.

Perhaps, going forward, we need to have some ideas about how we would communicate such an incident in the future.

e.g. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, This is Dan at 37 13 32.59/122 24 31.75.  I have just experienced a shark attack and need immediate assistance!

I think we all recognize that you aren't joking when you preface with "Mayday".  Also, in a real attack, it would not be a bad idea to have the Coast Guard monitoring your communications incase air transport is needed, especially since our cellphones were blacked out there.

An eyewitness account?  I was one of the newbie yakers about 50m away from Dan when a call for help was faintly heard in the distance, followed by a big splash in the water next to Dan’s yak.  There were probably 6 to 8 kayakers all scattered about in the usual fishing spot, a mile out northwest of the beach.  The other veteran yakers were no where to be seen as they all headed south to try their new fishing spots.  I looked around to see if other yakers heard and saw the same thing, not thinking more than maybe a big fish was caught and maybe Dan needed assistance with the netting.  I started to paddle in the direction but gave up shortly as I noticed the action stopped and Dan wasn’t holding any fishing pole; fish got away. 
Within seconds later, I heard Andy (another newbie with his first time out ever on his new yellow P15, hope I got your name correct) asked whether Dan was ok and if he needed help.  I looked over again and saw beyond the swells a yak drifting without anyone on it.  Andy quickly paddled over and I followed.  Not much time passed that I saw Dan got back in the yak.  At that moment, I was impressed at how much experience Dan must have had with self-rescuing and I thought to myself that I needed to learn this skill if the needs arrive. 
I eased up on the paddling as I saw Andy was close to Dan and everything seemed to be fine.  Then I saw Dan was in the water again and Andy was trying to help him get back on.  Again at the moment, I thought to myself one also needs to know how to provide assistance to others in rescuing from a kayak.  When I got there, Dan was already back on his kayak.  A big shark bite mark could be seen on the upper part of the bow, probably 20” in diameter and big enough to swallow a watermelon.   Some of the teeth mark actually punctured through the plastic.  Luckily those bite marks were located in the upper part of the kayak, otherwise Dan’s yak would be taking in a lot more water.  It goes without saying that Dan did an excellent job in self rescuing and for staying focus and composed throughout the ordeal. Obviously, I also called it the day right then and there and followed Dan back in, as did Andy.
Maybe it's time for me to try the lake and learn some self rescuing before heading out the big blue again. 

SAL (Steven A Lam)

All really good things to think about there Marmite...

  Especially the Air Transport that will give highly skilled/ and advanced medicine to the scene....

  Do not be SHY about calling for this equipment..... Even the hypothermia could be deadly...

  Hopfully H2oSpider will chime in on this to further elaborate how necessary this service is for us.....

 And not to be shy on Calling for it.....  Danglin

Dan, glad to hear you are ok.  When Joel called to tell me the story I didn't believe him.  Only afte a few minutes did it sink in.  I guess we figured Bean to be the place if any south of the gate.  Two hobies?  Chucke, I'm not sure I want to sacrafice my life for speed .

Jason

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=9184.msg81235#msg81235

Food for thought on radio procedures for those who would like to change the way we communicate on the water.

You guys without floatation in your yaks.  May want to get some.  I use about 15 to 18 pool noodles in mine.  May take a while to get back to land.  But, I know it won't sink.

Ken kickfish

Wow, this event is already being talked about by yak-fishers in Australia!  Check out the home page and "latest news" for July 22, 2007.

http://www.yakabout.com.au/home/

  The other veteran yakers were no where to be seen as they all headed south to try their new fishing spots. 
SAL (Steven A Lam)

Sal, I had been drifting with Dan just prior to this incident. Maybe only having a little over 1yr. of this activity still makes me a newbie but understand that no one was at fault or could have prevented this incident and I must say that you pointing out that no veterans could be seen around isn't the point. I was in visual range of Dan and had been for quit a while although I was without communication due to my VHF malfunctioning while out there and had let several people know that I was without a VHF.

The point is that Dan is safe and did the things that he needed to do to, save himself. If your going out thinking that a veteran is going to come in and save the day,"DON'T" because that my friend is a deadly assumption. Go get schooled by the pro's (certified) on self rescue,beach launch and landing or even first aid. I have and I know Dan has too as well as several others of us who have attended the classes togeather.
Nothing personal dude, but keep the finger pointing or suggestion thereof out of  it until you youself have had the time to learn the sport and all the fragility's involved.There are those of us who have taken the time/expense and made the effort for our own self recue including Dan which is up to the individual.
So welcome aboard and I hope that we can paddle togeather in the near future. Frankfishing

frank, you are way too sensitive here. I know you are jealous of Dan. him catching that big fish and all.

it's so cool that he used a 16 foot lure and got a hit!

But this dude (SAL) stepped up and gave a super valuable first person account.

his post is the single best one so far.

So, chill. let people get the info out there.

J