A Florida man has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home after he was bitten by a shark this week.
The 33-year-old Orlando man, Bryan Olivares, was bitten by a shark on Monday afternoon at Daytona Beach. So far this year, Olivares is the 6th person who has been attacked by a shark in Volusia County. He said he felt a sharp pain in his foot while jumping waves with his family.
“I felt like a bump something touches me and not even a second later I felt something that hurts,” Olivares told FOX35 News.
Olivares rushed to shore, passed out, and then was put in an ambulance and sent to the hospital where he had to have surgery to repair his tendons.
“Like something that you cut with a knife,” said Olivares. “That’s the feeling and burning.”
According to shark experts, about ten shark attacks usually occur in Volusia County every year and about 25 in Florida annually with the peak months being in August and September. A shark expert told Fox35 that it’s key to swim with friends.
“When you’re in a group of people it’s harder for sharks to pick on one person, they get confused by lots of people. And, also if there’s more than one of you and someone gets in trouble someone is there to help you,” said Gavin Naylor, the Director of the Florida Program for Shark Research.
Olivares is grateful his condition wasn’t critical and that he came home in one piece.
“I feel lucky,” said Olivares. “I feel lucky, and I’m glad I’m complete and that I’m not missing any limbs.”
Furthermore, Olivares is also thankful that he was swimming near a lifeguard because he said he was able to get medical attention right away. He is urging beachgoers to swim near a lifeguard tower.