Source: U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard medevaced a man after he was reportedly bitten by a shark northwest of Santa Rosa Island, Saturday.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., a good Samaritan aboard the Jean Marie notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Long Beach watchstanders of a 37-year-old man who had been bitten by a shark while surfing near Santa Rosa Island and that a tourniquet had been placed on the man’s leg to prevent further blood loss.
Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco deployed Forward Operating Base Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor boat crew with an embarked Ventura County paramedic.
Approximately an hour later, the helicopter crew arrived on scene, hoisted the man into the helicopter and transported him to the Santa Barbara Airport where emergency medical technicians were waiting.
“This was the best possible outcome to a truly terrifying situation,” said Lt. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble, the Coast Guard Sector-Los Angeles Long Beach command duty officer. “This individual was fortunate to be with a buddy who was able to communicate their position to the Coast Guard. We are all happy that he will be able to be with his family in time for the holidays.”
The patient was reported to be in stable condition.
Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco FOB Mugu medevacs shark bite victim to saftey and transports him to Santa Barbara Airport where EMTs awaited. pic.twitter.com/zyDewiQWpU
— USCG Los Angeles (@USCGLosAngeles) December 22, 2019
Surfing where there are seals is never a good idea.
What? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I heard there are Great Whites patrolling the waters off our Channel Islands. But . . . Wait. See that? Waves. I hear their Siren call. I shall don my trusty Magic Wetsuit, and although I know from beneath that my board resembles the outline of a Seal or Sea Lion, I shall paddle over . . . Hmm. Anyone else hear that ominous dah-dah-dah-dah music playing? Just me? Well all right, then. Here we go. Nothing shall keep me from my . . .
You are more likely to get killed downtown Santa Barbara,commuting to your job from north county or Carp, or any other waste of time, than surfing the islands.
Stay out of the water,it’s better for the rest of us
TMFPS
Surfing places like that is worth the risk.