A young shark attack survivor lifted up the spirits of his family despite going through a traumatic incident. He also lost a big part of his leg due to a large shark bite.
The 10-year-old boy was on vacation with his family when an 8-foot shark bit him. Fortunately, the child remained cheerful and happy even after the horrible incident caused him almost lose his leg.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Young Shark Attack Survivor Remains Cheerful Despite Losing His Leg
- How to Maintain the Safety of Kids at the Beach
During holidays, people look for beaches where the whole family can enjoy themselves. It is because relaxing places like beaches are the perfect areas which parents would enjoy without distractions from work.
Beach helps people relax their minds. Just the sound and aroma could immediately make a person feel better. While a trip to the beach should be fun, people planning their beach trips should still consider the dangers.
Young Shark Attack Survivor Remains Cheerful Despite Incident
A 10-year-old boy in Florida, USA, lost a part of his leg when a shark bit him. During that time, Jameson Reeder Jr was on vacation with his family in Florida. He was snorkeling in a shallow reed in the Florida Keys with the other members of his family.
He was enjoying the day with his parents, two brothers, and sister. No one expected that “a very traumatic event” could happen when they intend to have fun with one another.
An 8-Foot Bull Shark Attacked the Boy
Image Source: iStock
At first, sharks seem harmless because they often avoid humans. The fame of the “Baby Shark” song also lessened the fear of swimming with sharks for some children.
However, this wasn’t the case for 10-year-old Jameson Reeder Jr and his family. On the 14th of August, his uncle posted on a social media account regarding the shark attack incident.
According to him, an 8-foot bull shark attacked his nephew and his family at the beach. However, the shark bite ultimately injured Jameson below his knee.
Tragic Event Unfolded While He Was Snorkelling
The boy screamed for help after sustaining a large shark bite. Fortunately, he manages to maintain a grip on a pool noodle to keep the shark from dragging him into the water.
Eventually, his family pulled him to safety while he held on to the floater. They then drove the boat back to shore to avoid the shark from causing further injuries.
Other family members immediately wrapped his leg so that it could stop the bleeding. The child tried to maintain consciousness while his family tried to find help from people nearby.
The parents of the young shark attack survivor then decided to call the attention of the boat near them. Luckily, someone in the nearby boat happened to be a nurse.
Aside from that, the boat was also quick to respond, and they were able to help the family take the boy to the shore. He was then airlifted to a hospital, which took him less than an hour after the incident happened.
The Boy Remains Cheerful After Surgery
“It’s still a miracle he’s still alive,” says the doctor who attended to Jameson.
To survive the shark bite he sustained, the young shark attack survivor needed 5 quarts of blood.
At present, Jameson is already out of surgery and is in the process of recovery. Jameson’s family constantly prayed for his recovery while they waited for news of his surgery. The boy lost a big chunk of his leg due to the incident.
Despite the horrible incident that happened to him, Jameson remained cheerful or “in good spirits.” Fortunately, what happened to Jameson added to other miraculous shark attack survivors’ stories.
Image Source: iStock
How to Maintain the Safety of Kids at the Beach
People, especially children, look forward to holidays and go for some outdoor activities. However, we cannot deny that the environment outside of the house could sometimes be dangerous.
While a trip to the beach with the whole family is fun and exciting, it would still be best to ensure everybody’s safety. Parents should always keep in mind that kids need extra guidance, especially when they are at the beach.
Here are the things parents can do to ensure their children’s safety:
- Warning signs. Both parents and children need to know the importance of paying attention to the warning signs.
- Lifesavers. Parents should know that beaches patrolled by lifesavers are safer for children. They must teach their kids to stay in areas where they could quickly get help.
- Know the potential risks. It would be better for parents to teach their kids about the potential dangers at the beach. It includes big waves, dumbing waves, and a powerful undertow.
Kids should also be careful playing on rocks in the water. - Proper swimming attire. Children should wear appropriate swimming attire and footwear. This will help them swim properly and avoid injuries.
- Know the dangers of sea creatures. Parents need to research about the sea creatures they might encounter at the beach. It would be better to teach kids to leave sea creatures alone to avoid the risk of stings or bites.
- Never take your eyes off children in, on or around water. Children need constant supervision while at the beach.
This article has been republished with the permission of theAsianparent Singapore.