Oregon surfer details shark attack that nearly took his leg
PORTLAND, Ore. -- An Oregon surfer who was attacked by a shark earlier this month says the huge animal felt like “grainy sand paper” as he struggled to free his leg from its mouth.
Joseph Tanner told CBS affiliate KOIN on Wednesday that his entire leg was in the shark’s mouth and he punched its gills to get free.
The 29-year-old was attacked while surfing Oct. 10 near Cannon Beach off the Oregon coast by what experts say was likely a great white shark.
Tanner spent nine days in the hospital and had three surgeries on his leg.
Tanner, a trauma nurse, swam to shore after the attack and instructed others how to tie a tourniquet around his mangled leg. They used the leash of Tanner’s surfboard and square knots for the tourniquet, Oregon State Police said.
But the traumatic incident isn’t slowing Tanner down.
He told KOIN he’d go back to surfing once he is recovered.
He also has some advice for other surfers.
He said surfers should know their blood type, learn how to tie a tourniquet and be aware that the shark population feeds at dusk and dawn.
Warning: Graphic image of Tanner’s injury can be seen below.