Florida Man Survives Bull Shark Attack While Spearfishing

A 24-year-old man from Florida is recovering after a harrowing encounter with a bull shark while spearfishing off the coast of Pensacola Pass. Chance Armand was approximately 20 miles from shore when the incident occurred, resulting in a serious injury to his leg.

On the day of the attack, Armand had just speared a fish and was ascending when he noticed the shadow of an approaching shark. “By the time I realised he wasn’t turning back, it was too late,” he recounted in an interview with local Fox affiliate WALA. Familiar with the presence of sharks in the area, he was caught off guard when the approximately 8-foot bull shark lunged at him.

In an attempt to protect himself, Armand positioned his knee between him and the shark. The animal clamped its jaws down on his knee but, after realizing he was not its target, it swam away. With his leg injured, Armand quickly made his way back to his boat, where his friends sprang into action. They fashioned a makeshift tourniquet using a t-shirt, a speargun band, and a fillet knife to control the bleeding.

Despite the severity of his injury, Armand managed to maintain a sense of humor. He posed for a photo with a bloodied leg, grinning and holding a cap that read “South East Spearfishing.” In a post shared on Facebook, he described the ordeal, writing, “Spicy Bullshark decided he wanted my fish too. Couldn’t have asked for better people to help me out. A routine day can be your last.”

After reaching a safe distance from the water, Armand’s friends called emergency services. First responders transported him to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, where doctors assessed his injuries. Fortunately, they found no damage to his tendons, bones, or arteries, only what they described as a “giant, gnarly flesh wound.”

Reflecting on his experience, Armand expressed gratitude for his survival, stating, “By the grace of God, I’m on the mend.” As he recovers, he is already looking ahead to the upcoming grouper season in September. He has also pledged to take additional safety precautions in the future, including a proper medical kit and tourniquet.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of preparedness while engaging in recreational activities.