Drew 0 Posted January 27, 2011 It's been reported that Jim Abernethy was bitten by a Lemon shark Caribbean reef shark (corrected 1/27/11) in the arm on Wed, 26th Jan and medevac to hospital by the Coast Guard. No details have been made available other than a local report: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beac...0,1418873.story I'm so glad Jim is doing ok. As there have been no details given other than the incident, let's try not to speculate and start wild rumors since shark news isn't always portrayed well by news media and we don't want Wetpixel to be quoted in a detrimental way for sharks. So please discuss freely but stick to the facts. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted January 27, 2011 Glad to hear Jim is OK. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jimmy. Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tjsnapper 0 Posted January 27, 2011 I second the speedy recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted January 27, 2011 Here is a link to a post on Jim's Facebook page this evening. Hoping here for a speedy recovery. We need Jim out there. Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted January 27, 2011 Glad he's okay... At least he will be sensationalising the event for the press like some ... Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted January 27, 2011 Knowing Jim; it will not be long before he's back on the Shearwater. I'm looking forward to my next trip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simon Rogerson 0 Posted January 27, 2011 Dean, you might want to chuck a 'not' into that post mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yahsemtough 0 Posted January 27, 2011 Jimmy recover quickly and continue your efforts and cause for the sharks! Cheers Todd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glickle 0 Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) You GO Jim! We are all here for you and in usual Abernethy style you sure got us all excited here last night and delighted to hear the real facts as they have unveloped and your OK. Now on with your great mission! Go get em Jm from all your Plas and supporters . Warmly Gary Edited January 27, 2011 by glickle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted January 28, 2011 (edited) Has anyone heard any more news on this. I will be out at Tiger Beach in a few weeks time on the Dolphin Dream and hope that this incident does not cause any problems with diving with shark in the Bahamas. Stew Edited January 28, 2011 by stewsmith Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted January 28, 2011 Dean, you might want to chuck a 'not' into that post mate. Oh yeah... Whoops!!! Sorry about that. Cheers Simon Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted January 28, 2011 I just spoke to Christina in Jim's office - he's doing fine and chomping at the bit to be released from the hospital and get back in the water. No other details. Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H2Oplanet 0 Posted January 29, 2011 Best to Jimmy from Siobhan and Scott...moving back to FL from NC...hope to see you soon on the ShearWater Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted January 29, 2011 The Palm beach paper released a short blurb on their website with Video; http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/shark-bi...dy-1217209.html Great to see Jim is OK, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) Yes, great to see the arm is OK, and all the fingers are working. I was getting a little worried when I read about the need for airlifting, hospital admission etc. I think behavior of Caribbean Reef Sharks is much more like a pack animal around bait than other sharks. In 2006 at Shark Shootout in the Bahamas, about 5 seconds after this picture was taken I was bitten by this shark in almost the identical area (except left arm) Jim is showing, while holding my camera up to my eye in the middle of bait on the surface. Fortunately all I had was 5 or 6 puncture wounds, which bled like stink, but none of which needed stitches. As a hand surgeon though I realized how lucky I was, as one of the puncture wounds could not have been more than a half inch away from my ulnar nerve as it crosses the elbow. Could have really cut short my surgery career (I'm left handed as well). Great to see no permanent damage Jim, just a little nip.... so looking forward to my December Shearwater trip. I know this may be sacrilege to Jim, but I think arm chain mail when working close to bait is not a bad idea. Edited January 29, 2011 by loftus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted January 29, 2011 Here is the press conference video: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted January 29, 2011 In 2006 at Shark Shootout in the Bahamas, about 5 seconds after this picture was taken I was bitten by this shark in almost the identical area (except left arm) Jim is showing, while holding my camera up to my eye in the middle of bait on the surface. Fortunately all I had was 5 or 6 puncture wounds, which bled like stink, but none of which needed stitches. Was this on a JASA trip as well Drew Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) No actually Stew that was at Stuart Cove's, a Stephen Frink event / course, no one to blame except me. Edited January 29, 2011 by loftus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmyates 3 Posted January 29, 2011 Sure glad to see that Jim's injuries weren't major. And isn't it just like to him to turn it into a press opportunity to get the word out - turning lemons into lemonaide! Good on ya, Jimmy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted January 30, 2011 Dean, you might want to chuck a 'not' into that post mate. Or maybe 'Not' ... Glad to see some positive shark promotion ... Well done Jim Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TN DIVER 0 Posted January 30, 2011 Im glad there is such great support for Jim's cause because he is doing more than government paid conservationists. I and many more are very thankful for all he does and hope for a speedy recovery. I will have to say the media coverage has been great and the lack of sensationalizing the accident by the media has been impressive! Jim would not have it any other way as the shark had a brain stall and it was a mistake! Speedy recovery Jim ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shark8matt 0 Posted February 5, 2011 I was lucky enough to see Jim at a gallery showing in NYC (Al Vinjamur's simply gorgeous material) last night. While you could see that he didn't have his usual (over) abundance of energy - he still got up in front of everyone and gave a short but eloquent speech on shark conservation. He signed copies of his book "Sharks in Focus" and portion of the proceeds for the event went to support the Shark Research Institute (who I work with). Jim's passion and dedication in the fight to save sharks are an inspiration. I wish we had ten more like him. I would like to thank him and Al for all their support. cheers! - MDP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydianabret 0 Posted February 24, 2011 I do not understand why jim abernathy is still in business. In the past several years, he has had one diver die aften a tiger shark bite him, and now he has been attacked, He is also the rudest man i ever met and so full of himself! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRC 2 Posted February 24, 2011 I do not understand why jim abernathy is still in business. In the past several years, he has had one diver die aften a tiger shark bite him, and now he has been attacked, He is also the rudest man i ever met and so full of himself! Ha - I rest my case me lord...... Paul C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Douglas 16 Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) I do not understand why jim abernathy is still in business. In the past several years, he has had one diver die aften a tiger shark bite him, and now he has been attacked, He is also the rudest man i ever met and so full of himself! What a horrid thing to say. It shows no understanding of diving or the risks that are inherently part of it. As a former skydiving instructor should I not have jumped from the plane because of the chance the chute wouldn't open? If you go to a resort or a dive boat you have a greater chance of hurting yourself on an urchin than you do of getting a shark it. The urchins, scorpian fish and venomous coral are all part of the risks. Same thing for diving with sharks. It is not Jim's fault or his operation that an accident happened. S**T just happens sometimes. Steve Edited February 24, 2011 by steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
