“…but you don’t have to come back” is often considered the unofficial motto of my former branch of service.
In this case however, I can understand why a rescue swimmer would be hesitant to enter the water.
Basically, some guy did an open water dive with sharks in waters that had been chummed, and shock of all shocks, was bitten by a shark. The crew of the dive boat calls the Coast Guard with a medical emergency/mayday, and based off their location (50 miles off the coast) they were probably air evac’d out of there.
I’m sorry that the guy died, but honestly, you go open water diving with hungry sharks in bloody waters - don’t be surprised if you get bitten.
Although this does stand in support of the theory that without stupid people, Coasties would be out of job.
on Feb 27th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I did a 3-month stint as a contractor at TISCOM Alexandria (also home of the parade team; made for some interesting contrasts).
Y’all have the most interesting sea stories.
on Feb 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Thank you for your service, Coastie. The local Coast Guard helicopter unit sorties out of the nearby airport in the SF Bay Area. I am amazed at how often I hear them rushing to the trouble (lots of idiots around here). Thanks again.