While Shark Week plays on television screens, real life shark attack bites are being reported in Florida.
A man in his 40s was attacked by a shark July 22 off Hollywood Beach, just north of Miami. The unidentified male was off the 4100 block of Ocean Drive when witness reported hearing screaming. The man exited the water with a wound to his torso. Good Samaritans administered first aid and dialed 911.
Hollywood Fire Rescue reported to the scene around 3 p.m., applied a tourniquet and transported the man to the hospital. His current status is unknown and beaches were closed for 30 minutes.
A teen was bitten by a shark off New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Sam Hollis, 18, was sharing his love of surfing with a student July 18 when he had a run in with a shark.
The surf instructor was knocked off his board by a wave and quickly hopped back on the board, leaving his feet dangling in the water. As he was situating himself a shark grabbed his left foot and drug him into the water. Thinking instinctively, he kicked the shark causing it to release its grip. He quickly paddled to shore where lifeguards set him in a deck chair until paramedics arrived.
He was taken to the hospital where he was sewn back up and released two days later. He needs a medical device to walk, but is making a rapid recovery.
Despite his injury, he plans on getting back in the water as soon as possible. Noting that he loves being in the ocean and the minor risk of a shark injury is not worth staying on the beach.
New Smyrna Beach is known as the shark bite capitol of the world and earlier this month another surfer found out why.
Matthew Bender, 40, said a prayer and asked God to keep him safe when he paddled out July 6. He caught two waves around 3 p.m. and was paddling out for his third when a shark grabbed his right arm.
Bender described a large pressure as if his arm was caught in a bear trap and instantly knew he had just been bitten by a shark. His sense was confirmed when he looked down to see a shark sharking its head with his arm in its mouth.
Once the shark let go, Bender began paddling in and was met by a 16-year-old and her father who came to help. He held his right arm over his head, which had a 10-inch wound, to slow the blood before using the girls surf leash as a tourniquet.
He was taken to hospital where doctors performed surgery to reattach his torn tendons, nerves and muscles. Thankfully he is still able to move his finger and credits God with saving his life.
Bender plans on getting back in the water after he heals.
A snorkeler was bitten on the arm off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Emily Ross was snorkeling near the pier off Lauderdale-by-the-sea May 27 when she was bitten by a shark.
She was in waist deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming and then a shark grabbed her left arm.
The Las Vegas resident described seeing chunks of her flesh floating in the water along with a pool of blood similar to those seen in shark attack movies.
She realized that she had to make a conscious decision to stay alert as if she passed out, she would drown. With a rush of adrenaline she ran back to shore with another woman.
Once back on shore a former nurse named Kim and a man named Ivan used beach towels as tourniquets. Emergency personal took Ross to the Broward Health Medical Center where doctors repaired the tendons in her hand during a seven hour surgery.
Ross carries a lot of trauma and questioned if the event could have been prevented or the injuries lessened if lifeguards had been present. She does not know if or how much movement she will regain in her hand.
Tracking Sharks recommends swimming at beaches where lifeguards are present and to avoid piers if anglers are present.
All locations have been marked on the 2025 Shark Attack Map
