University of Florida News

Shark bite video

Supers:
Gainesville, FL
Dr. Ashley Lentz/UF surgeon

Nat sound: “This is a classic injury from a shark bite.”

TRAUMA DOCTORS COULD SOON ASSESS SHARK BITES THE SAME WAY THEY DIAGNOSE A FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE BURN. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCHERS HAVE DEVELOPED A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SHARK BITE SEVERITY SCALE.

Lentz: “A level one injury is a very small laceration, results in a very small amount of blood lose. However, the level five injury is a very significant injury that may result in severe damage to a blood vessel, a large blood vessel that results in very rapid blood lose and death.” (:19)

ON AVERAGE, SHARKS BITE ABOUT SIXTY PEOPLE EACH YEAR AROUND THE WORLD, AND MOST ATTACKS OCCUR IN FLORIDA WATERS. THE SCALE’S DESIGNED TO GIVE EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDERS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE SHARK BITES AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THAT THE MAJORITY OF SHARK ATTACKS ARE NOT DEADLY.

Lentz: “Many people think that shark attacks are catastrophic, that is just not true. The reality of shark attacks are very small cuts, abrasions, bruises, things of that nature, that quickly mended.” (:11)

DR. LENTZ CALLS THE SCALE A STARTING POINT IN AN ATTEMPT TO EDUCATE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND TEACH THEM HOW TO CARE FOR SKARK BITES.

Note: Downloadable videos are encoded at 720x486 using the Photo-JPEG codec. Audio is encoded at 44.1 kHz and unmixed.