Bethany Stays Focused

The truth about any animal attack is that predicting an occurrence is nearly impossible. The best defense against an attack is knowledge. If there have been shark sightings on a particular beach, it is something that surfers and swimmers should know. Hamilton's attack was the fourth time in 20 years that a Kauai surfer lost a limb to a shark. Though the incidence is rare, one of the keys to survival is being aware of potential dangers.

The best defense against a shark attack is a good offense. The following measures, from the U.S. Department of Land and Natural Resources, can reduce the risk of being bitten by a shark:


Photo courtesy Destination Surf
A surf leash like this was used as a tourniquet for Bethany's arm
  • Don't swim alone
  • Swim in guarded areas
  • Avoid swimming at dusk
  • Don't swim with bleeding wounds
  • Avoid murky water
  • Don't wear bright jewelry or highly contrasting colors
  • Refrain from excessive splashing
  • Don't swim if sharks are known to be present
  • Be alert if turtles and fish are fleeing the area
  • Remove speared fish from the water
  • Get out of water if dolphins are jumpy
Most shark attacks are a surprise -- but Hamilton was able to stay focused after the attack. Instead of being overwhelmed by the incident, Bethany kept her composure and swam for help. The quick thinking of those around her proved vital. Alana's dad, Holt, used a surf leash to apply a tourniquet to stop Bethany's bleeding. Taking quick action is important -- in a survival situation, the quicker a victim gets help, the better the chances of survival.

Fortunately, the loss of Hamilton's arm has not diminished her dreams, she has simply changed her focus. Hamilton plans to pursue a career in photography, standing on the other side of the camera when an accident happens.

For more information about Bethany's survival or any of these other amazing stories, check out the links on the following page.