12-Year-Old Girl Gets 42 Stitches After Possible Shark Attack in Ocean City

A 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl was hurt because of a shark attack in Ocean City, requiring 42 stitches to close 20 wounds. Everything happened when they were on vacation in Ocean City.

Jordan Prushinski's adrenaline was so high that she didn't realize she'd been beaten by the Sandbar shark until she hobbled out of the water, bleeding. An Annapolis couple on vacation was among those who came to Jordan's aid.

Brooke and Doug Rathell were on vacation with their family when they found themselves in the right location at the right time. Brooke Rathell is a registered nurse, and Doug Rathell is a paramedic with the Annapolis Fire Department.

(Photo : Photo by Wai Siew on Unsplash)

A sandbar shark or also known as Carcharhinus plumbeus is a brownish-gray shark typically found coastal regions' sandy bottoms. These sharks prefer small things as prey, making humans somehow vulnerable to possible attacks if seen.

As a result, the shark is vulnerable to overfishing by fishermen because of increased recreational fishing and increased demand for shark fins and shark meat.

Similar Shark Attack in Miami Florida

Jay Weiskopf, the 9-year-old victim was body surfing on the coasts of Miami alongside her mother when they noticed something was wrong.

"When I pulled him up, I noticed there was just a big chunk of skin missing from his shoulder, and he just said 'ow' and I looked down, and there was about a 4-foot gray shark, just kind of swimming away," said Kristine Weiskopf, the boy's mother.

The small child was taken to the hospital by emergency personnel, where he underwent surgery to close a large wound on his shoulder.

Jay's father feels relieved that the shark did not kill his son.

According to the family, the beach is still accessible, and they are worried that the shark may strike again.

Also read: Ancient Shark Teeth Explains Climate Shift on Antarctica

How to Protect Yourself from Shark Attacks

Sharks rarely attacks, but when they do, they can cause serious and sometimes deadly damage.

Sharks, according to scientists, do not attack people to eat us but rather, they bite into our skin to discover what type of animal we are, like how dogs like to smell new acquaintances, except much more lethal.

Staying away from shark habitats is the most effective method to prevent being harmed. However, if you have unintentionally walked into shark-infested waters, you must have a strategy in place.

According to experts, swimming in a group and staying near to shore are two simple methods to escape a shark attack. You can also prevent an assault by avoiding wearing something bright or flashy.

Rapid movements and splashing would entice the shark even more. Maintain eye contact if you noticed the animal and it spotted you. Sharks will feel less comfortable if you keep an eye on them when they circle behind you to take a bite. Maintain your cool and gently back away.

If you can't get out of the water immediately quickly, attempt to limit the shark's available attack angles. Keep your feet on the ground if the water is shallow enough.

Back up slowly against a reef, piling, rock outcropping, or other solid barrier so the shark cannot loop around behind you. This way, you just must fight against assaults that are directly in front of you.

If none of the methods are practical, you should fight back and target the shark's face and gills. If you are attacked, your best option is to provide the shark with a strong, believable threat.
A severe hit to the shark's gills, eyes, or snout (end of its nose) will usually cause it to flee. These are the shark's sole vulnerable spots.

Also read: Stranded Killer Whale Caught Between Rocks, Bystanders Pour Water Until It's Free