00.00 - 00.25 Camera 1
00.25 - 00.52 Camera 2
00.53- 2.12 Camera 2 slow motion
I am a little bit annoyed with myself on this dive as I got myself into a potential situation. I speared the lionfish under the ledge and when I tried to turn and point the lion fish toward the sharks I found myself stuck under the ledge with no escape route. When things get uncertain my usual safety maneuver is to point the spear down and breath and ascend up and out of the situation. On this occasion I found myself stuck under the ledge and I could not ascend up.. The sharks were coming in hot but as I have previously stated they are not interested in me, but are only checking out the Gopro camera attached to my spear sling which resembles a lionfish. But being trapped under the ledge with over 20 sharks around the situation could have easily turned negative with an investigation frenzy and a test bite of my hand which is next to the camera. At no point do I feel in danger but the possibility of a bite with that many sharks coming in was a real one (real chance of a miss bite especially when the nictitating membrane covers their eyes as they go in for the bite with many sharks in a confined space). Never assume that you are the greater species. A lesson learned today. Every day with reef sharks is a learning day. They are one of the most incredible species on earth and deserve our respect. I am certainly in love with them.
Camera 1 footage by Tiana Stoddard.