American Diver Recovering After Shark Attack In Baja California Sur

A diver from the U.S. sustained wounds on his forearm after he was attacked by a shark in Magdalena Bay off the Baja California Sur Coast Monday.

Important details about the incident were unavailable, although the Mexican navy said that the diver is 23 years old.

The man’s name and hometown, as well as the type of shark that attacked him, were not revealed.

The Mexican navy pointed that the man was diving in the Pacific near San Carlos when the attack happened. Despite his wound, he was able to swim back and on to the dive boat on his own.

A boat was sent by the navy to retrieve the man, and he was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.

His wounds were not considered life-threatening and is now recovering, said The Washington Post.

In data outlined by the Florida Museum's International Shark File (IFS), there have been 39 reported cases of unprovoked shark attacks in Mexico since 1907.

Guerrero is first on the list with 11 confirmed reports, while Veracruz came in second 9, Quintana Roo is third with 8 and Baja California, 4.

Baja California Sur, the coast where the diver was attacked, is fifth with 2 reported cases.

IFS curator George Burgess told National Geographic that people can reduce the risk of being attacked by sharks by “being smart.”

By this, Burgess pointed to the fact that people should be cautious when swimming and where they are in the water. In addition, we must understand that we are stepping in their environment, and it's a risk that we have to accept.

“It's also a good idea to avoid going into the water at night, avoid wearing shiny metal that may look like fish scales, and stay away from sandbars and areas that drop off steeply.”

“For most people, the risk of being attacked by a shark is 1:738 million. If you're a surfer, it's 1:17 million, and it's 1:136 million if you're a scuba diver. Overall, shark attacks shouldn't concern average Americans,” said Safewise on the likelihood that a shark would attack a person.