Ocean Safety Bureau officials can confirm the individual bitten by a shark on the North Shore Wednesday, November 5, was Chance Swanson, a lifeguard with OSB.
Chance continues to undergo surgeries and remains in medical care at this time but is in high spirits and grateful to be alive.
Following report of the incident, on duty lifeguards at the Hanalei Bay retrieved Chance on his surfboard using a rescue ski, applying a tourniquet while still in the water before loading him onto the ski and bringing him to shore. Lifeguards continued administering first aid until American Medical Response arrived on scene and transported Chance to Wilcox Hospital on Kaua‘i. Chance was then later transferred to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further medical care.
“The Ocean Safety Bureau recognizes Chance as an outstanding lifeguard and commends the quick thinking and decisive actions of the lifeguards on duty whose professionalism and teamwork saved his life,” said OSB Chief Kalani Vierra.
Hanalei Bay continues to remain closed at this time due to continued shark sightings.
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Hanalei Bay closed to swimming due to shark bite
HANALEI – Ocean Safety Bureau officials have closed Hanalei Bay to swimming until further notice due to a shark bite that was reported at 3:10 p.m. on Nov. 5.
According to a preliminary report, a male resident was surfing near the Pine Trees surf break when he was bitten by a shark. The man suffered injuries to his legs. Currently, there is no information available on the type or size of the shark.
The surfer was treated by first responders on scene before being transferred to Wilcox Medical Center.
As a safety precaution, lifeguards have posted ‘Shark Sighted’ and ‘No Swimming’ signs along the beach and are roving the shoreline to warn beachgoers to stay out of the water until further notice.
Per standard protocol, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources was notified of the incident. Lifeguards will reassess the water on Thursday afternoon to determine if it is safe for swimming.
For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a county lifeguard at any lifeguard station or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 or visit https://safebeachday.com/county/kauai/.
