In December 1963, Rodney Fox was participating in a spearfishing competition when a large great white shark attacked him. In a matter of seconds, the water turned red with his blood. In his own words, he described the harrowing experience: “I’m looking through the pink water, through my own blood, and I take big gulps of air, and through it, I see the head. Getting bigger.”
Rodney Fox and the Attack
His life was forever changed on that day. Rodney Fox was left with over 360 stitches and a tooth fragment that remains embedded in his right wrist even half a century later.
One might reasonably assume that after surviving such a terrifying ordeal, anyone would avoid the water and warn others to stay away. However, that’s not the case with Fox.
Today, he is one of the leading advocates for sharks and travels the world as part of the “Planet Shark: Predator of Prey” exhibition.
Considered a “miraculous survivor” worldwide, the shark attack he endured was one of the most severe non-fatal shark attacks ever recorded. Each of his left ribs was crushed, his spleen was exposed, and he needed 90 stitches just in his hand. While “miracle” may sound like a cliché in public relations, for Fox, there’s no better word to describe it.
In his view, it was inexplicable luck that kept him alive. Now, his purpose is to help sharks; that’s why he’s still here. Rodney Fox was dragged nearly 10 meters underwater, wounded. He fought the beast and managed to gouge out its eyes, causing it to release him. To prevent another attack, he clung to it. However, he soon needed air and had to let go.
He swam to the surface, gasping for breath, and the shark followed. The image of the shark’s head emerging from the water is the most vivid memory he has from that day. It has stayed with him every day since.
He fought again, kicking it, and by chance or destiny, instead of catching him, the shark bit the floatation device he had attached. Although he was dragged underwater again, the ties of the floatation device broke as the teeth had bitten close to his chest.
The Rescue and Present
“There weren’t many boats in that area, but one appeared. They had seen the pink color in the water. They pulled me on board and rushed me to the hospital. It was another miracle.”
In an instant, he endured a punctured diaphragm, a torn lung, a pierced scapula, and an exposed abdomen, ribcage, spleen, and upper stomach. When rescuers finally got him out of the water, they had to leave his wetsuit intact to prevent his organs from spilling out.
When Fox recovered, he realized that, despite making a living as a diver, he was afraid to return to the water. To overcome that fear, he dedicated his life to research, conservation, and science. He started working on the design and creation of shark cages that are now widely known and used. He also embarked on an extensive career as a documentary filmmaker, participating in over 100 documentaries, which, according to him, encompass about 90% of our knowledge about sharks.
Currently, his son Andrew is a scientist and part of his team. Fox claims that the next step is to develop an effective and safe shark repellent. Thanks to today’s global connectivity, he says scientists from around the world are collaborating on creating such a repellent.
Fox even participated in the filming of the movie “Jaws”, though he remembers that experience with some embarrassment:
“We scared people, and that’s not what I want to do. I’m here because sharks need our understanding and respect.”
Part of his work with Planet Shark involves educating and entertaining, never frightening. It’s a story that demonstrates how relentless nature can be and why we should always treat it with the respect it deserves.