Posted by Angi on June 29, 2003 at 15:50:20:
In Reply to: Sea Lion Attack! posted by Bughunter on May 27, 2003 at 12:58:24:
I just got back from a trip to Mexico (Rocky Point). We took a day cruise to Bird Island to snorkel with the sea lions. It was really beautiful, but I wasn't picking up on the hints from a large male sea lion. I guess I was swimming too close to him and his family. He kept diving in, almost diving on top of me, but for some reason, I thought he was just being friendly. Maybe I'd been out in the sun too, long?
I was free diving, trying to find some clams or mussels to feed the animals. I thought I struck my thigh on a rock, but it REALLY hurt, so I turned to take a peek, and my leg was pretty much flayed open.
The gash was a good 6 inched open, L-shaped, maybe 10 inches total. It was through the skin and fat, luckily the muscle wasn't involved. (thank God for "well padded" thighs)
I called the Divers' Alert Network (DAN). They researched the topic, and said that I don't need rabies shots (whew) but these bites get really super-infected, and the Mexican ER doctor shouldn't have sewn the wound. They recommended taking Cipro.
As for other sea lion bites, I remember watching a National Geographic show where the professional diver picked up a baby sea lion and posed for a picture. The little guy whipped over and bit him on the cheek. The wound was stitched up and the guy had to get rabies shots.
Did you come up with any other useful information?