Lifestyle: ‘If People Knew, They Wouldn’t Go Into The Ocean’

“If people knew how many sharks came close to them they would probably never go in the ocean.” That’s the stark warning from Paul de Gelder, a former Navy diver, who lost his leg and arm to a bull shark while diving in Sydney harbour in 2009. He said the tragic news of the death of a man in Byron Bay this morning is a reminder the ocean is a risky environment for people every time they enter. "It’s so sad for everyone involved. Family and friends and obviously the victim himself," Mr de Gelder told news.com.au. "The bull shark took my hamstring and my hand. I believe the man this morning was bitten on the leg – it just goes to show how extremely lucky I was not to have been killed. "[But] to be honest I’ve talked at so many survivors…None of the people bitten by the shark wish any ill on the shark. They understand the ocean is their environment."