Jameson Reeder is a shark attack survivor who was bitten while snorkeling in waist-deep water at a sandbar in the Florida Keys. On this episode he tells Tom about the moment the shark grabbed his leg, the multiple surgeries and long recovery that followed, and how he's become an advocate for ocean safety and marine conservation without losing his respect for sharks.
Press play above to watch, or scroll down to listen to the full conversation.
Fight back and target the nose, a sensitive area. Jameson Reeder pushed the shark away after it bit his leg, then swam back to the boat immediately, called 911, and applied pressure to control bleeding until responders arrived.
Jameson's physical recovery took about six months total, with three months before he could walk without significant pain, and multiple surgeries to clean the wound and prevent infection. The mental recovery from the trauma took even longer.
Yes. Jameson Reeder was attacked in waist-deep water at a Florida Keys sandbar, a reminder that sharks can be present in shallow coastal areas.
Never swim alone, avoid dawn and dusk when sharks are most active, stay away from murky water, wear bright colors, and avoid shiny jewelry that can resemble fish scales.
Jameson was attacked in the Florida Keys, though shark encounters can happen throughout Florida's coastal waters, especially in popular snorkeling and diving areas with abundant marine life.
I met Jameson at the boat show and his story grabbed me immediately — not just the attack itself, but his perspective afterward. Coming through something that could have killed him or cost him his leg and still holding respect for the shark and the ocean takes a specific kind of person, and I wanted to hear how he got there.
It was supposed to be a perfect day — a snorkeling trip to the sandbar with his wife, clear water, the kind of day that reminds you why you moved to the Keys. Jameson felt something grab his leg and thought it was a friend joking around. When he looked down and saw the shark's mouth on his leg, everything changed. Worth hearing him describe that exact moment.
Back at the boat, everyone was in panic mode while Jameson tried to stay calm and control the bleeding. The Coast Guard evacuated him to the hospital, where doctors told him a few inches higher or lower and he could have lost the leg entirely. Multiple surgeries and weeks of wound care followed.
Instead of turning away from the ocean, Jameson turned toward it. He now gives talks at schools and community events about shark safety, with a message that's clear: sharks aren't hunting humans, and attacks are incredibly rare. He shares practical advice on avoiding encounters and what to do if one happens.
What really struck me was how honest Jameson was about the mental recovery. We talk a lot about physical injuries in the fishing and outdoor world, but not enough about the mental side, and Jameson faced his fears head-on and got back in the water.
His advocacy work is incredible — using his experience to educate people about ocean safety without demonizing sharks. If you spend time in the ocean, you need to hear this conversation.
Jameson Reeder · Tom Rowland
Jameson Reeder is originally from North Carolina and has been a lifelong water person who spent most of his time on boats and fishing. About five years ago, he and his wife moved to the Florida Keys to be closer to their kids. After surviving a shark attack while snorkeling in waist-deep water at a sandbar, Jameson became an advocate for ocean safety awareness and marine conservation, giving talks at schools and community events and working with conservation organizations to protect shark habitats.
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