When Jacorey High felt a shark sink its teeth into his foot, his immediate thought wasn’t about the pain or fear. Instead, his primary concern was ensuring his fiancée's safety by getting her out of the water.
The 22-year-old from Henry County, Georgia, survived a shark attack on Saturday while swimming in the shallow waters of Daytona Beach, Florida. Now, as he recovers from surgery, he recounts the moments that turned his vacation upside down.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, High and his fiancée were near the Dunlawton beach access around 5:30 p.m. when a medium-sized shark attacked, biting his left foot and ankle.
"I immediately knew it was a shark by how it bit my foot, but my main concern was getting my fiancée out of the water," he recalled.
The adrenaline rush was so intense that he barely registered the full extent of his injuries at the time.
"I didn’t really feel it until I got to the hospital and they started giving me medication," High explained.
Post-Surgery Recovery
High underwent surgery on Sunday to treat the shark bite injuries and remains hospitalized in Florida.
While authorities have deemed the injuries non-life-threatening, the recovery process is proving to be challenging.
"Every time I try to go to the bathroom or do anything else, my leg starts bleeding, and the pain increases because I have to hop everywhere," he shared.
The young man and his family had arrived in Florida on July 22 for a vacation, a trip that unexpectedly took a traumatic turn.
Despite the ordeal, he remains hopeful for a full recovery.
"I just hope nothing important in my foot is damaged so I can get back to work," he stated.
Daytona Beach: A Shark Bite Hotspot
The incident took place in Volusia County, often referred to as the shark bite capital of the world.
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the University of Florida, the area has recorded 351 unprovoked shark attacks since 1882, more than anywhere else globally.
In 2025 alone, the county accounted for six of the eleven unprovoked attacks documented across Florida. Experts note that most of these are "hit-and-run" incidents, where the shark quickly bites and swims away, rarely resulting in fatality.
High's encounter adds to a string of recent shark-related incidents in Florida. In June, a civilian employee at the NSA Panama City naval base sustained serious arm injuries from a shark attack, and the same month saw a shark spotted among swimmers at Miami Beach.
In July 2024, a 14-year-old was bitten on the foot while swimming at Daytona Beach Shores, one of four attacks reported in Volusia County within a week.
Authorities have not disclosed how long Jacorey High will remain hospitalized or when he will be able to return to Georgia, as he continues to recover from an experience he acknowledges could have ended much worse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shark Attacks in Florida
What should you do if you encounter a shark while swimming?
If you spot a shark, stay calm and try to maintain eye contact while slowly retreating to the shore. Avoid sudden movements that might provoke the shark.
Why is Volusia County known for shark attacks?
Volusia County's waters are frequented by sharks due to its location and abundance of marine life, making it a common area for shark-human interactions, often non-fatal "hit-and-run" bites.