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Lady newscaster: He had done a hundred of times surf to swell just at South Florida
coast.
Male newscaster: But one day, a shark set it eyes on Daryl Zbar. After reconstructive
surgery, his wounds weren’t healing and they are facing the real possibility that
the doctors would amputate part of his hand. Tonight, news channel 5, Shannon Kate reports
how doctors put him back together. Thanks to a program that was nearly wiped out.
Female reporter: It was early morning last September, surf was up and so was Jupiter
resident, Daryl Zbar.
Daryl Zbar: I surfed all day, Saturday and Sunday and on Monday morning everybody is
working and I had a free day, so I went out right here by myself, it was about 8 in the
morning.
Female reporter: His day at the beach started no different from the others he had spent
here.
Daryl Zbar: Like everyday, I just paddled out. I’ve done it thousands of times. I’ve
been doing it since I was 5.
Female reporter: Daryl, bobbing on top of the water just off Jupiter Island.
Daryl Zbar: I was sitting on my board once I got to the outside and as soon as I was
plopped down on my stomach and dug my right hand in to paddle, it hit me. The thing I
remember most is this like [vibrating noise] and I think that was his tail flipping back
and forth as he was shaking his head, grabbed me right here and then shredded my hand. I
knew right away it was shark on my hand and when I pulled up my hand, I saw him. He was
only about that big and he let go and swim away. This was wide open and the joint severed
and it was just holding on a piece of skin here. My thumb was down on my wrist.
Female reporter: He caught the next wave into the beach, a fisherman rushed him to the hospital.
Dr. Rankin: It was pretty severe. Female reporter: Dr. David Rankin was the
surgeon on duty. Dr. Rankin: I looked at the thumb under a
live X-ray. It was actually almost completely amputated and detached at the joint.
Female reporter: Rankin did everything he could to stitch Daryl up, but the tissue on
his hand had been ripped to shreds by the shark’s fierce tug and jagged teeth. Daryl
would need intense therapy to avoid amputation. This is where the healing began for Daryl
Zbar. Right here in this tube is a hyperbaric chamber at St. Mary’s Medical Center. The
folks who run the chamber say it simulates the pressure of a submarine. That pressure
compresses oxygen, infusing it into the blood stream in a way that helps heal wounds.
Dr. Mike Chidester: That increase oxygen levels in the blood also act almost like an antibiotic.
They allow white blood cells in a regular immune system to function better and more
appropriately. Female reporter: Doctors prescribed the chamber
for patients suffering from both plastic surgery or diabetics working on wound that just won’t
heal. It’s also used emergently for divers suffering from the bends. For Daryl Zbar having
hyperbarics in his backyard meant his hand remained intact.
Dr. Rankin: There was a strong possibility without the hyperbaric that he would have
lost his hand. Female reporter: Today, Daryl is undaunted,
looking forward to a fully functioning hand and a chance to return to the place he loves.
Daryl Zbar: The sooner I can get back out to the water, I can feel better. I’ll dive,
I’ll surf and fish. And maybe I’ll choose my days more carefully.
Female reporter: Admittedly, Daryl says he remembers the water being a bit murky the
morning he was surfing, lots of big fish running. He believes the shark simply mistook his hand
for small fish. You may remember the hyperbaric chamber was in danger of closing two years
ago for emergency medical usage, but St. Mary’s reconsider and still offer that service to
our community today. I’m Shannon Kate, WPTV channel 5.
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