Shark attack survivor Dave Quinlivan last week found himself back under the surgeon’s knife in hospital after an infection and abscess developed in the bite wounds on his left ankle.

The infections are being described as ‘’marine’’ – a formal description for bacteria from the mouth of the shark that took two chomps on Mr Quinlivan’s leg.

It was three months ago that Mr Quinlivan’s ski warm-down off Black Head Beach turned into a frantic fight for survival, when the shark leapt out of the water and bit down on his leg.

He managed to fight off the shark and paddle into shore despite a ruptured Achilles tendon, a punctured artery and severe mauling to his lower calf.

It appeared Mr Quinlivan had got through the worst of it and was allowed to leave hospital in late October.

But a week later he was back with the infections before being told on Friday that the six trips to the theatre had worked and he may be discharged on Wednesday.

The news also came after he was showered with messages from friends after an appearance on Thursday night’s Air Rescue television program, based on the Hunter Westpac rescue helicopter crews that flew him from Black Head to John Hunter Hospital as blood gushed from his wound. 

He has spent 12 of the past 13 weeks in a hospital bed.

“Today, I’m feeling very happy, I thought I was going back to theatre again but they have just had a look and reckon [the wound] is looking all right,’’ Mr Quinlivan said on Friday.

“I might be out next week.’’

Mr Quinlivan, a former Newcastle fireman and champion surf life saver, admits of feeling stir crazy staying indoors for months on end. But the frustration in not being as active as he was is tempered by the support of family and friends who have remained beside him during the journey.

It involved the countless operations and redressings, including the latest six ‘’vacuum dressings’’ where the problem wounds are scoured back before the moisture is sucked away to get rid of the infection.

For three weeks, Mr Quinlivan has spent every moment tied to a machine as it works to dry the wounds up.

Until Friday, when he also had time to reflect on seeing vision of himself grey and bleeding heavily inside the helicopter for the first time.

“I knew they were concerned, and I knew they went into action pretty quickly, but I didn’t realise it was pouring out of me like that,’’ Mr Quinlivan said.

‘’Everyone, from the guys at the beach to the paramedics to the helicopter crew to the hospital staff, they have all been just brilliant.’’

‘’I could never thank them enough.’’

Courtesy of the Newcastle Herald