Coral Bay shark attack victim in high spirits

Coral Bay shark attack victim Dave Pickering's spirits were buoyed yesterday when the family who helped him to safety visited him in Royal Perth Hospital.

The 26-year-old tour guide's right arm was mauled by a 3m tiger shark when he was swimming with a tour group at the popular Coral Bay snorkelling spot, The Lagoon, on Thursday.

Mr Pickering, working for Coral Bay Eco Tours, punched the shark away in self-defence and swam 500m back to shore.

He said the efforts of Duncraig registered nurse Julie Lang, who was part of his tour group along with her husband and 13-year-old daughter, helped save his life.

He said he had begun the long road to recovery with a positive outlook and had been told feeling could return to his arm, which suffered severe nerve and muscle damage, within six months.

Dozens of family members and friends had been visiting him in hospital to help keep his mind off the pain in his arm.

"It is constant pain but you just get used to it," Mr Pickering said.

"They have put my arm back together now so only time will tell how it goes."

"It was awesome to see Julie again. I got a little bit teary."

Ms Lang and her husband, Gavin, monitored Mr Pickering as he swam back to shore, laid him on the beach, tended to his arm and took him to a road where they could meet an ambulance.

Ms Lang said they had returned from their holiday on Sunday and came to visit Mr Pickering as soon as they could.

"If he had been by himself he might not have made it," Ms Lang said.

"Everyone just played a role."

Picture: Ben Crabtree