Grey Seals...how Close???

[Seal diver]

You can't get closer!



Filmed in the last 10 days off NE coast.


"Seal diver"
bburville@hotmail.com

[gingerstu]

last year in the Farnes in about 10m of water I was neutrally bouyant lying on my back a seal came and rested the length of me with its head resting on my chest. it then let me stroke it until I had to get out. Damn bladder!

[gingerstu]

last year in the Farnes in about 10m of water I was neutrally bouyant lying on my back a seal came and rested the length of me with its head resting on my chest. it then let me stroke it until I had to get out. Damn bladder!

[gingerstu]

last year in the Farnes in about 10m of water I was neutrally bouyant lying on my back a seal came and rested the length of me with its head resting on my chest. it then let me stroke it until I had to get out. Damn bladder!

Back up there in a few weeks, hoping for the same experience!

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by gingerstu

last year in the Farnes in about 10m of water I was neutrally bouyant lying on my back a seal came and rested the length of me with its head resting on my chest. it then let me stroke it until I had to get out. Damn bladder!

Back up there in a few weeks, hoping for the same experience!

It obviously made a big impression on you.

[Steven]

Originally Posted by Seal diver

You can't get closer!



Filmed in the last 10 days off NE coast.


"Seal diver"
bburville@hotmail.com

don't think I'd put my finger in a seals mouth!!!!
I like them where they are - attached to my hands!!!!!!!

[StuartC]

v. nice clip, but even if you don't lose a finger, their mouths are nasty places full of bacteria....

if you get a seal bite, treatment with routine antibiotics will not work and you'll end up with a really horrible infection.

many A&E depts do not know this, but you should advise them to call British Divers Marine Life Rescue for advice from their vet.

I did their marine mammal medic course this summer, and in the info pack they supply you with a standard letter from their vet which explains this and advises which anti-biotic should be used.

[gingerstu]

hmmm. not sure how I managed to post three times! Ooops - computer having a crazy moment I feel

[Seal diver]

You are invited to join "marinelife" and preview some unique footage taken in the last 3 weeks.

www.youtube.com/group/marinelfe

safe diving,
Ben.

ps: Grey seals carry their own species of streptococcus (identified by the Health Protection Agency in 2005) and also mycoplasma species that ,yes indeed can be quite resistant to some standard antibiotics. They can result in a condition called "seal finger" seen in seal sanctuaries when handlers have been bitten. I have been "biten" once (my fault forgot my gloves!) and when I say bite I should say nip as the teeth are very sharp and a playful pup just got carried away - if she'd bitten it would have gone straight through my hand! I bled it underwater and considered antibiotics but opted not to go for them and it healed with no problems. (PS I sometimes work in A&E)

[Hickdive]

Last year at the Farnes I had a seal pup 'biting' my bum for several minutes and then doing something very strange to my leg. Just as well it didn't genuinely bite me, I'd hate to be the first person in the UK to suffer from 'Seal Bum'

I think seal pups, like human babies, are most sensitive in their mouths and use them to feel textures. The seal in the video and the one I encountered were simply exploring something new rather than biting, but that wouldn't stop them nipping you if suddenly startled or alarmed.