Tasmanian shark attack survivor Justine Barwick details incident and opens up on her mental recovery

Tasmanian shark attack survivor Justine Barwick has revealed exactly what she remembers about the moment she was bitten, the frantic moments to save her and how she gets through life now.

A TASMANIAN shark attack survivor has laid bare a step-by-step recount on how the horror event unfolded, describing it as a something that has changed her outlook on life.

Justine Barwick, 47, was on a family holiday in the Whitsundays when she was attacked by a shark in Cid Harbour on September 19, 2018.

Speaking on ABC radio on Monday, Ms Barwick told of the mental toll the incident has left her with, one year on.

“I do maintain vigilance in looking after my mental health. I’ve always been a person who considers if you keep your mind healthy it’s easy for your body to follow,” she said.

“I see a psychologist at least once a month.

“We both consider that I’m doing as well as anybody could possibly do after such an event.

“I have some really hard days, but I’d say I more face a tough few hours at a time rather than just facing one whole tough day.”

When Tasmanian woman Justine Barwick went for a swim off her yacht in Queensland's iconic Whitsundays region last year, she had no idea her life would change in minutes. She will appear on Australian Story on Monday night.

In recounting the ordeal, Ms Barwick said parts of it were difficult to put into words.

“The impact was enormous, I don’t have the words to describe how much force I was hit with, it was incredible,” she said.

“A bite taken from my leg – over half the top of my thigh – [which left it] more or less down to the bone.

Asked when she realised at what point she’d been attacked by a shark, Ms Barwick replied “straight away”.

“Straight away I knew what it was,” she said.

“I think the force of the shark pushed me closer to the boat. I turned and pushed the shark and in doing so I pushed myself closer to the stern of the boat.

“I got out of the water with the help of friends and family.

“I was a bit confused as why my right leg wasn’t working.

“I knew I’d been bitten but I didn’t realise until I got out of the water and saw the extent – the size of the injury – that I realised how big it was.

“Then I saw the blood spurting from my femoral artery and I knew I was in bad shape.

“My husband Craig grabbed a towel and applied pressure to my leg immediately while raising it.

“My best friend Lynne grabbed the first aid kit and wrapped bandage after bandage around my leg.”

Mrs Barwick said a mayday call was then issued and she was flown to hospital about two hours after the attack occurred.

When Tasmanian woman Justine Barwick went for a swim off her yacht in Queensland's iconic Whitsundays region last year, she had no idea her life would change in minutes. She will appear on Australian Story on Monday night.

Mrs Barwick, who returned to work five months after the attack, said she now had a second chance at life.

“By the interventions of others and my own stubborn personality, I’ve been given a second chance,” she said.

“I think it does change your outlook.

“I think it makes you take advantage of opportunities that come your way.

“I really think you hug people just a little bit tighter and you don’t take anything for granted.”

Originally published as Tasmanian shark attack survivor Justine Barwick details incident and opens up on her mental recovery