Peter Smith, a British man from Hertfordshire, has shared the harrowing details of his encounter with a shark while swimming in the Caribbean island of Tobago, describing how he fought off the predator with his bare hands before being rescued by his wife. The account provides a visceral glimpse into one of the rarest but most feared encounters any swimmer can face. Smith recalled the moment the attack began: 'The conditions were perfect for a swim. Suddenly I felt a very heavy object hit my leg. I look down and there's a shark - and it's big.' What followed was a desperate struggle for survival in which instinct took over. 'I start punching the shark. To be honest I don't know what I was trying to do, but I was hitting it. I can honestly say I've never hit anything as hard as I hit that shark,' he said. His wife Joanna Smith, an NHS worker, witnessed the aftermath and rushed to help. 'I remember going into the water and seeing his terrible injuries. I could see bones, it was just awful,' she recalled. Her medical training proved crucial in providing initial care before professional help arrived. Despite the traumatic experience, Smith has maintained a remarkably positive outlook. In a statement that encapsulates his philosophy, he said: 'What's the point in surviving a shark attack if you're going to live the rest of your life in fear?' The couple have spoken about the importance of not letting the incident define their lives or prevent them from enjoying the ocean. Shark attacks on humans remain statistically very rare, with most species posing little threat to swimmers. Experts note that sharks typically attack humans by mistake, confusing them for their natural prey. Smith's survival is attributed to his quick reaction and the shark's decision to release him after the initial bite, as well as the prompt medical attention he received.