The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) are aggressive hunters that can attack swimmers in the Southern Hemisphere.
The leopard seal typically attacks in the water from below. It bites onto its victim then drags it deep below the water surface.
The attack may be so sudden that the victim is caught unawares.
Hazards:
(1) matching bite wounds, with marks from both the upper and lower teeth
(2) drowning
(3) fractures and crush injury
(4) barotraumas
Complications:
(1) wound infection
(2) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
