The Durban classification of shark bites can be used to identify the probable outcome for the patient assuming adequate care is given.
Clinical Injuries
Grade of Injury
both femoral arteries (involving distal two thirds)
one femoral artery involving the proximal third
one femoral artery (in distal two thirds) and 1 posterior tibial artery
I
one femoral artery in distal two thirds
one brachial artery
two posterior tibial arteries
abdominal wounds with bowel involvement
II
one posterior tibial artery
superficial limb wounds with no vessels cut
superficial abdominal wounds with no peritoneal involvement
both forearm vessels
III
where:
• Some theoretical injuries could be between grades: both brachial arteries, both forearms mangled. In the implementation I will move these to the next higher grade.
Grade of Injury
Probable Outcome with Appropriate Pre-Hospital Treatment
I
often fatal
II
should survive
III
always survives
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