Diver Christopher Bugros is crediting divine intervention for his ability to swim 44 miles to safety.
“It was me and God out there alone... I never stopped praying. I had to think, think fast and have no fear,” Bugros said at his Maraval home.
“There was no time to rest...I don’t know where my strength came from but I knew I had to reach home to my family,” he added.
Last evening at his home among the many family, friends and well wishes were his two diving partners - Anthony Graham, 30 and Brandon Serrette, 26, who were with him on Wednesday when a current swept him miles away from them.
Graham, a soldier, said it was hard for him to leave his friend behind but knowing Bugros’ style, technique and survival instincts knew in his heart that he would be ok.
“I believe in miracles and that there is a God above.”
“To know that Christopher got swept away right under our nose was a harsh reality when it hit. We had to leave for gas. I know it would have been pointless because I know the current would have taken him far but how far and where, “ Graham said.
He said when they returned on land they remained restless on the beach for the whole night and in communication with the Coast Guard, never losing hope.
Serrette described his experience as the worst ever, “one that I will never forget. I’m still shaken up.”
Bugros, while keeping on the lookout for sharks never gave up.
“I had my (fishing) gun so I was prepared for the sharks. But by swimming, I had to begin dumping. First my weights... I used out the tank then took apart my wet suit and used it with the tank as a float...eventually I had to dump that too but I cut a regulator hose and put it in my mouth to help me breathe and with that I could have rest my head down at times without getting water in the hose.”
“I remembered touching the shore. As I came out of the water my legs collapsed on me. I slept on logs until 5.30 am then made my way to loggers in a distance for help,” he added.
Burgos father, Anthony, 69, said he gave his son a one per cent chance of survival chance.
“I knew if he did what I taught him to do that that one per cent would have turned to 100 per cent. I’m proud today,” he said.
Anthony said 45 years ago he was in a similar position between Trinidad and Tobago where he was lost at sea during a diving expedition but was found in two hours.
Anthony now promises to design a survival programme with improved equipment, lights, vest and buoys for divers.
Bugros said he will go back into the ocean maybe about in one month’s time together with Graham and Serrette.
However, his father said his son along with the entire family was in dire need for professional counselling.
“Christopher looks strong but he’s mentally traumatised and I’m trying to start a fund to help with counselling. He needs it.”
Bugros on Wednesday survived strong currents as he miraculously swam 44 miles to land after drifting out to the far eastern coast of Trinidad over an estimated 16-hour period during one of his regular diving expeditions.
Bugros was part of a group of four divers who left their respective homes at about 3 am on Wednesday to go diving off Balandra.
At about 9 am while he and two other divers were in the deep waters a 350-pound bull shark waded pass them.
The trio tried to escape. Two of them managed to surface, however, Bugros got into difficulty and was swept away about 100 feet away from the boat by strong undercurrents.