That intervention addressed one of the most serious dangers associated with a major limb injury.
Uncontrolled bleeding can become fatal even after a person has escaped the original cause of the injury.
In Addison's case, the shark had inflicted extensive damage to her thigh.
Getting her out of the water was essential, but controlling the bleeding was equally urgent.
The sequence demonstrates why survival after a shark attack may depend on several different actions.
The victim must first escape the animal.
Then rescuers must help the injured person reach a safe location.
Serious bleeding must be addressed.
And professional medical care must follow as quickly as possible.
Rhett was involved in the first three stages.
He fought the shark.
He helped bring Addison aboard the boat.
And he participated in the emergency response to her injury.
The helicopter transport and hospital treatment then continued the effort to save her life.
It would be misleading to suggest that Rhett's intervention alone resolved every danger.
Addison still required extensive medical care.
Her injuries were so severe that her right leg ultimately had to be amputated.
But his actions helped her survive long enough to receive that care.
The incident also illustrates the limits of what even an exceptionally courageous rescue can accomplish.
Rhett could force the shark to release his sister.
He could help control her bleeding.
He could assist in getting her to emergency medical services.
But he could not reverse the damage already caused by the animal's jaws.
That responsibility passed to the medical team.
And even with advanced treatment, Addison's leg could not be saved.
The result was a story of survival accompanied by permanent physical loss.
Rhett helped save his sister's life.
But Addison still had to face the difficult work of recovering from the injury.
Chapter 10: The Teenager Who Survived and the Brother Who Refused to Leave Her
On June 30, 2022, Addison Bethea entered the waters near Keaton Beach, Florida, expecting a summer afternoon of scalloping.
She was 17 years old.
The water was approximately six feet deep.
Her brother, Rhett Willingham, was nearby.
There was no reason for Addison to expect that the outing would end with a helicopter evacuation and a life-changing injury.
But while she was searching for scallops, a large shark approached and bit her right leg.
The animal was estimated to be approximately nine feet long.
Its jaws caused severe damage.
Addison attempted to fight back.
She struck the shark, trying to make it release her.
But the animal continued holding her leg and pulled her beneath the surface.
Her calls for help reached Rhett.