A 22-year-old Georgia man is recovering after being bitten by a shark in the shallow waters off a Florida beach while trying to get his pregnant fiancée to safety.

Jacorey High was wading in waist-deep water near the Dunlawton Beach Approach in Daytona Beach Shores shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday when a shark estimated to be about four feet long reportedly bit his left foot and ankle.

Beach Safety officials said High was treated at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

High said he immediately realized the animal was a shark, but his first concern was getting his pregnant fiancée out of the water.

As he attempted to escape, High said the shark continued moving toward him, reportedly coming close to his arm before he pushed it away. He then ran toward shore as the shark appeared to make another attempt near his other leg.

After reaching safety, High said he did not fully realize the extent of his injuries until he arrived at the hospital. Doctors later performed surgery on his foot, and he expects his recovery to take around three months.

Despite the frightening experience, High said he is hoping the injury did not damage anything important in his foot so he can eventually return to work.

The incident comes as experts remind beachgoers to remain cautious in coastal waters during the busy summer season. Marine biologist Mike Heithaus of Florida International University emphasized that shark bites are still uncommon, while encouraging swimmers to pay attention to local conditions and follow lifeguard instructions.

Experts also recommend avoiding murky water, staying away from areas where large schools of fish are present, and keeping clear of locations where people are actively fishing.

For High, the frightening encounter began with a shark bite but quickly became a fight to protect the person closest to him. His immediate priority was getting his pregnant fiancée safely out of the water—and now he faces a long recovery from the injuries he suffered while doing so.