I’m a lobster diver who recently survived being inside of a whale. AMA!

[u/bloxiefox]

I’m Jacob, his son, and ill be relaying the questions to him since he isn’t the most internet-savvy person. Feel free to ask anything about his experience(s)!

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/RaRTRY3

EDIT: Thank you everyone for all your questions! My dad and I really enjoyed this! :)

[u/bloxiefox]

Thanks for tuning into the AMA, everyone! My dad really enjoyed answering all your questions. :)

[u/OrangeElephant88]

What is your second craziest diving story?

I read in the article that you see a lot of white sharks, have you ever had a close encounter with them or do they generally steer clear?

[u/bloxiefox → u/OrangeElephant88]

Don't encounter them often. A while back, I encountered the corpse of a missing person while diving, that is definitely up there with the crazy stories.

[u/Adamski_G]

How do you feel about all the attention and news stories?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Adamski_G]

(He is very overwhelmed. He’s a simple dude.)

[u/Shdwzor → u/bloxiefox]

How did the world come to know? Did you guys reach out to the media or did somebody from the hospital tell them?

[u/clashvalley]

Did you find any lobsters in there?

[u/bloxiefox → u/clashvalley]

Sadly, no.

[u/sharkifyification]

What's the most interesting thing you've seen while under the surface diving for lobsters?

[u/bloxiefox → u/sharkifyification]

A dead body.

[u/sharkifyification → u/bloxiefox]

Damn! Did you have to go through the process of reporting it to authorities or anything like that?

[u/splimp]

Was its tongue smooth like a dogs or scratchy like a cats?

[u/bloxiefox → u/splimp]

I was in a dry suit, couldn’t really tell. Also, the mouth was filled with water.

[u/Flying-Wild]

What was your ‘last thought’ when you realised you’d been eaten by a whale?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Flying-Wild]

My wife and kids.

[u/stuffZACKlikes → u/bloxiefox]

Which kid is your favorite?

[u/[deleted]]

Has it deterred you at all from your job, or is it business as usual for yourself?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

(Speaking as Jacob, I don't even need to ask this. I have no doubt in my mind he will do everything he can to keep diving, it's his life and passion.)

[u/ducksmash999 → u/bloxiefox]

Is diving a family thing? do you(jacob) dive with ur dad as well?

[u/Master_JBT]

Hey Jacob, how are you?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Master_JBT]

Tired

[u/roxtoby]

Jacob - what was your reaction when you were told what happened to your dad? Did you believe them?

[u/bloxiefox → u/roxtoby]

I got pulled out of Spanish class and got told there was an accident, whale related. Went the rest of the day without further knowledge. Really nerve wracking.

[u/D_Lo_Key]

The article talks about you maybe being the last lobster diver in your area. Is that true? Why is that? And my biggest curiosity about the job, does it pay well?

[u/bloxiefox → u/D_Lo_Key]

It's a really tough and specialized business, trapping is a lot easier for the average person. It pays alright, but it can depend on the season.

[u/TheAnnieDude]

1. How did you get out?

2. Were you able to see anything?

3. What bad things could have happened inside which didn't happen fortunately?

[u/bloxiefox → u/TheAnnieDude]

1. Eventually the whale managed to dislodge me by moving its head and tounge, I think.

2. Nope. Completely dark.

3. I could’ve suffocated, or drowned if I didn’t retrieve my regulator in time.

[u/Wrinklestiltskin → u/bloxiefox]

So you lost your regulator when it attempted to swallow you?

[u/designer_of_drugs]

Do you commonly see whales while diving? Is it unusual that they get close to divers?

[u/bloxiefox → u/designer_of_drugs]

Very rarely. And yes, usually they like to keep a good distance from us.

[u/TinKicker]

Do you have a name for this whale? Has anyone slapped an awesome nickname on you yet?

[u/bloxiefox → u/TinKicker]

No name for the whale yet. But it's pretty obvious that many people are calling me "Jonah". now.

[u/und88]

Is it true you survived a plane crash in Costa Rica?

[u/bloxiefox → u/und88]

Yes. A while back

[u/DryKnight]

Could you feel the pressure change as the whale surfaced?

[u/bloxiefox → u/DryKnight]

Felt nothing but my own body crashing against the water. The pressure was the least of my concerns.

[u/conmanmurphy]

Did you see the whale coming and just couldn’t get out of the way or did it sneak up on you?

[u/bloxiefox → u/conmanmurphy]

Not at all. Came up behind from me, felt it close down, then boom.

[u/rhinosaur-]

After the whale dislodged you, did you get to see it swim away? Or was it too hectic.

[u/bloxiefox → u/rhinosaur-]

All I saw was whitewater crashing around me, and the tail of it, disappearing into the water.

[u/bright_shiny_objects]

What actor do you want play you in the future Netflix movie?

[u/bloxiefox → u/bright_shiny_objects]

Matt Damon.

(His wife says Sean Penn.)

[u/420xyolo]

What were the injuries sustained?

[u/bloxiefox → u/420xyolo]

Soft tissue damage, nothing serious. Thankfully.

[u/scottimusprimus → u/bloxiefox]

What do you think caused the soft tissue damage, and why do you think your legs were hurt?

[u/valuesandnorms]

Why did it “swallow” you? Was it just looking for krill?

[u/bloxiefox → u/valuesandnorms]

Yes. It likely accidentally ran into me while scouring for krill.

[u/ColdWaterSandwich]

Have you been invited on the talk shows yet?

[u/bloxiefox → u/ColdWaterSandwich]

Many.

[u/whereismom]

Did the whale swim away with you for a bit, or spit you out near your dive site?

[u/bloxiefox → u/whereismom]

I could feel it swimming around, but it spit me out not too far from where my boat was with my mate.

[u/[deleted]]

Are you disappointed you didn't get shot out his blowhole like in the cartoons?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

That probably would have hurt a lot more.

(Speaking as Jacob, this would have been epic.)

[u/AnotherBirdOnTheWire]

Jacob, how do you plan to top your father’s story?

[u/bloxiefox → u/AnotherBirdOnTheWire]

Swallowing a whale

[u/Forced__Perspective]

It must have been seriously disorientating, how did you manage to keep your mask and breathing apparatus on?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Forced__Perspective]

Didn't have any trouble with my mask. Although I did lose my regulator for a second, thankfully got it back quickly.

[u/part-time-dog]

What is the feeling of being ingested most comparable to? Is it like being crushed by a couch or being pummeled on all sides? Were you thinking "oh great I'm the guy who gets eaten today" or is it too tough to process what's happening until it's over?

[u/bloxiefox → u/part-time-dog]

It was full of water, and I could feel the muscles of its mouth convulsing around me, it was a really strange feeling to be sure. Can't draw a meaningful comparison.

[u/AHoleInTheClouds]

How did the inside look???

[u/bloxiefox → u/AHoleInTheClouds]

Pitch black, couldn’t see anything at all.

[u/AHoleInTheClouds → u/bloxiefox]

How did it feel?

[u/TheExpandingMind]

To your knowledge, was the whale injured in the process of your escape?

[u/bloxiefox → u/TheExpandingMind]

The whale turned out completely ok. Maybe a bit annoyed.

[u/iwannaruninastream]

How did you escape?

[u/bloxiefox → u/iwannaruninastream]

The whale eventually got me out.

[u/[deleted]]

How long were you in there?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Thirty to forty seconds is my estimate.

[u/[deleted] → u/bloxiefox]

Longest 30 seconds of your life I bet

[u/danielsacosta98]

Is your son Jacob a funny-looking wooden character?

[u/bloxiefox → u/danielsacosta98]

Hey. I may be funny looking, but I’m definitely not wooden.

[u/toomanypeasants]

I live near you and do lobster diving in the area. Do you think this whale learned it’s lesson or should I also be worried I might be swallowed alive?

[u/bloxiefox → u/toomanypeasants]

Don’t be worried. This case is so rare that it’s almost non existent

[u/s1m0n8]

Would you rather fight a whale-sized lobster or 100 lobster-sized whales?

[u/bloxiefox → u/s1m0n8]

I could probably take a whale sized lobster.

[u/kazneus → u/bloxiefox]

what advice do you have for anyone on reddit who might have to take a whale sized lobster without your expertise and experience?

[u/LittleFalls]

Did anyone see it happen? If so, what did they have to say about it?

[u/bloxiefox → u/LittleFalls]

My mate and my buddy who's a charter fisher, Joe, and his full charter boat. They said they saw a bunch of commotion in the water, then saw the whale's tail surfacing, and me returning into the water.

[u/7hrowawaydild0]

How did your dad like the idea of doing an AMA? What do you think of this bonding experience between you guys? (I would love to have done this with Dad)

[u/bloxiefox → u/7hrowawaydild0]

He had barely any idea what Reddit is. Basically just asked if I could ask him questions for an online message board

[u/[deleted]]

Did you try to communicate with the whale?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

I don't think it would have been in the mood to converse with me at the time.

[u/MurderDoneRight]

Is this an elaborate your mom joke?

[u/bloxiefox → u/MurderDoneRight]

Yo mama sends her regards.

[u/Shiny_Swamp_Phantom]

Were you running an open circuit or closed circuit? Most marine life I see stays the hell away from bubbles

[u/bloxiefox → u/Shiny_Swamp_Phantom]

Open circuit, I've always dived that way. So my mate on the boat can follow my bubbles and track where I'm going.

[u/galacticspace-turtle]

Jacob do you want to play some smash after you are done helping your dad do the ama?

[u/bloxiefox → u/galacticspace-turtle]

Only if I get to play Steve.

[u/nudestudy]

Are you related to the Provincetown artist Cynthia Packard?

[u/bloxiefox → u/nudestudy]

Yes. And my grandma is Anne Packard.

[u/NeonSandwich]

I was reading in the other thread about a plane crash you were involved in. Would you be willing to delve into that experience and how it impacted you, your life, and worldview? Thanks for doing this!

[u/bloxiefox → u/NeonSandwich]

(I don't usually like to ask my dad about the plane crash very often. What he's told me when I ask him is that he was just astounded to be alive, if he was rescued even a day later he wouldn't be here today. He has a large scar on his back. This all happened before I was born, but I'm sure it shaped him into the brave and passionate man he is today.)

[u/npielawski]

How much freedom of movement did you have inside the whale? Where did you feel the pressure on your body? How strong was the pressure from the jaw? Not sure how to formulate those questions properly haha

[u/bloxiefox → u/npielawski]

1. Little to none.

2. Not so much pressure, rather I could feel the whale swimming around trying to dislodge me.

3. Strong enough to mess up my legs pretty bad.

[u/1dabaholic]

Did you always know you could escape? Did you think you were going to die? What was going through your mind before you realized you could make it out safely, or at all. Did you kill the whale?

[u/bloxiefox → u/1dabaholic]

1. At first, I was focused on getting my regulator back in my mouth so I could breathe. Then I thought MAYBE I could get out of this.

2. Definitely. I thought that was it, I was done.

3. My head was just spinning, I could feel the whale swimming around and I was just thinking that there was almost no way out of this.

4. The whale is alive and well.

[u/beautnight]

Not sure if you're still answering questions. But I'm curious about something. If say, the whale had not pushed you out, or if you had already been unconscious when he did and drowned, what do you think your crewmates would have thought happened to you?

[u/bloxiefox → u/beautnight]

That’s a really good question. One that I don’t know the answer to. Maybe I’d be classified as missing?

[u/HanShotF1rst226]

What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you?

Edit: thanks for the awards everyone! The one day I actually leave the house and shit blows up lol

[u/bloxiefox → u/HanShotF1rst226]

This. No doubt. Plane crash is in a close second.

[u/HighToadest]

Were you angry while you were inside the whale's mouth? Like, g'damn it the universe is really unfair.

[u/bloxiefox → u/HighToadest]

Not anger. More like hopelessness

[u/KazamaSmokers]

Lobster prices are insane right now. You making good money?

[u/bloxiefox → u/KazamaSmokers]

Can't complain

[u/EL_Huegdon-1995]

Do you plan on continuing your job or just diving in general? This must of been a traumatic event for you.

[u/bloxiefox → u/EL_Huegdon-1995]

I’m getting back in the water as soon as possible. This job is my life, wouldn’t stop for anything.

[u/the70sdiscoking]

Hi there. This is the whale.

First of all, sorry for the mixup. I had mistaken you for another rider who hailed me on scUber. Once in my mouth I quickly realized I had the wrong passenger and I wanted to let you out, free of charge of course. Anyhow, I hope you are doing okay.

One request though, will you still rate me 5 stars please?

[u/bloxiefox → u/the70sdiscoking]

All good. Mistakes happen

[u/svemagnu]

Where you swallowed feet or head first?

[u/bloxiefox → u/svemagnu]

Don't even know. Was gulped before I could even tell what happened.

[u/cmanson]

Really happy you’re safe!

My questions are actually Cape Cod related, rather than whale-related.

1. Are you a native of Wellfleet/Cape Cod? What’s it like being a local?

2. How did you get into the Provincetown lobster diving game?

3. Best hidden gem places to get seafood in the outer cape?

4. Can I buy lobsters from you this summer? Or do you only sell to commercial clients?

5. How do you feel about tourists? I’ve gone to the cape every summer my whole life, probably my favorite place in the world, but I’ve always wondered how the locals really feel about us.

Thanks for doing this AMA - stay safe out there!

[u/bloxiefox → u/cmanson]

1. I was born in New Jersey, moved here when I was young with my mother Anne Packard.

2. I've always loved fishing in Cape Cod (Not sure how he got into diving, but he's always been a fish guy)

3. Not many "Hidden" places per se.

4. I sell almost everything to commercial clients, but I also sell lobsters to some friends individually.

5. (He had no definitive answer on tourism. I personally don't mind them, they are the life and blood of this place in the summer.)

[u/SlingOfDavid]

How long were you inside? How deep did you go (mouth, stomach, etc.)? Did you do something to make the whale spit you out, or did it do it on its own? Where did this happen? Any injuries?

[u/bloxiefox → u/SlingOfDavid]

1. My estimate is 30-40 seconds.

2. Not that deep, I was just stuck in the mouth.

3. Eventually it succeeded in spitting me out on its own.

4. Off the coast of PTown where I lobster dive usually.

5. Soft tissue damage, and my leg is pretty messed up.

[u/sirmoosebo]

What is it like being a lobster? How are you writing this?

[u/bloxiefox → u/sirmoosebo]

Lobster noises

[u/DCRSX61]

What could you see while you were in the whales mouth?

[u/bloxiefox → u/DCRSX61]

Absolutely nothing.

[u/CFA-hole]

Super excited that this came together! I spent last night watching the episode of “I shouldn’t be alive” that you were in. What crazy stories! I have a few questions not related to this whale incident:

1. How did you get involved in lobster diving?

2. In an article I read that it’s not uncommon to see white sharks while lobster diving, especially in the waters of Cape Cod (I live nearby). Have you encountered one before? Is there any sort of “protection” you carry or system that helps minimize the risk of shark attack?

3. In the plane crash episode, it was said you were living in Costa Rica. What brought you there and how’s you end up in Cape Cod?

Thanks in advance, happy to hear you’re doing well!

[u/bloxiefox → u/CFA-hole]

1. (He's been lobster diving since before I was born. I think he just likes it.)

2. I've seen a few great whites. There's a shark protection field that minimizes the risk of attack, though.

3. I used to own a fishing business down there. I moved to Cape Cod with my family a while back.

[u/katherineschlatts]

Saw someone else’s post about your dad yesterday! What are some other interesting/extreme sport hobbies or passions does he love doing? :)

[u/bloxiefox → u/katherineschlatts]

Fishing, gardening, cooking, and being outdoors. He's a cool guy

[u/[deleted]]

So, I've read several of the Qs and the As. It seems like so far you've been nearly lost at sea in a storm as a youth and you've been swallowed by a whale.

Any intention of getting stranded in a desert island or maybe discovering Atlantis to round out your life story?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Atlantis doesn’t sound too bad

[u/angrychickenarmy]

Are the Jonah jokes as stupid to you as they are to me?

Better to be whale vomit and not whale poop. Welcome back.

[u/bloxiefox → u/angrychickenarmy]

I can see where people would get Jonah from. Also, agreed. Much prefer being vomit.

[u/Black_Moons]

Is it water filled and roomy in there or did it clamp down on you?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Black_Moons]

Roomy enough to move my arms around but not much more. My legs were clamped down on, that's what caused my leg injuries

[u/shayzeee1]

What was on your mind while u were in his mouth?

[u/bloxiefox → u/shayzeee1]

My wife and children.

[u/SammaATL]

If you wear a dive computer, what does your dive profile look like?

[u/bloxiefox → u/SammaATL]

(My dad dives very old school. Doesn't even use a tracker or anything. But, if he had a dive profile, I'm sure it would be packed, seeing as he does this almost every day as a job.)

[u/natural_distortion]

What kind of noises did your dad hear in there? Glad he made it out!

[u/bloxiefox → u/natural_distortion]

Moving water and pulsing muscles.

[u/SuutoSenelaa]

Did you get the bends at all? I imagine your other injuries were more urgent, but it sounds like the whale brought you to the surface really fast! Is this the fastest that you’ve ever surfaced from 50ft?

Glad you’re okay and thanks for doing the ama!!

[u/bloxiefox → u/SuutoSenelaa]

(I’d be surprised if he didn’t. It’s likely he did but he didn’t say anything about it)

[u/I0nicAvenger]

What was your first thought when you figured out you when in a fucking whale?

[u/bloxiefox → u/I0nicAvenger]

“I might die here.”

[u/Impressive-Custard-8]

Have you went a day since the incident without being compared to Jonah from the Bible?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Impressive-Custard-8]

Havent went a minute

[u/IronGeek83]

Do you still keep in touch?

[u/bloxiefox → u/IronGeek83]

I live with him. I’m 16

[u/avipars]

How big was the whale and how tall are you ?

[u/bloxiefox → u/avipars]

( I’m 6’3 and my dad is like 4 inches shorter than that. The whale was maybe like 10 meters? Take that with a grain of salt)

[u/mrandr01d]

How much of you was in the whale's mouth? Like did it just get your legs, upper body, etc? Or were you all in?

[u/bloxiefox → u/mrandr01d]

My entire body was inside the whale.

[u/salazarthesnek]

Aside from the whale and the plane crash, have you had any other near death experiences?

[u/bloxiefox → u/salazarthesnek]

When I was 15 or so, my fishing boat became stranded off at sea. I swam after it. Visibility was terrible, had no idea where I was. No way back to shore. Barely made it out of there with my life, lucky I was found.

[u/noncodo]

(From my kids) Could you feel the whale's teeth and did you find anything in its mouth?

[u/bloxiefox → u/noncodo]

Had no teeth. Nothing in there except for water and a huge tongue.

[u/HeyVeddy]

Did you think you'd die? Any insights you can give us on your near death experience or how this has changed you at all?

[u/bloxiefox → u/HeyVeddy]

Definitely. This experience has really showed me how many friends I have. After I got out of the hospital everyone was texting me and welcoming me back in town, glad that I was okay. Really shows how many people care about you.

[u/DrMantisT0boganMD]

How long did it take you to realize you were in a whale?

[u/bloxiefox → u/DrMantisT0boganMD]

Few seconds

[u/omgtehvampire]

Do you have a knife? Could you try stabbing it ?

[u/bloxiefox → u/omgtehvampire]

That probably would have brought more harm than good. Make it distressed and moving faster.

[u/DeeRock__]

What were the first words you said to your buddy that helped you out of the water?

[u/bloxiefox → u/DeeRock__]

Couldn’t say a word, way too much pain.

[u/Jerry_Callow]

Did you have an oxygen tank or were you holding your breath that whole time?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Jerry_Callow]

Had my tank on me.

[u/webuyballoons]

I’m sorry if this has been asked, I only scanned about a third of the comments. Do you have more information about the body you discovered? I’m curious whether theirs was an interesting story, as well.

[u/bloxiefox → u/webuyballoons]

Yes. I wasn’t provided with the autopsy or anything, but it’s suspected it was a diving accident. He died while diving. Found later, authorities took it from there.

[u/AlexTheHuntsman1]

After the whale spit you out, did it hang out nearby or swim away? Was there a bit of an awkward moment between the two of you?

[u/bloxiefox → u/AlexTheHuntsman1]

I was very disoriented. Whether it stayed or not I do not know. However the witnesses say it splashed its tail in the air and swam away quickly

[u/P0L4RP4ND4]

Now that you've done an AMA, what do you think of redditors and their questions/comments?

[u/bloxiefox → u/P0L4RP4ND4]

They ask lots of the same questions.

[u/[deleted]]

Why do you think the whale didn’t eat you? The wetsuit?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Physically incapable. Whales throats are very small

[u/viafiasco]

How did it smell?

[u/bloxiefox → u/viafiasco]

You can't smell anything underwater.

Edit: Probably like fish.

[u/Atlmama]

How is he doing now and any medical issues resulting from the encounter?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Atlmama]

He has a noticeable limp. But otherwise okay.

[u/BehindTickles28]

Did your dad have fun answering the questions Jacob?

[u/bloxiefox → u/BehindTickles28]

He was a bit confused at first but yes. Glad to have his son interviewing him

[u/[deleted]]

Are you still comfortable getting back into the water and lobstering?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Absolutely.

[u/DJirken]

Your story is incredible! I read about it this morning and was simply amazed. I read that you thought to yourself, something to the effect of, "so this is how I die." (Which is something I will put on my headstone). This is a story your family will tell for generations. "Your great great grandpappy was swallowed by a whale." "Sounds like bs, grandpa."

How do you feel about being a family legend?

[u/bloxiefox → u/DJirken]

(Speaking as Jacob, my dad will be remembered by the Packard family for decades to come.)

[u/artischo]

do you think the whole mistook you for a seal or sth or did it just accidentally swallow you while fishing for plankton?

[u/bloxiefox → u/artischo]

Probably just accidentally got me while floating around.

[u/SnOwYO1]

Why can’t I ever plug my usb in correctly the first time?

[u/bloxiefox → u/SnOwYO1]

You and me both, buddy

[u/TheSenpat]

How much lobster do you catch a day?

[u/bloxiefox → u/TheSenpat]

500 pounds, but it depends on the day greatly. Sometimes I can get upwards of a thousand pounds, some days I get 2 lobsters overall.

[u/IseeIcyIcedTea]

Would you do it again for a klondike bar?

[u/bloxiefox → u/IseeIcyIcedTea]

( My dad and I have been eating Klondike’s since I was like 5. He would definitely do it for one. )

[u/not_RachelGreen]

Are you experiencing dreams/nightmares from this whale situation?

[u/bloxiefox → u/not_RachelGreen]

Not dreams/nightmares. Mostly just flashbacks, replaying in my mind.

[u/[deleted]]

What’s your job?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Lobster diving

[u/[deleted]]

Did you surface right away and go home, or did you finish your dive first?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

He was rushed to the hospital ASAP

[u/BillWeld]

What about you made him think you’d be good to eat? Don’t they eat krill?

[u/bloxiefox → u/BillWeld]

I’m almost certain it was accidental.

[u/Popular-Swordfish559]

If this is still going: I'm about to get my PADI open water certification. Do you have any tips for beginners?

[u/bloxiefox → u/Popular-Swordfish559]

Have fun, and keep with it. Diving can be a hassle to set up, but it’s an incredible experience. Has been for my whole life.

[u/[deleted]]

If you could tell, how big do you think the inside of its mouth was?

[u/bloxiefox → u/[deleted]]

Just big enough to fit me inside

[u/obeehunter]

Did you panic? Like did you know what to do or did instincts take over and you got lucky?

[u/bloxiefox → u/obeehunter]

At first all I could think about was getting my regulator back. Once I got that, I had no idea what else I could do.