Nan Hauser

And here I am, you know, right on his mouth.

All he has to do is open his mouth.

I always had this feeling that I was going to die with a whale, and I thought that that was probably the day that I was going to die.

But I didn't panic.

I grew up with so many animals that I know don't panic around any kind of animal.

My heart was pounding.

And I just thought that, yeah, he's just going to tuck me under his pectoral fin and take me down into the deep.

And I had a mask and snorkel on.

Or he's going to hit me.

I didn't really know what he was doing.

I started thinking about my grandchildren.

And I really want to be here with my grandchildren.

I mean, there's so much going on in your head.

Your adrenaline's flowing, your heart is pounding so hard.

And being a scientist, I was so curious about what is this animal doing and why is he doing it?

Your thoughts of reality are coming in and out, but...

I really did, it did occur to me that, wait, I don't want to be killed today.

I have a lot more time to be a voice for these animals and be with my grandchildren.

I didn't want to kick him, so I just kept pushing myself away, but he really maneuvered beautifully to keep me on him or right next to him.

It just continued on and on.