The mahi found its means of escape by swimming over my shoulder. It hit me in the side of the head. The sailfish was still in pursuit and I tried to snap away as the bill came within inches of my chest. All kinds of thoughts went through my mind: "Will it hurt when it hits me? Will the bill bounce off my sternum? Will my dive skin give me any protection? At least my husband will know what got me when they recover my camera..." Fortunatly, the sailfish was in control and used its magnificent sail to manuever around me at the last possible moment.

All this was happening in a couple of seconds, but it was one of those moments where time seemed to stretch out.