Steve Irwin - out of his element

I have been meaning to write about Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, and his untimely departure from the surly bonds of earth.

First, I believe he was out of his element and perhaps didn't really realize it. I am certain that appropriate reactions and reaction times are very different underwater than on land. Steve Irwin was always very quick on his feet getting away from venemous bites and powerful crocs. Underwater must have seemed like slow motion.

Secondly, I do not believe "it was how he would have wanted it to be," dying that way. People always say that about untimely and dramatic deaths, but I think he wanted as much as the rest of us to keep doing what he was doing until he was too old to do any more. Being willing to take risks doesn't mean he wanted to die from them. He knew from his experience dealing with wild animals (developed from when he first learned to climb trees) how far to take things and so brought the risk level to himself down to a more or less reasonable level. We all take risks every day, driving a car, crossing the street, etc. His were just of a different magnitude.

Finally, specifically as to the means of his death, based on the very little information published, it seems he died of a lacerated heart as much as of the injection of poison from the sting ray. The ray was apparently 240 pounds, so its tail must have been quite large. Their tails are like serrated knives, so one can imagine.

What a tragic miscalculation. What a sad loss.