But I look down and there is a 3m saltwater crocodile hanging off my left leg.

I have started pulling myself up again and it goes for another death roll — popping and twisting that same leg.

Hanging on for life

Dig Dig runs along the croc’s head, onto my back and takes off into the bush.

The saltwater crocodile that attacked Todd was captured after the attack. Source: Supplied

The crocodile goes for another bite, I go to push him with my left hand, and he pins it to my left leg with its teeth. The big tooth is right in the middle of my hand.

I hold my breath and think that I’m not coming back above the water. I think, ‘this is it’.

‘I am too young to die’

I am 28 years old and too young to die.

I look down and it’s still there. We burst into laughter.

The ambulance then arrives. Hallelujah.

Recovering from the attack

I had conversations with a few therapists at the hospital on multiple occasions, and they essentially confirmed my thoughts by saying, “you’re right.” I believe I managed everything fairly well—probably because I am open to discussing my emotions.

Todd stayed in hospital for three months recovering from the attack. Source: Supplied

It turns out that the woman’s voice I heard was a local named Raelene Motton who was 300m away in the carpark of a pub having a cigarette when she heard my cries.

If it wasn’t for her good ears, I would be dead.

‘The big things don’t worry me anymore’

But worse things happen to other people; people die in car crashes every day. Many people aren’t still here to tell their stories.

Todd’s mum Cathy visiting him in hospital while he was recovering. Source: Supplied

I still love fishing but am a little bit more cautious around water these days. And because I thought everything was all over for me that day, nothing really fazes me now.