Need Our Service
Here's a fact that most of us can agree on: Cars are getting more advanced with each passing day. Despite the emergence of technologies like self-driving cars, motor oil remains one of the most important elements of an internal combustion vehicle's makeup. You probably heard your parents preach about changing your car's oil frequently, and they were right. If you want to take care of your car, you've got to change its oil. Luckily, many modern cars include a built-in service reminder that notifies you when an oil change is necessary.
Even though your car's onboard computer can help with reminders, it's still a good idea to check oil levels often. The problem is that in today's day and age, lots of folks don't have the time or patience to change oil themselves. Ask yourself this: When was the last time lifted the hood of your car and checked your oil? What about your air filter and windshield wipers?
Between long workdays, impromptu meetings, family obligations, and life's little surprises, changing oil by yourself can be both difficult and frustrating. You know that your oil needs to be changed, but you just don't have the bandwidth to get it done. If that sounds familiar, it might be time for a mobile oil change in West Ashley, SC.
Mobile oil change services allow you to focus on your busy life without having to get your hands dirty or wait in line for hours at the dealership. And when it comes to mobile oil changes in West Ashley, none do it better than On the Go Mobile Oil Change Service.
Oil changes are a common type of maintenance for most car owners. However, have you ever considered getting an oil change at your own home? On-demand oil change services are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience. This means that instead of going to a garage, a mechanic comes to you, whether it's at your house or place of work.
Mobile oil changes are just as official as oil changes done in garages. They involve professional work performed by experts who have all the necessary tools to complete the job. Before your appointment, our team at On the Go Oil Change will request information about your car, such as the make, model, and mileage. Based on this information, we will determine the type of oil your car needs and ensure that we have everything we need before we come to you.
All you have to do is park your car on a flat surface with the hood unlatched, and our mobile oil change team will take care of the rest. After we're done, we'll always reach out to let you know how it went and to check if you need any additional work completed.
When it comes to maintaining your car, you can trust our oil change experts to keep your vehicle running smoothly anywhere in West Ashley. Our team comes to your location ASAP, whether it's a parking spot near your office or in your own driveway. Once we arrive, we will work hard and efficiently to quickly complete your mobile oil change in West Ashley, SC.
After all, your time is valuable. That's why we come to you - so you don't have to wait in a crowded waiting room or somewhere else while we work on your car. With On the Go Oil Change, you can rest easy knowing your car or truck is in capable hands. That way, you can focus on what you need to accomplish rather than worrying about drip pans and oil filters.
Our process is easy and streamlined to make your life as easy as possible.
1
When you're ready for mobile auto service, call us at 843-406-3466 to receive an estimate and reserve an appointment. You can also book your appointment via our website.
2
Once you reserve your appointment time and date, we bring a wealth of auto experience directly to you. Our technicians show up on time with a smile, provide efficient and thorough auto services like oil changes, and let you go about your day.
3
Once we've completed your auto services, it's time to get back on the road with confidence knowing that On the Go Mobile Oil Change took great care of you and your car.
Depending on your needs, we can help assist with a variety of mobile auto services in West Ashley, SC, including the following:
This package includes a full synthetic oil change and filter change.
Time: 30 Mins
Cost: $79.99
Includes 5 quarts of oil. Additional quarts are billed at $10 per quart.
This package includes a full synthetic oil change, filter change, and windshield wiper replacement.
Time: 45 Mins
Cost: $109.99
Includes 5 quarts of oil. Additional quarts are billed at $10 per quart.
This package includes a full synthetic oil change, filter change, air cabin filter change, and windshield wiper replacement.
Time: 45 Mins
Cost: $129.99
Includes 5 quarts of oil. Additional quarts are billed at $10 per quart.
This package includes a full synthetic oil change, filter change, air filter replacement, cabin filter replacement, and windshield wiper replacement.
Time: 45 Mins
Cost: $149.99
Includes 5 quarts of oil. Additional quarts are billed at $10 per quart.
Want to learn more about mobile oil changes or the other auto services offered by On the Go Oil Change Service? Contact our office or leave us a message on our website. We'd love to hear from you!
Is your vehicle trying to tell you that it needs some attention? One of the ways it communicates with you is through signs indicating that it's time for an oil change. Ignoring these signals can lead to unwanted - and very expensive - consequences. Let's take a closer look at the most common signs that your car needs fresh oil and why neglecting this crucial task can be a costly mistake.
You've probably seen some blinking lights illuminate on your car's dashboard when you start the engine. These lights are essentially your car's way of communicating with you. Among those lights is the oil light on your dashboard. If it starts blinking, it means that your vehicle is sending you an important message: "I need an oil change!" Paying attention to this indicator is crucial because it can help you prevent potential engine damage.
If you notice thick and dark smoke coming out of your vehicle's exhaust, it could indicate burning oil which can be a result of using old and dirty oil. This can lead to poor performance and increase in emissions. Regular oil changes are essential for your vehicle's engine health and the environment. It's like a breath of fresh air for your car. So, help it breathe better and call On the Go Mobile Oil Change for help!
This might sound like a no-brainer, but it's normal for your car to make noises when it's on. That's especially true in the summer when you use your A/C to cool down your cabin. But if you're hearing strange sounds, like knocking or grinding, you may have a serious issue with your vehicle. Increased friction caused by old oil can produce unsettling noises in your engine. You can restore your car's smooth operation with a timely mobile oil change. If you still hear unsettling noises after your oil has been changed, your car might need further inspection by a mechanic.
Many of today's cars and even trucks focus on fuel efficiency to help save motorists a few dollars at the gas pump. If you observe a sudden decrease in your car's fuel efficiency, it could be a sign that your vehicle is struggling due to old engine oil. With regular oil changes, you can help ensure you're your engine runs smoothly, which eventually leads to enhanced performance and fuel efficiency.
Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed a nasty smell coming through your car's vents? A foul odor inside the car may indicate contaminated oil. Changing the oil refreshes the engine and improves your driving experience since you don't have to smell any gross odors coming from your vehicle.
As we mentioned earlier, it's easy to put off car maintenance. If you're like most folks living in West Ashley, you've got a busy 9-5 job and other obligations to accomplish every day. But if there's one thing you should try and keep up with, it's vehicle maintenance. And when it comes to maintenance, one of the most important areas to focus on is your engine's oil.
The oil in your engine is responsible for reducing friction and heat by lubricating moving parts. Fresh oil lubricates at its peak efficiency, which in turn minimizes the wear and tear on your engine components. Without a mobile oil change in West Ashley, SC, your engine's cylinder bores can wear out significantly faster. While it may be hard to notice on the camshafts, over time, this increased wear can create a significant loss in power.
But that's just the start. Keep the following issues in mind next time you feel like putting off an oil change.
Oil not only lubricates engine parts but also helps in cooling them down. Even regular cars have specific designs to reduce oil temperature, while race cars have dedicated oil coolers. However, surpassing oil change intervals can lead to a reduction in oil-based cooling, causing increased friction and excessive heat. When heat levels are too high, your engine can overheat, leading to even more problems.
Many complex mechanical systems require proper oil flow to function properly, such as variable valve timing, engine breathers, and turbochargers. Variable valve timing systems rely on the oil pressure of the engine to operate with precision.
Even a slight decrease in oil pressure, quality, or viscosity can adversely affect these systems. In the best-case scenario, the engine stops varying the valve timing properly. In the worst-case scenario, the variable valve timing system gets clogged, and it needs to be removed, replaced, or cleaned.
If you're used to skipping oil changes, you may have noticed the difference between how your car performs after having its oil changed. Fresh, new oil keeps the spinning parts of your engine running smoothly. When those parts run smoothly, your car doesn't have to use as much power to make revolutions. That, in turn, bumps up performance levels.
Did you know that the manufacturer's warranty for a new car can last up to ten years, but only if you follow the recommended maintenance schedule? If you miss too many oil changes, for example, the warranty terms could be declared void. If you ever need major repairs on your car, it could end up costing you thousands of dollars more than it would have if the warranty was still valid.
Having On the Go Mobile Oil Change service your car is one of the best ways to avoid unexpected - and more expensive - repairs.
Earlier in this article, we mentioned how decreased fuel economy could be a sign that you need your oil changed. It's also a symptom of infrequent oil changes. Failing to change your engine oil on time can lead to an increase in your fuel consumption. This is primarily caused by the increase in heat, reduction in compression due to worn cylinders, and lack of cooling, which ultimately results in lower fuel efficiency.
In the long run, this increase in fuel consumption can significantly raise gas costs, which end up being more expensive than mobile auto services in West Ashley, SC.
Turbochargers are widely used in modern cars to increase their power and efficiency by utilizing waste energy from the exhaust. They are responsible for the popularity of small, high MPG-achieving engines found in many popular auto brands.
Turbos spin at incredibly fast speeds, exceeding 10,000 RPM, and require a substantial supply of oil to operate efficiently. Any pause or disruption in the oil supply can cause the turbine to overheat and fail. Since half of the turbo is in the path of the air entering the engine, in the event of a catastrophic failure, shards of the turbine can break off and enter the engine, resulting in severe damage.
Most new car owners don't think of the resale value of their new vehicle as they're driving it off the lot. That doesn't change the fact that you may decide to sell or trade it in for a new vehicle down the road. If that happens, make sure you get your oil changed regularly.
By following a regular schedule of oil changes, you can increase the resale value of your car. This is because the engine will perform noticeably better during an inspection or test drive. It's important to keep a detailed record of all maintenance, including oil changes, as this can further improve your sale price.
APPOINTMENT
At this point, you may be wondering how many miles you should wait before having a mobile oil change. As a general rule, it's a good idea to have your oil changed every three thousand miles. However, some newer model cars only require an oil change every 7,500 miles. The bottom line is that every car is different. It's best to refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for detailed information on oil changes.
At this point, you may be wondering how many miles you should wait before having a mobile oil change. As a general rule, it's a good idea to have your oil changed every three thousand miles. However, some newer model cars only require an oil change every 7,500 miles. The bottom line is that every car is different. It's best to refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for detailed information on oil changes.
We take pride in using quality oils and filters and provide a variety of extra services, such as auto filter changes and wiper blade replacements. By keeping our mobile oil change services reasonably priced, we can help ensure they get the best possible value for their money.
Whether you need us to change your oil at your house, your office, or somewhere else, we've got you covered. If you own a business that requires company vehicles, we can even service your fleet of cars or trucks. Contact our office today to schedule your mobile oil change or to learn more about our mobile auto services in West Ashley.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — West Ashley is home to South Carolina’s first-ever food forest.Funded through a $50,000 grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Charleston Parks Conservancy launched the project with the City of Charleston and other partners to provide free and nutritious options in areas struggling with food insecurity.“In the end, this will end up producing about 30,000 pounds of fresh organic produce, in a community that doesn't have great access to healthy foods,” said Darlene Hea...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — West Ashley is home to South Carolina’s first-ever food forest.
Funded through a $50,000 grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Charleston Parks Conservancy launched the project with the City of Charleston and other partners to provide free and nutritious options in areas struggling with food insecurity.
“In the end, this will end up producing about 30,000 pounds of fresh organic produce, in a community that doesn't have great access to healthy foods,” said Darlene Heater, executive director of Charleston Parks Conservancy.
Rows of more than 75 plants, ranging from nut trees to berry bushes, line Mulberry Park in West Ashley.
READ MORE: "Hendrick Automotive Group donates $100,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank."
The first in the state, Charleston’s new food forest will provide free, fresh produce to those who need it most.
“What's beautiful about a food forest is that anybody can access it at any time. So, you're not relying on someone's opening hours or the availability to be able to go to a source to get food,” Heater said. “It is in the community and available to the community for whoever needs it.”
The forest features seven tiers of agriculture and will begin producing roughly $25,000 worth of food annually in the first five years.
The conservancy has worked with several local groups, like Slow Food Charleston, to make the flagship project come to life.
“To help bring good, clean, and fair agricultural products to our community, to communities that may not have access to them. To have them engage in a manner that is enriching,” said Kellie Holmes, co-chair of Slow Food Charleston.
READ MORE: "Hansley's Free Fridge project is fighting food insecurity in South Carolina."
Accessibility is at the root of it all.
The food forest is in the Ardmore neighborhood, a lower-income area that could be categorized as a food desert. It isn't an uncommon issue. Around 40.5 million Americans live in USDA-designated food deserts nationwide.
“Mulberry Park is an ideal location. It is a community that, though it has some grocery stores in its vicinity, they are not necessarily grocery stores that everyone in the community can afford to go to,” Heater explained.
Located off the Bikeway, Charleston Parks Conservancy hopes the food forest will feed not only its closest neighbors but the greater West Ashley and Charleston area.
Pluck an apple, cut some herbs or pick some berries at South Carolina's first food forest, a new free-of-charge grove being built in the Ardmore community.With an expected seven stories of canopies and an estimated $25,000 annually in produce by its fifth year, Charleston Parks Conservancy director Darlene Heater acknowledged it's a remarkable undertaking for the local nonprofit."It's creating access ...
Pluck an apple, cut some herbs or pick some berries at South Carolina's first food forest, a new free-of-charge grove being built in the Ardmore community.
With an expected seven stories of canopies and an estimated $25,000 annually in produce by its fifth year, Charleston Parks Conservancy director Darlene Heater acknowledged it's a remarkable undertaking for the local nonprofit.
"It's creating access in food deserts but creating it in a way that is low-maintenance and little barrier for people to be able to participate in it," Heater said.
The food forest on Mulberry Street near Grech Street, and off the West Ashley Bikeway, is being funded by a $50,000 grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
While the conservancy is handling the horticulture, the City of Charleston's parks department is working to excavate the land, add pathways and install a new playground at the park. It is one of several conservancy projects this year, in addition to working with the city to manage 24 parks on the peninsula, on James Island and in West Ashley.
Parks Department director Jason Kronsberg compared the collaboration between the city, the conservancy and the community to a three-legged stool. The conservancy liaises with the neighborhoods, like Ardmore for the food forest, and then fundraises with them before going to the city to bring a project to life.
The food forest is intended to help the Ardmore neighborhood, recently identified in the Charleston parks master plan as a community of high need, along with the surrounding community.
Besides providing free access to produce, the forest can help people better understand where their food comes from, Kronsberg said. It's also an opportunity for folks to lend a hand with some maintenance.
"The parks are owned by everybody," Kronsberg said.
Story continues below
The project will not be without its challenges, though. As the weather in Charleston gets more severe, Heater said that the conservancy will need to tend to the forest carefully and make sure plants or produce don't wash away.
Teaching the community how to use — and not overuse — the one-of-a-kind forest will take time, too.
The conservancy plans to lean on its volunteer base to maintain the forest, such as harvesting, packing and sending excess produce to local nonprofits. There will be no constraints on harvesting to start, as to not adversely impact food accessibility, Heater said. Part of it will be trial and error, and much of the plan is flexible based on the demand the conservancy sees for certain produce.
"What we may learn is that this community really loves sweet potatoes but doesn't care as much about turnips," Heater said. "So let's look at how we can expand growing our sweet potato patch so that we can continue to serve the people adequately who most need it."
This spring will mark the first planting of the fruit trees, brambles and herbs. Heater said that best practices dictate not harvesting during the first year, so by the second year the conservancy expects to have herbs, mushrooms, brambles and possibly bananas to harvest.
By the fifth year, with an estimated 70 trees bearing fruit, Heater said she expects 10,000 pounds of produce.
The food forest comes two years after the adoption of a new Charleston parks master plan and months after the overwhelming approval of a bond referendum question last November.
"Citizens spoke loudly and clearly that they supported the referendum and improved park spaces," Kronsberg said. "Coming out of COVID, when parks became critical infrastructure, it was natural that there was that much support for a referendum."
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - West Ashley community members are asking for more volunteers to help them clean up visible homeless encampments.Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano claims there are around 340-350 homeless people in the county area and more than 650 homeless veterans in the Lowcountry. Many of them seek shelter or community with already established encampments.A large encampment near Savannah Highway was given notice to leave two weeks ago. The original site was established nearly eight months ago by one person,...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - West Ashley community members are asking for more volunteers to help them clean up visible homeless encampments.
Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano claims there are around 340-350 homeless people in the county area and more than 650 homeless veterans in the Lowcountry. Many of them seek shelter or community with already established encampments.
A large encampment near Savannah Highway was given notice to leave two weeks ago. The original site was established nearly eight months ago by one person, who was one of two left behind when the group of 20 people vacated.
“These people brought friends, and those people brought more friends. They ended up taking advantage of the people that let them in and then stole a lot of their stuff” Graziano says. “Then they took the notice we sent them and left.”
Both people, who asked not to be filmed, say they were upset that the area was left trashed.
The wooded area is private property and is surrounded by residential and commercial properties. Homeowners nearby call the trash, tents and items an “eyesore.”
Olivia Grafton runs a Facebook group called the “Charleston Litter Clean Up and Homeless and Mental Illness Awareness.” Grafton started this a few months ago as a West Ashley neighbor of 30-plus years.
“Find them, give them food, hygiene supplies, just check on them and build a connection to make them feel they still have hope,” Grafton says.
Grafton says she likes being able to share a smile and direct connection to her community, but without the numbers, these encampments remain unsustainable.
“A lot of people ask me why I do it, why do I spend all this time doing it? You have so many individuals out there that are struggling and they just feel worthless,” Grafton says. “We don’t know what their story is.”
Graziano says county and community resources are quickly drained by these spaces. The sheriff’s office tries to track encampments, but they often move quickly, making it difficult.
Graziano says many people she has spoken to have been given jail time for “petty charges,” like trespassing, littering and disorderly conduct.
The long-term goal is to learn more about the people and families living in encampments so they can get the resources they need to get back on their feet. This could mean a driver’s license, resources for a job, or basic survival needs.
“We’re chasing our tail. It’s not sustainable. This is a vicious cycle,” Graziano says. “It’s going to keep happening and more people are going to be homeless. We need to get folks together at the table that can make these decisions.”
The sheriff’s office works with Grafton to host clean-ups for different sites across West Ashley. The group tries to plan weekly, monthly or bi-monthly events, depending on where the need is for the community.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
The wide land west of the Ashley River is home to comfortable tree-lined streets with rows of homes, highways flanked by businesses and malls, villages like Avondale and emerging plans for revitalization.With a 2022 population of 83,996 people, West Ashley is the epicenter of Charleston, even though most people consider the peninsula to be more population.“What makes West Ashley special is the people,” said West Ashley Realtor Shana Swain, a former bartender with connections throughout the suburb. “It’s ...
The wide land west of the Ashley River is home to comfortable tree-lined streets with rows of homes, highways flanked by businesses and malls, villages like Avondale and emerging plans for revitalization.
With a 2022 population of 83,996 people, West Ashley is the epicenter of Charleston, even though most people consider the peninsula to be more population.
“What makes West Ashley special is the people,” said West Ashley Realtor Shana Swain, a former bartender with connections throughout the suburb. “It’s where the heart of Charleston is.”
West Of newspaper editor Lorne Chambers agreed, describing residents as having a “scrappy spirit.”
“They are not your traditional downtown Charleston people, but they are real Charlestonians,” he said. “In a way, this is the original Charlestown,” he said. “You have a lot of people over here who have a lot of pride in their community and hope for a better tomorrow.”
Dominated before World War II by farms and pastures, West Ashley bloomed into a middle-class suburban haven replete with everything from mind-numbing rush-hour traffic to chain stores that you can find in Columbus, Ohio.
But with a controversial development project being discussed at the former Piggly Wiggly site on Sumar Street and Ashley River Crossing, a planned pedestrian bridge connecting West Ashley and downtown, a question is what direction is the suburb headed.
The West Ashley Revitalization Committee has been spearheading the suburb’s path toward development. The committee’s Plan West Ashley aims for ambitious changes from economic development to flood prevention.
The Sumar Street development project was postponed in June, causing doubts about the strength of the committee’s plans.
City Councilman Karl Brady represents outer West Ashley. A board member of the West Ashley Revitalization Commission, he said West Ashley projects like the Sumar Street development project, were voted down by people who don’t have a vision for the future.
“They see West Ashley as it is but not as what it could be,” he said.
Brady, who currently is running for reelection, said that in revitalization it is important to remember where West Ashley started. It was the birthplace of Charleston when settlers landed at Charles Towne Landing in 1670.
“I think one thing lost on a bunch of people is that West Ashley is the birthplace of Charleston. That’s how we should treat it.”
Chambers, a former Charleston City Paper employee, said West Ashley is planning in the right direction, but there is not much to show for it.
“In people, you are seeing this shift away from these traditional big-box stores towards giving more community pride,” he said. “But we have to stay the course.”
Chambers said the community has historically wanted more than malls and commutes, but often ended up with Walmarts and chain businesses regardless.
Malls, he said, are a product of West Ashley’s suburban boom in the 1980s. The “retail apocalypse” of the 2010s crippled them. Now, West Ashley has a lot of vacant lots. Chambers said because the area is growing, some residents want to shed the concrete.
“Most citizens in West Ashley didn’t want another mall or gas station,” he said.
Donna Jacobs is a West Ashley historian and author. As a former board member of Plan West Ashley, Jacobs noticed a generational difference in what residents plan for their neighborhoods.
Jacobs said the West Ashley area has been split between two different models of how to live and build. It also is split between two different generations of Americans and what they want for the future.
In many ways, these splits are between those “inside the loop” and those “outside the loop,” meaning those who live north of the swath cut by Interstate 526 and those who live south of it — an area generally with more land and open space.
She said those who live inside 526 advocate for a walkable Avondale plan. But those outside of the interstate often want to keep West Ashley’s traditional shopping centers.
“Inside the loop, some of these younger residents would happily ride their bikes to work every day and walk their kids to school, regardless of the weather,” she said.
But others see cars as their primary way of commuting, “They kind of expect those old West Ashley malls to drive to,” she said.
Jacobs said the diverse lifestyles and history of West Ashley was a strength for living in the area. She added she thought West Ashley was a nice place to live regardless of whether you believe in the Avondale approach or the mall.
Alex Nettless, a former City Paper intern, is a student at Elon University.
*Multiple locations
Population 83,996
Ethnicity68% White26% Black3% Hispanic
Median age 38.7
Median household income $68,898
Percent above $100,000 31%
Households below poverty line 10%
Households above $200,000 7.6%
Households 36,864
Occupancy52% owner-occupied40.0% rental7.7% vacant
Education19.1% are high school graduates.30.7% have bachelor’s degrees.16.5% have graduate degrees.
Apparel and services $82M
Education $65M
Entertainment, Rec $121M
Food at home $201M
Food away from home $144M
Health care $213M
Household furnishings $83M
Shelter $734M
Travel $89M
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.No newspaper subscription cost.Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
WARNING: Some may find this story upsetting.BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A West Ashley man is recovering after he was attacked by an alligator while collecting fossils in the Cooper River earlier this week.William Georgitis was diving for fossils Monday afternoon when he was attacked and dragged to the bottom of the waterway, where he says he ran out of air.“When I surfaced, he was about 20 feet away from me and as soon as he saw me, he launched himself out of the water. I mean he was coming at me, almost h...
WARNING: Some may find this story upsetting.
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A West Ashley man is recovering after he was attacked by an alligator while collecting fossils in the Cooper River earlier this week.
William Georgitis was diving for fossils Monday afternoon when he was attacked and dragged to the bottom of the waterway, where he says he ran out of air.
“When I surfaced, he was about 20 feet away from me and as soon as he saw me, he launched himself out of the water. I mean he was coming at me, almost hydroplaning on the top. He was so determined to get there,” Georgitis said.
A massive alligator was about to get him.
“Put my arm up defensively and he grabbed hold of it. I mean, he was huge. I don’t even know how big he was because I was just right there. He felt massive,” he recalled. “I knew his first move once he grabbed me was to roll me. So, I bear-hugged him. I wrapped my arm around his head and my legs around his neck.”
Georgitis was then pulled underwater with little air left in his scuba tank.
“I got my screwdriver that I use on the bottom of the river, and I stabbed him in the eye, and when I did that, he shook me like a ragdoll. Threw me off of him- I grabbed ahold of him because I didn’t want him to roll again,” he said.
His arm was still in the gator’s clamped-down jaw.
“At that point, he took me to the bottom, and I could tell because my ears started popping and it got real black, and I hit the bottom with my shoulders and my neck and I could feel his weight pressing down on me,” he said.
Georgitis continued to recall his experience, “I couldn’t get up to his eye again, so I went for his gum line and tried to stab him between the teeth where the soft spots were, and that seemed to work. He shook me again, pretty hard down there, and at that point, I ran out of air.”
He was now 50-feet underwater, fighting an alligator without air.
“And so I knew that that was the end of my life at that moment,” he said.
But it wasn’t.
“I wrenched back as hard as I could trying to rip my arm off at the elbow. And I got out. I don’t know how,” he said. “I just thought that I tore it off and when I got back to the surface, it was flopping down hanging like a wet noodle. The guy in the boat dragged me. I couldn’t pull myself up.”
Georgitis now has some advice for other divers.
“This gator is extremely aggressive and he’s right there where everybody else dives. It’s a well-known spot and this thing is huge. He didn’t even take a second to attack me. He was on me as soon as he saw me. Whoever else is out there diving please be careful,” he said.
Georgitis said they quickly made it to the Bushy Park Boat Landing before rushing to the hospital. Fortunately, his arm is going to make it – but he may need some additional surgeries in the future.
He said he does not have insurance and is working to start a GoFundMe to help with medical bills. Until then, he said people can make a donation through Venmo (@William-Georgitis-1). But at this point, he is thankful to be alive.
