Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457: Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach(Video, Photos)

Dr. Bishan Rajapakse, an emergency room physician, ended up in the ER himself earlier this week. Dr. Rajapakse was surfing off Bondi Beach (New South Wales, Australia) when a southern right whale came to within 120 meters of shore. Naturally curiosity prevailed and the surfing doc and others paddled up to the leviathan. After the whale maneuvered - what for it was a mild stoke with one of its flippers - Dr. Rajapakse was knocked off of his surf board and unconscious. His mates and the life guards got him to shore and off to the hospital.  

In this image (1:29) a trace contraction of Dr. Rajapakse's central forehead (CFC) can be seen. In this context it is certainly expected since a CFC is seen accompanying the display of physical or emotional pain (for oneself or another via empathy). In what other cluster-contexts is the CFC seen?



Bihan's eyes are also opened considerably wider than normal. This nonverbal is common with fear (which he is re-experiencing as he recounts his story) and increased adrenaline states. What other emotional states are consistent with widely opened eyelids?

In this moment (1:31) his fear crescendo is peaking to more fully express itself. As a physician and a human being he realizes events could have been much worse.

The CFC is still present and more fully manifested. If greater fear were present his forehead would be contracted over its entire width. His eyebrows are also now significantly elevated and his eyelids are opened even more fully.

Of particular note is Dr. Rajapakse's mouth - the corners are pulled out and downward with his lips very tightened. If the fear were more extremely felt, his teeth - particularly his lower teeth would be visible.

The multiple dimples of his chin are also consistent with this fear expression. What is virtually always overlooked though - particularly in more subtle displays of fear - is the tenting up of his neck muscles - the platsyma and sternocleidomastoid - which are fairly strongly exemplified here. In higher moments of fear the head, neck and torso will pull backwards (not seen here).

This cetacean sparring surfer's fear is easy for most people to spot. Yet subtle levels of fear are often present but seldom recognized in the sales process, in negotiations, in depositions, voir dire, etc. - and thus very valuable and actionable information slips though fingers every single day.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2454:  NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman & a Subtle "Neck of Fear"

Body Language Secret # 702:  Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear,  trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2053:  Strong Signal of Fear-Sadness Anxiety -  Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2344:  Jillian Michaels Body Language  Neck of Fear & Mouth of Fear 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456: Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband - Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

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