What’s worse – being ripped limb from limb by a shark and bleeding to death while it eats you alive, or being swallowed whole by a humpback whale and chilling in its digestive tract until you suffocate to death and are turned into whale shit for the rest of the ocean to feed on?

Julie McSorley and her friend Liz Cottriein nearly experienced the latter while whale-watching on their kayak in Avila Beach, California, this week:

Holy shit! I’ve watched the video at least 20 times and it looks like both ladies were completely swallowed, but apparently they made it out alive with just a touch of PTSD and a crazy story and viral video they can cherish for a lifetime.

According to MailOnline, the only damage was Julie losing her car keys in the close call but both survived unharmed. Liz said:

I was infatuated by them and in awe. But I never expected one to be right here, in my face!

One of the craziest nature videos I’ve seen in a long time for sure. I mean I always knew a whale could just open its mouth and devour you in one go but to actually see it happen (or almost happen) to a fellow human being is wild stuff indeed.

Also of note were the flock of birds going nuts just before and after the whale attacked. Were they trying to help or just cracking up laughing at the end there? Probably the latter, considering what utter bastards they can be.