This shark feeding frenzy video is absolutely terrifying

Plenty of Americans head to North Carolina's Outer Banks for family vacations; those ubiquitous "OBX" decals on the backs of minivans practically come with the nuclear family starter kit.

But after watching this video of an alleged shark feeding frenzy at Cape Lookout National Seashore, mom and dad may never let the kids near the water again.

click to play video

The video, published on Oct. 13, captures what YouTube user Brian Recker describes as hundreds of sharks attacking a school of blue fish.

"As seagulls and pelicans joined in on the meal, the men began to cast into the surf, catching fish without the use of bait. For more than five minutes, the sharks were observed swimming in and out of the surf, some of which became beached in the fury."

The scene looks ripped straight from some nautical equivalent of "Pet Sematary", though as Recker points out, the surf of Cape Lookout is "extremely safe" for swimming, and the sharks' storming of the blue fish actually indicates "a very healthy ecosystem".

Well, sure. But the fishermen in the video can be the first ones in to prove just how safe the waters are.

Ryan Craggs is Thrillist's Travel Editor. He failed swimming lessons three times. Follow him @ryanrcraggs.