"There's no better time to be an amputee than now." That's the view of Hawaiian surfer and shark attack survivor, Mike Coots. Despite advances in technology, what are the limitations on patients who are trying to get the correct prosthetic for their needs?

Decades ago, losing a limb would have posed an unfathomable amount of challenges for people.

But as the years have passed, the invention and development of prosthetics has opened the door to a new world of possibilities for amputees.

Surviving a shark attack

On a late October morning 17 years ago, United States surfer Mike Coots' life changed forever.

Coots was about 100 metres off the coast of his native Hawaiian island Kauai, body boarding in about 12 metres of water.

He began paddling for a wave, when out of nowhere, a large tiger shark surged up from the depths and latched on to his leg.

"When the shark was attacking me, I felt immense pressure - like a huge Hawaiian man was sitting on me. I felt no pain, just pressure," Coots said.

Coots began flailing around, punching the shark. Eventually the shark let go, and Coots began furiously paddling to shore.

"I had a sub-conscious feeling that I was going to die. But I also had a feeling that everything was going to be okay. I felt a real warm wave come over me of [feeling] at ease.

"I was just basically trying to hold-on to that state of consciousness."

Coots initially had no idea his leg had been taken. He believed his cut finger was the extent of his injuries.

Then reality set in.

"My leg started doing this weird shaking and vibrating, and I looked at it and it was gone. I had no idea it came off; it was an amputation better than a surgeon could have done," he says.

Coots lost several litres of blood, and has been told by doctors he's lucky to be alive.

But alive he is; and he's in Newcastle to share his story, while also getting a new prosthetic made by a local manufacturer.

Developments in prosthetics

Seventeen years ago, when Coots' attack happened, prosthetics were fairly rudimentary.

They weren't made to go in water, let alone the thumping ocean surf. Coots bent the rules though and satisfied his appetite for salt water.

Since then, technology has dramatically improved, and now carbon-fibre prosthetics are able to be constructed so amputees can live life as much as an able-bodied person can. Coots is testament to this - he uses a special prosthetic leg to surf.

The financial challenges of getting a prosthetic

In New South Wales, prosthetic limbs for amputees are currently funded under the state government's Health Support Service, specifically the 'EnableNSW' sub-organisation.

Patients who need a prosthetic consult with medical clinicians about their needs. Once the outcome has been established, the prosthetist applies to EnableNSW to fund the limb's manufacture.

Vala Dis Birgisdottir is a prosthetist who has worked for a prosthetics manufacturer in Broadmeadow for the last five years.

She said that under the current system, funding for a new limb is provided by the government to individuals on a three-yearly basis.

The government states that they only cover, "custom-made prosthetic limbs to replace upper or lower limb amputation or limb deficiency".

The funding does not cover a range of other prosthetic types, including 'recreational prostheses for adults' - meaning if an amputee over the age of 18 years wants a water-proof prosthetic like Mike Coots', they have to pay for it themselves.

And that is a costly exercise, with prosthetics worth thousands of dollars.

"People need different things," said Ms Birgisdottir.

"With the current funding you are covered for basic prosthetics. Up to the age of 18, you're entitled to a water-proof prosthesis or recreational prosthesis. Once you reach 18, if you want a spare limb for water or recreational activities, you have to fund it yourself.

"This is fund-based, so we are often quite limited. There's a pool of money that's shared between all the amputees."

Possible changes to the system

In July 2013, the federal government's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) began rolling out in select locations, including Lake Macquarie for people aged up to 65 years.

Ms Birgisdottir said it is hoped that when the NDIS is fully-implemented, funding for prosthetics will change.

While it is still early days for the disability support scheme, she said it is hoped amputees will be placed at the centre of the system, where they can determine their own future and be in control of the funding; that way more adult amputees can have support to buy a recreational prosthesis.

"What we are really looking forward to is the NDIS, which is going to be more outcome-based," she said.

"They will be more focussed on individual needs, and the amputee is going to have more control over the funding and their own needs, which is very positive.

"With the NDIS, we're looking at the outcome, their quality of life, and their needs and comfort. We're hoping we can start providing more prosthetics like Mike has, so they can actually go in the water and surf."

In an online NDIS document, it states that reasonable and necessary support will be provided to people with a disability who need a prosthetic.

"It is expected the NDIS will fund necessary and reasonable entry level supports that are the minimum required for a particular activity," the document states.

"Where the limb preferred by a participant is above the entry level it is expected that a participant would negotiate with the seller and pay any additional amount.

"The participant would also pay for repairs and replacement of the enhanced components."

Despite the current challenges, Mike Coots (who receives sponsorship for his prosthetics) said the Australian system is much better than the United States' support service for amputees.

"Australia is very progressive for amputees," he said.

"In America, our health care system is pretty broken. There're certain places, like New York, where [there's a scheme] called 'one life for limb'. If you break your leg the second day [after you receive] your prosthetic, you will not get another limb for the rest of your life."

Coots said his prosthetic is a lifeline for him, and allows him to surf and work as a professional photographer.

"I think my prosthetic is many times more valuable than any vehicle I could ever own.

"It gives me freedom; it gives me the ability to go out there and get a job, and see family and friends. It's an invaluable asset to an amputee."