How do you avoid a shark attack?

Don’t go in the WATER!!!   

How often have we heard that statement from a friend or acquaintance or even “Aren’t you afraid you’ll be attacked by a shark?”  When in reality you have a better chance of dying from a bee sting, a dog or snake bite, or lightning than from a shark attack.

No matter how small the threat, it is still real. And the best way to be prepared is to know how to avoid an attack, what to do if you are bitten, and how to help shark attack victims.

When you look at the average number of unprovoked shark attacks on divers worldwide there are approximately 50 reported attacks yearly, while during the years of 1900 to 1999 there were only 192 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks against divers.  These statistics are from the International Shark Attack File http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/Fish/Sharks/statistics/statistics.htm. 

So when you are diving, but no sharks are in sight, look out for fins. If you see a shark stay calm, as sudden movements may attract the sharks’ attention.  Keep the shark in sight since sharks tend to stay away from divers who look directly at them.  Swim swiftly but calmly back towards the boat or shore but if all else fails be prepared to fight back. 

Why sharks attack

The majority of shark attacks are mistakes.  They presume that we’re one of their prey resembling a sea lion or seal with our fins and wetsuit.

Sharks are designed to hunt and eat large amounts of high-fat meats such as fish, sea turtles, whales, sea lions, and seals but humans are not on their menu. In fact, humans don’t provide enough high-fat meat for sharks, since they need a lot of energy to power their large bodies.

Sharks aren’t interested in eating humans, so why do they attack us?  We need to remember that sharks have no way to feel their food except by taking a bite and tasting it.  They need to feel objects over with their mouths to decide whether they want to eat it or not.  Once the shark gets a taste, it realizes that we aren’t its usual food and will usually spit us out or lets us go after carrying them underwater for a ways.  Unfortunately, by that time the piece they have tasted has caused massive damage and created a fatality.  It is very rare for sharks to repeatedly attack people and actually feed on them, although there are recorded cases.

The usual reason that sharks bite is because they have been provoked, either by putting food in the water or grabbing them as they swim by. Other times, it’s just because someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Types of shark attacks

Divers who try touching, feeding or riding sharks usually cause provoked attacks.  In early February 2008 a diver was killed near the Bahamas while on a guided shark dive where the water had been baited with bloody fish parts to attract sharks.  The dead diver was not using a cage or any other form or protection.  Although this was a rare occasion it is all the more reason to be aware of the conditions you’re diving in and the dangers related to any dive.

Unprovoked attacks can take various forms and happen when sharks make the first contact.  They include sneak attacks that usually take place in deeper water where the diver doesn’t see the shark prior to the attack.  These attacks usually result in serious injury or death due to the location and time required to get help.

When diving around reefs or in open water a shark may do the bump and bite attack where they circle and actually bump into a diver or snorkelers with their head or body before taking a bite.

The hit and run attack will usually happen to snorkelers or divers in shall water.  A shark may mistake their movements for those of their normal food. The shark makes one grab, biting a leg, foot or arm and then lets go, and usually leaves the area.  Injuries from these attacks are usually minor and rarely result in death.

Remember, if a shark does bite you; try to get away before it takes you under for too long. Poke it in the eye, hit it on the snout, or head and it will usually let go of you.

What to do if you’re attacked

If an attack appears imminent, defend yourself with whatever you have available concentrating on the shark’s eyes, gills or snout.  If possible avoid using your hands or feet since they can easily end up in the sharks mouth.

If you’re bitten, try to stop the bleeding. Leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible. Get medical attention immediately, no matter how small the injury.

How to keep safe

Don’t swim in murky waters, where sharks can mistake you for natural prey. Additionally, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, since these are primary feeding times for sharks.

Sharks can detect even the smallest amount of blood in the water so stay clear of fishing boats. Do not swim with an open cut and it is advised that women that are menstruating should avoid the water.  

Don’t wear highly contrasting or bright colors, as well as anything that may glitter, such as jewelry. This can attract sharks, which see contrasting objects very well.

Stay away if you see large groups of dolphins and seabirds since they are attracted to the same food that sharks enjoy and can be prey for large sharks.  When possible avoid large groups of fish, seals, or sea lions.  If fish start to behave erratically, or congregate in large numbers, leave the area.

Avoid sandbars and drop-offs, as this is where sharks tend to hang out.

Don’t swim where dangerous sharks are known to congregate and don’t enter the water if sharks are present.  If a shark is sighted leave the water as calmly and quickly as possible.

Dive with other divers since sharks most often only attack individuals.

If you are spear fishing remove-speared fish from the water or tow them at a safe distance beyond you and if you see a shark release your catch and quietly leave the area.

If you are diving and are approached by a shark, stay as still as possible.  And once it is clear leave the water quickly and calmly.

How to help a victim

When you are diving and a fellow diver is attacked try to remove them from the water as soon as possible but be sure to start controlling the bleeding by pressing on pressure points.  Once you have them out of the water focus on stopping the bleeding, keeping their legs raised to reduce shock and wrapping them in a blanket to minimize heat loss.

Then have someone call for medical help or get them to a hospital as quickly as possible.