Shark Attack: Tips for Staying Safe Around Sharks

Sharks are most keen on eating fish, turtles, crabs, and other sea creatures, but they have been known to take a bite out of a person here and there. Usually when there is a shark attack on a person, it makes the news. The movie “Jaws” was hugely successful and was built around the idea of sharks attacking humans indiscriminately.

Most sharks will not attack humans on purpose. In most cases, it is simply a case of mistaken identity. The most dangerous sharks, and the ones known to bite humans, live in deeper, cooler waters, and won’t normally be swimming around near public beaches.

Bites do happen though. Keep in mind they are extremely rare. You are more likely to fall in your house and die from your injury. The following tips may help you understand why bites sometimes do happen.

– Sharks have a great sense of smell, but their vision is not quite as good.
– Sharks take their time when stalking prey, often making “trial runs” before actually sinking their teeth into the victim.
– Sharks often bite and hang on, waiting for the prey to die.
– Sharks can mistake surfers and swimmer for sea lions or seals.
– There are close to 350 known species of shark. Only an extremely low number of these have been known to bite humans.

Tips For Staying Safe

– Stay out of waters that are known to be shark infested.
– If a shark warning is posted, don’t ignore it.
– Don’t swim unattended or where no one is nearby to help you.
– The closer to the shore you stay, the less likely you are to run into a shark.
– Sharks really are attracted to blood. If you are cut or injured, stay out of the water.
– Don’t panic if you see a shark. You will draw attention to yourself if you splash around. Swim away as calmly as you can.
– If you are bitten, hit the shark in eyes or snout in an attempt to free yourself. Get out of the water as soon as you can. This is when swimming (or other underwater activities) with others is a good idea. You may not be able to swim away, so it’s important to have someone nearby who can get you out of the water as soon as possible.
– Do not swim in cloudy waters where you can be mistaken for prey.
– The flash of jewelry may draw a shark towards you. If you are going into the water, take off all jewelry for safety.
– If a shark is circling you, join hands with a buddy or two. This will make you appear larger, and sharks don’t like to attack prey that is larger than they are.

Final Thoughts

You chances of dying from a shark attack are extremely low, but if you are going into the water for swimming, surfing, or scuba diving, it never hurts to take precautions and know what to do if confronted. Teach yourself, and your children, how to remain safer in the water by being respectful of the nature of sharks.