AVOID SHARK ATTACKS
Reduce the risk of an Accidental Attack
By: Manuel Z
Created July 26, 2001

The risk of a shark attack is very small, minimize the risk whenever possible during any ocean activity.


 These rules can reduce the chances of having an interaction with a shark

  1. Always stay in groups: Sharks are more likely to attack an individual.
  2. Do not wander too far from shore: This isolates you and places you far from assistance.
  3. Avoid being in the water during dark or twilight hours: Sharks are most active during this time and have a competitive sensory advantage.
  4. Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating: A shark's sense of smell is unbelievable.
  5. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry: The reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
  6. Avoid swimming or wade fishing in waters with known effluents or sewage: In these areas, anything could be considered food by a scavenging shark.
  7. Avoid swimming or playing in areas being used by sport or commercial fishermen: Fishermen sometimes use bloody baits, weather it be intentional or not, the blood attracts sharks to the area.
  8.  Avoid swimming in areas with signs of bait fish or feeding activity: Diving seabirds and jumping schools of bait fish are good indicators of such areas.
  9. Use extra caution when waters are dark and murky: Sharks have poor vision and may attack just to see if you are an easy meal.
  10. Avoid uneven tanning and bright-colored clothing: Sharks see contrast extremely well.
  11. Refrain from excessive splashing: Your splashing may look like an injured fish which to most predators in the wild means an easy meal.
  12. Do not allow pets in the water: Their erratic movements may trigger an attack for the same reasons as the splashing.
  13. Use extreme caution when entering the deep area between sandbars or near steep drop offs: These are favorite hangouts for sharks. and they do most of their predatory feeding in these areas.

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