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
- Always stay in groups: Sharks are more likely to attack an
individual.
- Do not wander too far from shore: This isolates you and places you
far from assistance.
- Avoid being in the water during dark or twilight hours: Sharks
are most active during this time and have a competitive sensory advantage.
- Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if
menstruating: A shark's sense of smell is unbelievable.
- Avoid wearing shiny jewelry: The reflected light resembles the
sheen of fish scales.
- Avoid swimming or wade fishing in waters with known effluents or sewage:
In these areas, anything could be considered food by a scavenging shark.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Avoid uneven tanning and bright-colored clothing: Sharks see
contrast extremely well.
- Refrain from excessive splashing: Your splashing may look like an
injured fish which to most predators in the wild means an easy meal.
- Do not allow pets in the water: Their erratic movements may trigger
an attack for the same reasons as the splashing.
- 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.