How to reduce your chances of being attacked by a shark

If you are every confronted by a shark there a several steps that will reduce the chances that it will visciously attacking. If the sharks see that you are human and not food they may loose intrerest and swim away. 

 

 

What NOT to do:

1. Do NOT take your eyes of the shark 

2. Keep calm and do NOT make sudden splashing movements

3. Do NOT swim at dusk or dark as some sharks prefer to hunt at night and due to the darkness may mistake  your for something else.

4. For the ladies - If you are menestuating do NOT swim in areas with potential sharks as they are attracted to  even a small amount of blood. Stay on the beach. 

5. Do not wear jewlery if you near sharks as they may mistake it for fish scales. Also wearing bright clothes  may attract sharks. 

 

Know your sharks

Only three species are likely to attack you. Seeing a hammerhead may be scary but unless provoked it most likely won't attack. 

 

Know your waters

Knowing where the potential risk of sharks are is very important. If you are holidaying near the ocean it would be worth contacting the tourism offices and ask about sharks. Checking with the locals would also be a good option. Or you could check out an interactive shark attack map by clicking here.

 

If a shark is circling that means an attack is iminent, fighting back is the only option. If the shark shows aggression and it is clearly going to attack try a hard blow to a sharks snout, eyes or gills will usually deter them. If you have a pole or  a speargun keep it aimed in the sharks direction (even a stick can help). The shark will not attack if it sees its in potential danger. These objects can be used to fend of or inflict pain on the animal.

 

If a shark is zigzagging it means its looking for the best angle to attack from, if escape is not an option get into a defensive position, for scubadivers the best option would be up against a reef or a rock reducing the amount of angles. Going backtoback will a companion will also help. 

 

If sea creatures start irratically swimming away chances are there is a predator on the way.