The internet is full of news about shark attack survival, which has given most sharks a terrifying reputation. The truth is that they are not all that bloodthirsty, and when a violent altercation between a shark and a human happens, it often makes the news.
Over the past couple of months this year, there have been several reports of shark attack survival as well as some deaths. Nevertheless, authorities on shark behavior are convinced these creatures are not mindless killers.
What the Statistics Say About Shark Attack Survival
According to The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, there were just 69 confirmed, unprovoked shark attacks on people and 36 confirmed bites worldwide in 2023. The numbers were even lower in 2022, with 57 confirmed, unprovoked shark bites on people and 32 bites.
If shark attacks were as common as headlines seem to imply, those numbers would tell a different story about attack and death rates. The fact that there are barely enough attacks annually proves that shark attacks are rare and unprecedented.
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Still, you can take some steps to ensure you don’t become a statistic on the shark attack survival or death records.
Shark Attack Survival 101: What To Do Before Entering the Water
Tips on some things to do before entering any water body include the following.
Know your environment
Sharks are saltwater animals that have made the sea their home. While in the ocean, you must never forget that you are on their turf as a visitor. “If you’re going to the ocean, you have to assume you could encounter a shark regardless of when or where that is,” said Neil Hammerschlag, director of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School.
Thankfully, a human is not on the top three list of favorite shark foods, so they tend to avoid people. However, some places are more likely to expose you to shark encounters, such as river mouths.
Avoid Estuaries
Estuaries are not the best place to enjoy recreational swimming or any other water-related leisure activity.
According to Richard Peirce, an author, shark expert, and former chair of the UK-based Shark Trust and Shark Conservation Society, estuaries have murky waters that attract bull sharks, a shark species known to be the most likely to attack humans along with great whites and tiger sharks.
“An awful lot of attacks occur in river mouths, where there is silt and other material in suspension in the river – people washing their clothes, people washing themselves,” Peirce said. Experts recommend that people also avoid the deeper channels between the shoreline and sandbars farther out and in areas where fishing is common.
Fishing, whether commercial or recreational, attracts sharks because materials like dead fish and fish parts are often discarded in the ocean, acting as lures for the sharp-nosed sharks.
Avoid dusk and dawn
Swimming early in the morning or late at night feels great, but it’s also when a shark attack is most likely. According to the experts, human-shark encounters are usually a case of mistaken identity “due to reduced visibility and identification ability” on the part of the shark.
Don’t wear shiny objects in the water
Jewellery can attract sharks looking for fish because when a shark catches a flash like that, it can confuse it for a meal. As such, it is best to avoid wearing anything flashy when you plan to swim in shark-infested waters.
Shark Attack Survival 101: What To Do When a Shark Is Nearby
Don’t Panic
If a shark is circling nearby, one thing you must not do is panic. Avoid splashing around, as that will excite and encourage the shark to be interested. If it does take an interest, one of the ways it will explore is by using its mouth. Unfortunately, this can result in bites.
Peirce said, “That’s why we often get exploratory bites which don’t result in death and sometimes don’t even result in serious injury. If you go swimming and splashing away, you’re almost inviting the shark to come give you an exploratory or an attack bite.”
Maintain eye contact
Sharks are ambush predators, so keeping them in your sight as they circle is crucial. This will not make it too comfortable to attack, as if it were creeping up on you. Experts advise you to posture your body toward the shark so it knows you see and follow it. Then, slowly retreat toward your exit to a boat or shore.
Shark Attack Survival 101: What To Do When You’re Being Attacked
Don’t play dead
If you play dead during a shark attack, you might really end up dead because, unlike bears, they will not give up if they think you’re dead. If you find yourself getting attacked, give as much as possible: punch, kick, and poke at sensitive spots – but be careful where you aim.
Experts urge caution when aiming to punch a shark because you may get too close to the mouth if you’re not careful. Try to get the nose or focus on the gills, which are very sensitive. If you have anything on you, you can also use it as a weapon to deter any curious sharks. Above all, make sure the shark does not get behind you.
Slowly back away
As you back away, displace the least amount of water possible. Avoid thrashing and splashing around as you gradually make your way back toward shore.
While doing the above may help, experts say that if a large shark is in attack mode, there is not much you can do at that point.
What Scares a Shark Away?
There are various ways to scare a shark away, but they require different levels of premeditation and preparation. One good example is electrical shark deterrents, devices that emit electrical pulses to overwhelm a shark’s electro-sensory system, making it difficult for them to locate prey.
There are also olfactory repellents, natural repellents, such as certain fish that secrete substances that irritate sharks’ gills, and sound repellents.
Why Do Dolphins Protect Humans From Sharks?
Dolphins have been observed protecting humans from sharks. However, scientists have yet to fully understand their reasons for doing so. Some suspect dolphins are extending the protection they typically reserve for their young to humans, but there is no scientific proof to back up the theory.
Some experts suspect the defensive action is fueled by curiosity and nothing more. Either way, a dolphin to the rescue is an incredible sight.
What Is a Shark’s Weakness?
Most sharks cannot tolerate freshwater. It dehydrates them, dulls their senses, and compromises their reproduction. The shark’s nose and gills are also touted as sensitive areas that can be exploited as weaknesses in an attack.
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What Is the Best Weapon Against a Shark?
Any weapon is better than no weapon when it comes to shark attack survival. However, divers now use some great innovations to protect themselves underwater.
These weapons, some tools, can deter sharks and, in some cases, even help you kill them in the event of an attack. Some of them include a shark shield, shark suit, bang stick, the good ol’ knife, and shark repellents.
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