Fend Off a Shark

Be Aware

Most shark attacks occur in near shore waters,typically inshore of a sandbar or between sandbars where sharks feed and can become trapped at low tide. Areas with steep drop-offs are also likely attack sites. Sharks congregates in these areas, because their natural prey congregates there. Almost any large shark, roughly six feet or longer in total length, is a potential threat to humans. But three species in particular have repeatedly attacked man, the white shark, the tiger shark and the bull shark. All are cosmopolitan in distribution. reach large sizes, and consume large prey such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish as normal elements of their diets.

Three Kinds of Shark Attacks

Hit and Run
Attacks are by far the most common. These typically occur in the surf zone, where swimmers and surfers are the targets. The victim seldom sees its attacker, and the shark does not return after inflicting a single bite or slash wound.

Bump and Bite
Attacks are characterized by the shark initially circling and often bumping the victim prior to the actual attack. These types of attacks usually involve divers or swimmers in deeper waters, but also occur in in near shore shallows in some areas of the world.

Sneak
Attacks differ, the strike can occur without warning. With both 'bump and bite' and 'sneak' attacks, repeat attacks are common and multiple and sustained bites are the norm. Injuries
inccured during this type of attack are usually quite severe, frequently resulting in death.

How to Fend Off a Shark
1. Hit Back
If a shark is coming toward you or attacks you, use anything you have in your possession to hit the sharks's eyes or grills, which are the areas most sensitive to pain.

2. Make quick, sharp, repeated jabs in these areas.
Sharks are predators and will usually only follow through on an attack if they have the advantage , so making the shark unsure of it's advantage in any way possible will increase your chances of survival. Contrary to popular opinion, the shark's nose is not the area to attack, unless you cannot reach the eyes or grills. Hitting the shark simply tells it that you are not defenseless.

How to Avoid an Attack

• Always stay in group-shark are more likely to attack an individual.
• Do not wander too far from shore. This isolates you and creates the additional danger of being too far from assistances.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours, when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
• Do not enter the water if you bleeding from an open wound or if you are menstruating.
• Try not to wear shiny jewelry, because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with know effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are sign of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activity.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid showing any uneven tan lines or wearing brightly colored clothing-sharks see contrast particularly well.
  
• If a shark shows itself to you, it may be curious rather than predatory and will probably swim on and leave you alone. If you are under the surface and luckily enough to see an attacking shark, then you do have a good chance of defending yourself if the shark is not too large.