23 replies to this topic

[Marvel]

Although the incident rate of sharks attacking divers is extremely low, 61 unprovoked attacks in 2004, according to this article on The Florida Museam of Natural History website, it's probably a good idea to review some information & stratagies just in case. Here's a link to an article on the same site, Advice to Divers Encountering a Shark, that I found interesting.

[drdiver]

That WAS interesting. Especially the part about not being a passive victim after an attack.

[leaudaustin]

Thanks for posting that. I saw the poke'em in the nose strategy demonstrated on a PBS science program many years ago and it really stuck in my head. The divers had simple poles. But I haven't heard that technique re-iterated, though I've actually been keeping my eye out for it recently.

Most advice wrt shark danger that I've come across is a list of do-nots to avoid attracting attention (and the advice seems to be introduced often like this: "This is what to do when you encounter aggressive sharks...but actually, we're not going to tell you what to do then, instead we'll give advice on how to avoid an encounter and be silent on what you might want to try if a shark decides to attack you anyway.").

Certainly avoiding a confrontation is the best strategy, but it's nice to know some behavioral strategies should that fail for whatever reason.

[Walter]

That's mostly good information, but I would change a few things.

If a shark is sighted, stay calm and maintain your position in as quiet a manner as possible.

I would not recommend remaining motionless, unless you want a close look. Hanging motionless tends to bring them in for a closer look.

Let it have it - no catch is worth the risk of personal injury.

Personal choice, but unless the shark is extremely aggressive, I don't believe it's a good idea to feed sharks.

If you are in open water, orient back-to-back with your dive partner and gradually rise to the surface and the safety of your boat.

Don't surface until you are under the boat. A surface swim with aggressive sharks under you is a bad idea.

Additionally, swimming toward the shark will usually cause it to leave.

[leaudaustin]

Hanging motionless tends to bring them in for a closer look.

This makes me wonder how we moving divers feel to sharks and fish along their lateral-line. With our independent fins moving in opposite directions in close turbulent proximity, it may be quite unique. Any other sea creature create that kind of stir? Most streamlined swimmers seem to have a single-fin at their rear. Turtles fins are separated quite a lot more. Octopus, cuttlefish, jellyfish and squid seem like they would be quite different too.

[Basslet]

Thanks for the links. Very interesting reading.

[zendiver]

Don't surface until you are under the boat. A surface swim with aggressive sharks under you is a bad idea.

Additionally, swimming toward the shark will usually cause it to leave.

I couldn't agree more and from a first hand experience, it works.

[GentDiver]

Let it have it - no catch is worth the risk of personal injury.

Personal choice, but unless the shark is extremely aggressive, I don't believe it's a good idea to feed sharks.

Walter, I don't agree that you are "feeding the shark." In my opinion what they are suggesting is not carring the thing that is probably attracting the shark, namely your catch. If it's between giving the shark your catch of the day or getting bit I would vote for giving up your catch.

Scott

:lam:

[Latitude Adjustment]

Don't remain motionless, that and avoiding eye contact is what photographers do to bring them in close for better pictures.
I met a California MS principle in Fiji who had been mugged by a shark showing aggressive behaviour, it took repeated hits on the nose with some very expensive camera gear before it left her alone. She is hoping to sell the pictures to Shark Diver magazine.

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[Walter]

If it's between giving the shark your catch of the day or getting bit I would vote for giving up your catch.

No argument, but sharks rarely get that aggressive. The article said:

If a shark is sighted, ........................ If you have been spearfishing or abalone gathering and are holding your catch, release the catch and quietly exit the area.

While there are situations in which I would drop my catch, merely seeing a shark isn't one of them

[Ariesno1]

Marvel, thanks for the interesting link.

[GentDiver]

If a shark is sighted, ........................ If you have been spearfishing or abalone gathering and are holding your catch, release the catch and quietly exit the area.

While there are situations in which I would drop my catch, merely seeing a shark isn't one of them

Agreed. I was reading into it the "Aggressive" part. that said I would certainly keep an eye on the shark just to be sure it didn't become aggressive.

Scott

:lam:

[TheSassyRabbit]

Interesting information!

[Marvel]

Marvel, thanks for the interesting link.

Your welcome! Pretty good info, especially in light of the recent attacks. Although divers are rarely attacked, hearing of one (& now 2) certainly tends to raise many peoples' anxiety levels a little. So, it's good to take a look at some stratagies- just in case!

[Trimix2dive]

I always hear the olde mermaids tale of biting the sharks nose to make him go away and leave you alone.