Believe it or not, sharks are among the most misunderstood creatures of nature. Although they are deadly and extremely efficient predators, which have hardly mutated over hundreds of millions of years, they are responsible for very few human deaths each year. Statistically, you have a better chance of being struck by lightning or just drowning while swimming near the beach. However, with proper care and common sense precautions, you can further reduce the risk of being attacked by sharks. Read these simple tips to enjoy safe swimming for the rest of your life !.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Avoiding Dangerous Areas for Bathing
Step 1. Respect all the signs and prohibitions that are placed on the beach
The only thing you can do to avoid a "close encounter" with a shark is simply to pay attention to any safety information on the beach. Follow the signs on the signs and obey the instructions of the authorities such as lifeguards, policemen on patrol on the beach and, if you are in a nature reserve, park security officers. If certain activities such as diving, kayaking, surfing are prohibited, do not do them. These rules are meant for your safety.
Sometimes the authorities may decide that the simplest way to ensure the safety of bathers is to completely prevent access to water. While it's disappointing to go to the beach and find it's closed, don't break these rules. Their goal is not to ruin your day, but to save your life
Step 2. Do not swim at sunset, sunrise or night
Most sharks hunt at these times and, by nature, are more active and aggressive when it comes to foraging. Stay out of the water at these times of the day and you will not encounter a hungry shark looking for food.
Also, in the dark, you are at a great disadvantage. Since your ability to see is almost zero, you will not be able to realize that you are crossing the shark. On the other hand, however, the senses of the animal are particularly alert compared to the human ones and the shark orients itself perfectly in the dark
Step 3. Don't swim in muddy, muddy waters
Just like at dawn, dusk and at night, your visibility is poor and makes you even more vulnerable to attack, even dark waters limit your ability to see. As previously described, sharks have very refined senses (besides sight) that are able to lead them to prey even when it is impossible to see. Since humans don't have the same sensitivity, the risks of being taken by surprise in dark waters increase. Make sure you can see the danger by swimming only in clear, non-turbulent waters.
Step 4. Avoid areas rich in shark food
The presence of these animals is obviously greater in the areas where their prey are found. To minimize the chance of meeting them, avoid these places. Areas where professional fishing is practiced are particularly dangerous, as fishermen often use pieces of fish as bait, which can inadvertently attract sharks as well. In general, flocks of seabirds that dive are good indicators of the presence of food in the water.
- You should also avoid areas where nutrients are dumped into the water, where rivers flow or where waste is thrown into the sea (for example, where sewage drains go directly into the sea). This precaution is not only wise from a hygienic and health point of view, but also for safety, since the chances of encountering a shark in search of food at this point are greater.
- If you are fishing, do not throw dead fish or pieces of fish overboard. These are easy snacks for sharks that are capable of detecting blood even at very low concentrations down to one part per million.
Step 5. Stay close to the shore
Sharks large enough to be a danger to humans usually live in deep water away from the coast. If you stay in relatively shallow water and away from steep, steep bottoms, then you decrease the chances of encountering a shark. Also, if you encounter one, you have a better chance of returning to shore safe and sound.
- It is advisable not to swim even close to sandbanks, as sharks often cross the narrow channels generated by them.
- Obviously, it is quite difficult to stay in shallow water if you practice activities such as surfing or kayaking. In that case, take all the precautions described in this guide.
Method 2 of 3: Swim Safely
Step 1. Never go into the water alone
When hunting, sharks are more likely to attack isolated, lonely prey rather than large groups. While it is unlikely that one of these animals will attack a human, swimming in a group increases the odds in your favor. Do not stray from other people while swimming, always stay a few strokes away.
This general rule is not only useful for deterring sharks from attacking; it is also a very important rule for safety in general. Any swimmer, no matter how strong and skilled they are, could drown if they encounter unexpected currents or sea conditions. Swimming in a group (or at least in the presence of a person on the beach monitoring who is in the water) can save lives
Step 2. Avoid looking like a shark's palatable prey drive
As mentioned earlier, sharks do not hunt humans for food and prefer local fish and underwater life. However, in rare cases, these animals mistake a swimmer for their natural prey such as a fish, seal, or sea lion. Thankfully, if you pay attention to what you're wearing, you can avoid this confusion. Here are some tips:
- Sharks appear to be more attracted to some colors than others. The bright and lively ones attract tropical species, especially the yellow looks particularly irresistible. For these reasons, it is believed that wearing dark colors, which do not contrast excessively with the surrounding waters, can prevent shark attacks. This also applies to the fins.
- Don't wear shiny accessories. Before entering the water, remove the jewels, the watch, the chains and everything that is metallic, shiny, luminous and that creates reflections. It is believed that the flares can attract sharks because they are mistaken for fish scales.
- If possible, avoid surfboards. Sharks are thought to confuse their profile with that of large fish or seals.
Step 3. Keep your body fluids away from sharks
These animals have a keen sense of smell (although not as much as movies and TV shows want you to believe). Some specimens have such a fine nose that they can perceive a single drop of certain substances even in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. For this reason, do not swim in the open sea when you "release" body fluids that the animal could perceive. Eg:
- Get out of the water if you have an open wound, especially if it bleeds. Menstruating women should be very careful.
- Do not urinate, defecate or throw up in the ocean. Do not enter the water where you had to (for example, if you suffer from seasickness).
Step 4. Do not create too many splashes and do not slap the surface of the water
When they hunt, sharks look for weaker or injured prey; the easier they are to capture, the better. In the eyes of a shark, a human being who moves excessively creating lots of splashes resembles a wounded prey. For this reason, especially if you are in deep water, avoid frequent, very lively movements that create splashes on the surface. If you are diving, try not to move violently or suddenly, even if just for fun; all of which makes you look like an animal in distress.
Method 3 of 3: Protect yourself in case of sighting
Step 1. Stay calm
Remember that shark attacks on humans are rare; for this reason, the mere fact of having spotted one does not mean that you are its target. You have probably come across an animal that is looking for food - and sharks do not feed on humans - or that is simply moving from one point to another. Do not react frantic or neurotic to the sight of the shark unless absolutely necessary. As already described above, the large movements with many splashes of water attract attention and make you look like a wounded animal.
- On the contrary, try to remain calm and focus on your immediate goal: to get out of the water quickly, in a silent and fluid way. Resist the natural instinct to escape madly, as long as the animal is not chasing you.
- If you are fishing on a small boat when you see the shark, let go of any fish you have on your hook and leave.
- If you are diving in deep water, quickly surfacing could be dangerous, so you should only rely on this solution as a last resort. Instead, try to drop the bait and fish you caught and move sideways to the shark. Once you are out of the way resurface at a reasonable speed.
Step 2. Look for any warning signs that may indicate a possible assault
As you get out of the water, don't lose sight of the shark, if possible. Read her body language; aggressive animals have a remarkably different behavior from docile ones. If you notice any of these signs, get out of there as quickly as you can and also be prepared to defend yourself if necessary. The movements that signal a probable attack by the shark are:
- Quick and sudden changes of direction while swimming
- Back arched or "arched";
- It moves in ever tighter circles;
- Load the prey;
- Lower the dorsal fin (the one on the back);
- Rub your belly on the bottom;
- Show other sudden and irregular movements.
Step 3. If you fear a possible attack, take a defensive stance
In the very unlikely event that a shark attacks you, your chances of getting out of it are greater if you don't get caught off guard. If you notice the signs of aggression that have been listed above, do not lose sight of the animal and make an effort to get out of the water with constant and fluid movements. If you have something to defend yourself with, keep it handy. If possible, lean your back on the coral reef, a wall of the seabed or another element that limits the angle of attack of the shark. More importantly: be prepared to fight back.
If you are close to other people, then it is vital to call them for several reasons. Not only will you make them aware of the danger and give them a chance to get safe, but they may also help you. Statistically, very few cases are reported in which rescuers were themselves attacked by the shark. It is thought that when a shark encounters a second person in the water, it gets scared enough to escape
Step 4. If you are attacked, fight
Pretending to be dead with a shark bent on attacking is not a wise and effective choice. This tells the animal that you are defeated and therefore encourages it to bite. On the other hand, if you show yourself strong and dangerous, the shark may go off in search of simpler prey. Remember: sharks are not used to catching animals that offer serious resistance or fight; most of them are much happier chasing after an easy-to-hunt fish than a human being ready to kick, poke, and stick weapons into its skin.
- Try to hit the animal's eyes and gills with whatever object you have available. These are the most vulnerable and pain sensitive areas. Hit and scratch them repeatedly until the shark is gone.
- Contrary to popular belief, the nose is not as good a target as the eyes and gills. It is less sensitive to pain and is located directly above the mouth, the last place you would like to put your hand.
- If you are diving, use every tool at your disposal, such as a diving knife or even the spare cylinder to hit the animal.
- Don't stop fighting. Your goal is to convince the animal that it's not worth attacking you. If you stop, you make the shark's job easier.
Step 5. Get out of the water and evaluate your condition
As soon as the attack ends, get out of the water and stay away, even if you think you have no injury. The adrenaline flowing violently in the body makes it impossible for you to rationally judge physical pain. Getting out of the water (and staying out of it) not only puts you out of the shark's reach, but also allows you to understand with a minimum of clarity what to do immediately after.
- See the emergency room immediately to have your wounds treated, even if they seem minor. This is particularly important if you are bleeding, as it is difficult for the body to stop the bleeding in the water. For this reason, you may have lost a large amount of blood.
- Do not go back into the water, even if you think the shark is gone and you have no injuries. The only reason why you should go back to sea (assuming you are unharmed) is to save other people; as mentioned earlier, some sharks flee rather than face a group of people and prefer to attack isolated individuals.
Step 6. Do not harass or harass the sharks
It shouldn't even have to be said. Virtually all animals that are taunted, harassed, or chased eventually defend themselves. Sharks are no exception, although their nature as deadly predators makes the consequences of this behavior more severe than with any other animal. If you see a shark, get out of the water and leave it alone. Do not Do never nothing to provoke it, even if you think you are safe, like in a boat. Accidents can always happen.
Advice
- Don't let the advice in this article scare you! The chances of being injured or killed by a shark are extremely low. If you follow these instructions as a method of prevention and to survive, the odds are even greater in your favor. The techniques you read in the tutorial apply to all shark species. Remember that the best way to get out of a shark attack alive is to avoid the situation altogether. Don't try to poke or tease the shark to impress girls and your friends (if you think teasing a shark to impress girls is a good idea, then you have problems this article can't solve). Enjoy your holidays in safety!
- Do not kill or cut an animal such as a fish and then throw the bloody parts into the water. Rather give the remains to the seagulls.
- Wear a dark-colored swimsuit or wetsuit. Don't use white!
