| With the recent shark bite in the shallows of the Gulf | | | | But the reality is that it is unlikely that you will ever |
| of Mexico off Sanibel Island comes the usual media | | | | sight a shark on Sanibel much less be approached by |
| blitz about the dangers lurking in the waters. | | | | one. And if you are approached, stay cool. Erratic |
| But let's put this recent nip in perspective. | | | | movements will just make the shark curious as to |
| In the period between 1882 and 2007, there were a | | | | whether you are edible. So be calm in your |
| documented 5 unprovoked shark attacks in the | | | | movements. |
| WHOLE of Lee County (the county where Sanibel | | | | All that said, the risk of a shark bite is infinitely |
| Island is located). And regarding attacks leading to | | | | smaller than other "dangers" on this beautiful, tropical |
| mortal wounds, according to a study by the Centers | | | | island. And these can be easily avoided. |
| for Disease Control, 4,406 people drowned in | | | | Sunburn, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke are much |
| America during 1998. That's about 550 times as many | | | | more prevalent than are sharks. So, wear |
| deaths as caused by sharks in an average year. | | | | sunscreens, hats, foot protection, sunglasses and |
| OK, sharks exist, and once in a great while, one | | | | extra clothing. Rent an umbrella or sit in the shade as |
| takes a human sample (and more often than not the | | | | much as possible. Drink plenty of water. Any time |
| shark is just looking to see what species the human | | | | you visit the beach, bag up and bring all these items |
| is before attacking: thankfully most of them are none | | | | and a first-aid kit down to the beach with you. A day |
| too keen on the way we taste). | | | | at the beach - or an entire family vacation - can be |
| Five bites in all of Lee County in 125 years is hardly | | | | easily ruined for each and all by bad sunburns, |
| worth panicking over. But if you are the panicking | | | | headaches, sunlight sensitivities, heat exhaustion or |
| type, here are some suggestions for making your | | | | worse. |
| Gulf visits as safe as possible: | | | | Equally prevalent is the lightning storm that can |
| 1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack | | | | generally be spotted well in advance. Florida is the |
| lone individuals. | | | | lightning capital of the USA, but not the world, the |
| 2. Don't wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates | | | | international title held by Africa. Lightning storms ares |
| you and places you away from assistance. | | | | a serious risk for those at the beach. When you see |
| 3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. Many | | | | the skies darkening, leave the beach and head home. |
| sharks are most active at these times and are better | | | | Why take the risk to see if it will blow by as it often |
| able to find you than you are to see them. | | | | does? |
| 4. Don't enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell | | | | The joys of a Sanibel Island vacation outnumber |
| and taste blood, and trace it back to its source. | | | | 1000 to 1 the dangers. And the dangers are largely |
| 5. Don't wear shiny jewelry which does attract | | | | preventable. So shouldn't you be thinking of making |
| sharks. | | | | plans to visit paradise now? |