| It seems as each summer passes there is an | | | | uncommon and multiple or sustained bites are |
| increase in the number of shark attacks being | | | | normal for these types of attacks making |
| reported throughout the world. Some would | | | | these injuries usually quite severe, |
| believe this must mean there is an increase | | | | frequently resulting in death. Rather than |
| in the number of sharks attacking people in | | | | being a case of mistaken identity, these |
| the water. Figuratively speaking, an increase | | | | attacks most likely occur as a result of |
| in the population could result in an increase | | | | feeding or antagonistic behavior. |
| in attacks and more people to damage. | | | | |
| Realistically, it means our shark attack | | | | If you are a diver, here are a few tips to |
| reporting system has become more efficient. | | | | help you avoid shark attacks during your |
| | | | dive: |
| Your odds of being attacked by a shark in the | | | | |
| water are quite small. More people are | | | | - Swim in a group. Sharks are less likely to |
| injured and killed on land while driving to | | | | attack a group of divers and are more likely |
| and from the beach than by sharks in the | | | | to attack a lone diver. Keep in mind you |
| water. Shark attack injuries are also less | | | | should at the very least, have a dive buddy |
| common than injuries afflicted on the beach, | | | | with you during all dives. |
| such as spinal cord damage, jellyfish stings, | | | | |
| dehydration, and sunburn. More people require | | | | - Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. |
| sutures as a result of sea shell lacerations | | | | Sharks hunt at night. If you love night |
| on their feet than shark bites. | | | | diving, dive with a group and make sure you |
| | | | have a dive lamp. |
| You have a better chance of being hit by | | | | |
| lightning, dying from a bee sting or being | | | | - Do not go in the water if you are bleeding. |
| hit on the head by a falling coconut, than | | | | If you start to bleed while scuba diving, |
| you do of being attacked by a shark. | | | | attempt to stop the flow of blood as soon as |
| | | | possible. Sharks have an incredibly sensitive |
| Most shark attacks occur quite close to shore | | | | olfactory system and can smell and taste |
| in water 6-10 feet deep, on a sandbar or | | | | blood and other bodily fluids and trace the |
| between sandbars. These are areas sharks are | | | | scent back to its source. Menstrual blood may |
| known to feed in and they may get caught in | | | | also attract sharks, but there is no |
| low tide. Swimmers who are splashing and | | | | indication of increased attacks on |
| playing in these areas may be mistaken as | | | | menstruating women. Many women dive safely |
| prey. Underwater locations such as drop offs | | | | while menstruating and until controlled tests |
| and walls are also likely attack sites as | | | | involving non-menstruating and menstruating |
| natural food sources also congregate in these | | | | women occur there is no definitive or |
| areas. When a shark has attacked a diver, the | | | | scientifically proven data that states women |
| shark has most likely mistaken the diver as | | | | are at more risk of shark attack during |
| prey or has been unexpectedly startled by a | | | | menstruation. |
| diver. | | | | |
| | | | - Do not wear shiny jewelry. Shiny jewelry |
| There are two types of attacks that usually | | | | may look like small fish to a shark. |
| involve divers in deeper waters; "bump and | | | | |
| bite" attacks and "sneak" attacks. These | | | | - If you see a shark during a scuba dive, |
| types of attacks are less common than surface | | | | stay calm, stay quiet, and stay where you |
| attacks, but result in greater injuries and | | | | are. Most sharks are merely curious and will |
| the most fatalities. "Bump and bite" attacks | | | | leave on their own. If a shark begins to get |
| are characterized by the shark initially | | | | too interested in you and is moving closer |
| circling and often bumping the victim prior | | | | and closer, it is safest to leave the water. |
| to the actual attack. "Sneak" attacks are | | | | Swim quickly and smoothly, watching the shark |
| characterized by the strike occurring without | | | | the entire time and keeping your dive buddy |
| warning. Repeat attempts to bite are not | | | | within an arm's reach. |