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