Shark etiquette

DivingDoc · Aug 16, 2002

Here is a question and poll for those of you who encounter sharks regularly.

Are you afraid of them?? Many tell me that sharks just ignore SCUBA divers, but Shark Week on the Discovery channel went over several instances where SCUBA divers were actually attacked by divers.

Anyway -- answer the polls.

ET

WreckWriter · Aug 16, 2002

You forgot "go about your business but be aware there's a shark(s) around.

Tom

EDIT- no fair changing the poll question after answers have been posted. Makes me look like an idiot in this case, huh?

For the NEW question, if it's coming you have to fight, at least try. Kick it, whack it with something, shove a deco bottle in it's face, etc.

For those wearing rec rigs that can quickly be removed, hold your unit in front of you as a shield. Sharks hate the taste of tanks

Tom

Rick L · Aug 16, 2002

Pee my wet suit for the very first time:waaaa:

Rick L

Scubaroo · Aug 16, 2002

erm... panic?

Around here the only sharks we're likely to encounter are Blues or Great Whites. Or pussycat Leopard sharks.

devilfish · Aug 16, 2002

It's humorous but I hope new divers don't take it too seriously. Neither shark behavior nor the choices of action when a shark is sighted are accurate and don't apply in real world. Peeing in the suit might help.

Dee · Aug 16, 2002

DivingDoc once bubbled...
....but Shark Week on the Discovery channel went over several instances where SCUBA divers were actually attacked by divers.

Anyway -- answer the polls.

ET

That probably happens more than shark attacks do!

Seriously, keep in mind The Discovery Channel needs an audience and one way they try to do get one is with sensationalized shows. If truth were known, the divers that got 'attacked' had probably ignored the sharks warning signals, antagonized the sharks in some way, or even placed themselves in harms way by seaching out the sharks and entising them.... a feeding frenzy comes to mind. Sharks don't usually just attack a diver for no reason. We aren't food to them.

If you are going to dive in an area frequented by sharks, learn their behaviors, feeding times and patterns, etc. and remember you are in their territory.

boydski · Aug 16, 2002

When diving in an area with a lot of sharks, carry a small briefcase with you. The sharks will leave you alone out of ."Professional courtesy" .

Boydski

CuriousMe · Aug 16, 2002

I'm by no means a shark expert....I've only seen sharks on two dives (not counting nurse sharks).....but doesn't swimming back to the boat as fast as possible make you look more like prey to the shark?

Don't know what I'd do....I'm guessing wing it....but I know I can't outswim a shark....so fleeing and looking like dinner would probably be my last answer.

Jack R · Aug 16, 2002

I have seen thousands of sharks all over the world including schooling hammerheads. I have never had any trouble but if I did have trouble, I would just take out my knife and cut my buddy!

I dont have to outswim the shark, I only have to outswim my buddy. ( I know that is an old joke!)

I told that to my wife's mother when she heard we were going to cocos island. She didnt laugh.

Anyway, I have never seen a great white which is about the only shark I am afraid of.

I have heard that a scream may frighten them away. It would be very very odd for a shark to attack a 6' neoprene and metal object. They mostly go for the sick or old.

landlocked · Aug 16, 2002

Drop the twinkie (or distressed fish) and get out of the way.

Shark etiquette

What would you do if a shark was aggressively racing toward you?

Bump it on the nose with your foot or camera.

Stay still, meditate and lower your heart rate.

Descend, back up to a coral and pretend like you're part of the scenery.

Hit it in the eyes or the gills.

Swim towards the shark to show it you're the boss.

Head for the boat as fast as your little legs can propel you.

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