Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney's Bronte Beach.
Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and "shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole." After taking two bites of the fiberglass board, the shark swam away and Letch surfed back to shore.
"It was only about 10 or 15 seconds that I was waiting for a wave but it seemed like an eternity," Letch said.
You'd think that this Jaws-style attack would have kept Letch on land, at least for the rest of the day, but the lifeguard said he came back 30 minutes later, replacement board in hand, ready to surf.
Afraid to Get Back in the Water?
Just how likely are you to come across your own "Jaws" while wading in the surf or snorkeling with some Angel Fish?
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 1,909 confirmed shark attacks have occurred around the world-between 1580 and 2003! Of these, 737 happened in the United States, and 38 people died as a result. Hardly alarming numbers, but the actual number of shark attacks isn't really known because many areas keep them under wraps so tourism isn't affected.
Unprovoked shark attacks, the kind where a shark in its natural habitat attacks a (live) human without any apparent reason, do seem to be on the rise, though, say the researchers behind ISAF.
In 2004, there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks recorded worldwide (seven were fatal), up from 57 in 2003. Overall, this number has been growing for the past 100 years, and more people were attacked in the 1990s than in any other decade (and so far it seems that the current decade will break last decade's record).
***** Your odds of being attacked by a shark? 1 in 11.5 million, says the International Shark Attack File. Being killed by a shark? 0 in 264.1 million. Your risk of drowning, for comparison? 1 in 2 million. *****
Keep in mind, though, that if you're involved in a shark attack that's deemed "provoked," that attack will not be included in the tally. What constitutes a provoked shark attack or an attack that's not "unprovoked"? Those that involve:
* Sharks and divers in public aquaria or research holding pens
* "Scavenge damage" to already dead humans (typically drowning victims)
* Attacks on boats
* Attacks in which a human initiates contact with a shark (such as a diver grabbing a shark)
Why are shark attacks on the rise? It's less complicated than you may think ? Say the researchers at ISAF, it's because humans are spending more time in the water.
Where Are Shark Attacks Most Common?
Though images of Great Whites gliding through Australia's Great Barrier Reef may come to mind, most shark attacks happen in North American waters. Within the United States, shark attacks happen most often in Florida and then in:
* California
* Texas
* Hawaii
* North Carolina
* Alabama, Oregon and South Carolina (tied)
Worldwide, after North American waters, the most shark attacks occur in:
* Australia
* Brazil
* South Africa
* Reunion Island (in the Indian Ocean)
* The Bahamas, Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, New Zealand and Venezuela (tied)
***** In the United States, you're more likely to be killed by a deer (through auto accidents), dog, snake or mountain lion than you are by a shark. *****
How to Prevent Shark Attacks
First and foremost, if you want to be sure a shark won't attack you ? don't go in the ocean. Next on the list is, don't go in the water if you see a shark, and then don't go in if you're bleeding-sharks can detect even minute amounts of blood from very far away (this applies even to menstruating women). The Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department offers these other shark safety tips:
* Swim in groups-sharks are most likely to attack a person who's alone.
* Don't swim too far from shore (you're farther away from help and more isolated).
* Don't go in the water at night or during twilight hours when sharks are most active.
* Leave shiny jewelry at home-a shark could mistake it for shiny fish scales.
* Don't swim in areas used by commercial or sport fisherman where bait is used often (if there are diving seabirds around, it's likely this is the case).
* Don't swim if you have an uneven tan-sharks don't like tan lines! (seriously, the contrast could attract them).
* The same goes for bright colored clothing-sharks may be attracted to it.
* Don't splash excessively or swim with pets (who may thrash around and attract a shark).
* Be careful around steep drop-offs or when between sandbars (these are two areas sharks love).
What to do if a Shark Attacks
In the unlikely event that a shark does attack ? swim ? and fast. Seriously, if you see a shark the best thing to do is stay calm and swim quickly, but smoothly, back to the shore or surface.
If the shark actually attacks, you should first try to hit it on the tip of its nose (use whatever you have with you-a spear or camera if you're diving, a surfboard as Letch did, or your own fist). The shark should go away long enough for you to calmly, but quickly, swim away (Discomforting side note: If you can't get away, and the shark comes back, hitting it on the nose will become less and less effective).
If the shark bites and you're stuck in its mouth, be as aggressive as you can. Go for the sensitive areas of the eyes and gill openings and hit the shark, hard. Don't "play dead," as this won't help. As soon as the shark releases, get out of the water as quickly as you can (don't hang around because once there's blood in the water, the shark will likely come back to attack again).
Chances are very, very small of being attacked by a shark, though, so don't let Hollywood's version of a man-eating Jaws (or the disturbing images of the film "Open Water") keep you from enjoying the surf.
If it makes you feel any better, there are plenty of other things to worry about while you're at the beach that are more likely to happen than a shark attack ? things like dehydration, jellyfish and stingray stings, cutting your foot on a seashell, sunburn, and sand getting wedged in private places, just to name a few.
------------
Sources
Seattle Post-Intelligencer April 19, 2005
International Shark Attack File
Sharks!
From the free sixwise.com e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read newsletter with original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete wellness.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareHOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
Nightlife in Big Sky, Montana is more exciting than you... Read More
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary... Read More
A saddle is a static object, but your horse is... Read More
Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking... Read More
The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a... Read More
"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
We think that Cape Town has some of the best... Read More
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND... Read More
Of course you know about Southern California's premier attraction, Disneyland... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More
Outdoors |