Fear of sharks

[Pearldiver07]

Most of my shark sitings in Coz were during my safety stops. Looking down, you can see a lot further around than when you're near the bottom. You'll sometimes see them cautiously avoiding the other divers that are down there.

I find them very interesting. The only time you should ever be on alert is if/when you're swimming with the prey of large sharks (think seals & sea lions). Even then, if you were bitten it would almost certainly be by mistake.

Large sharks aren't likely to ever even be seen in the warm shallow waters where we dive. Remember, big sharks need big food, which usually live in the open ocean.

And further, just apply one rule: Don't do anything to a shark you wouldn't do to a stray dog, and you'll avoid the similar results. Don't harass it, don't corner it, don't pull its tail (you'd think I wouldn't have to mention that one), etc. They're wild animals, and will try to avoid confrontation when possible.

Enjoy that dive!!!!

 

[Doubler]

More divers get injured/hurt/stung per year by things you never worry about before splashing in. Fire coral, NO touch sponge, Wasp jellies - you know little bitty things. My wife had this big fear of sharks, my cure - Socorro trip. After the first dive at the Silvertip cleaning station her fear was gone and replaced by awe at such a beautiful animal. Sharks actually have more to fear from us. Feel blessed if you see one in the wild. The way they are over fishing and finning them you may only see them in an aquarium soon. Get the movie Sharkwater, watch it. Enjoy your dives and HOPE you get a glance.

Jim

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

As others have already said, I'm sure you'll be just fine. Don't worry about it too much. It is natural to think about sharks with some fear or nervousness when you first start diving in the ocean, but after a few dives that feeling goes away. Seeing a shark is relatively rare, even here in Hawaii. Attacks by sharks against scuba divers is exceedingly rare.

Do I think about or sometimes get nervous about sharks when I dive here? Sure. Does it concern me greatly? No. Not unless visibility is low, in which case I just don't dive.

I've been in the water with sharks (I mean actually seen them that is!) only a few times. The most memorable was almost 30 years ago when a large tiger shark was "interested" in the speared fish I was pulling on a stringer... a few very tense moments, but after a few lazy close passes the tiger swam off. A really awesome, beautiful creature. The other time I remember well was night diving, seeing a reef shark swim past a few feet away.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[fisherdvm]

I only have fear of sharks during night dives. Day dives with good visibility - the fear goes away. I'd recommend diving in either Freeport or Nassau, and you'll be guaranteed to see at least a few large sharks up close and personal.

Shark junction or shark alley (orson welles wreck) in Freeport has guaranteed several large reef sharks each dives. The swim up to you, kind of wink their eye and wiggle their fins, as to ask you to "feed me, feed me".... It is a 45 ft dive, great visibility, and I've dove it about 4 times... each time the same 3 to 5 large reef sharks (4 to 7 ft) swim up to you. I've seen small reef sharks off cancun on several dives. In cozumel, we see nurse sharks on every other dives, usually sleeping under ledges. If you get to see a tiger or bull sharks on any dives (I've never seen one), be thankful.... even then, they are usually just curious and not going to mess with you.

I think depending on the season, folks go diving off playa del carmen in MX to look for the dangerous bull shark, and a liveaboard regularly go to a site in the grand bahamas to let you chum tiger sharks. Not my cup of tea....

 

[FireDiver443]

My biggest fear regarding sharks is none are going to show up in range of my camera.

In all seriousness, the folks that took me on my 1st shark dives taught me a healthy respect for them, to the point that I'm absolutely thrilled every time I get to see one. We had a 12-14ft hammerhead swim with us off West Palm on my daughters final check out dive... talk about setting the diving hook. No cameras but memories that will last a lifetime. Accidently found a couple dozen lemon sharks near Juno Ledge (WPB) last spring...amazing (although I was pretty sure at the time they were whispering to each other "DON'T LOOK, but we got one away from the rest of the school. Buffet will be open in a few minutes")!

They might just be some of the most beautiful creatures in nature I've ever had the privelege to behold.

 

[charlie123]

I went Coz in December . sorry to say didnt see any sharks they neat to see underwater.I hope you have a great time.I KNOW I DID.

 

[adurso]

I have found that my camera is the most effective shark repellent there is. They only show up when I do not have it with me.

Last Friday my 15 year old daughter was hanging out with the sharks in North Carolina on the U352 and the (maybe) Papoose

If I thought they were dangerous this would not be happening

My wife was originally nervous about sharks until she finally saw some in the Keys, then she was fascinated.

 

[Flightlead]

I'm considering a dive trip to Cozumel, but being from the midwest and diving only lakes and quarries in the past, my first thought of the ocean is sharks. I wanted to know if others had the same fear and forgot about it as soon as they hit the water or will I spend a week in fear looking over my shoulder.

here's another point of view.

have you ever been to the beach in Florida, NC, SC? Have you ever swum or paddled out past waist deep water there?

then you have been in close proximity to sharks.

I have flown up and down both Florida coasts at 100-500 feet many times and lots of SC/NC. I can tell you that on any given day there are many, many sharks around those beaches that are quite visible from the air. Quite often they are right in there around the swimmers and other beach visitors who are apparently quite oblivious to their existence. Let me tell you, some of them buggers are big! Some are even bigger!

just try not to look like food and you s/b ok .

 

[Meng_Tze]

I have seen those too from the sky and wondered why people do not see them or get away.....

My fear for sharks comes from watching Jaws when I was way to young for that. Then I was circled by a black tip around Tioman (Malaysia). He kept coming closer and closer. Fairly big one...........needless to say, I cut deco short and got out quickly.

Then 30 years after watching Jaws, I go on a shark diving trip off Guadelupe Island.........Great whites. I remembered Quinn: " The cage goes in the water, you go in the cage, the shark is in the water"......

My fear of sharks is probably baseless, but that is the nature of fear in itself..........

 

[Grish]

Your dive happen to be in NC or close by? Looks like one of our sand tigers and the experience sound very familure.

Nailed it. I was in Hatteras diving the Dixie Arrow, and that's a sand tiger. I'm going back in August, can't wait!