Eeeek! Shark, now what do I do?

[Scubasteve1982]

Great Thread! Just did my first shark dive in the Bahamas on 6-9...My birthday! Sharks are my favorite animals and from what I've learned I'd say your best defense is to stay calm. They can sense panic. From what I've heard they can sense your heart beating. Stay down if possible and let the shark pass. I wouldn't try to get away from the area fast because there is no chance of out swimming any shark. I've never had an encounter with a aggressive shark but I'd say hold your ground. Keep you eyes on the shark and enjoy the view! They are truly magnificent animals

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Interesting thread. Don't know about shark attack versus car accident. I've attended a fair few car accidents as a paramedic but never a shark attack. Depends on your position... reminds me of the old saying
"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather not screaming in fear like the passengers in his car!" I guess it depends on how quick it is!

I have to tell this story. I attended a presentation by a Marine Biologist whose name I have forgotten. He told this story which he swore was true:.

He had been trying for years to get a picture of the fish that lives in the aspirating anus of the sea cucumber. He was under a kelp covered ledge trying to get a shot when he felt his dive buddy tugging on his fin. He was sure he was about to get THE SHOT so he ignored his buddy and she stopped. Once he got the pictures he came out to see what his buddy was going on about. He looked around... no buddy! He decided to surface to figure out what had happened. He started to kick and it felt strange so he checked his fin and found the fin blade missing from just ahead of the boot section!

He surfaced to find his buddy on the boat. Conversation revealed Yes his buddy saw the shark tugging on his fin. His buddy decided there was nothing she could do since he was pretty well under the ledge and they were quite a ways from her. She surfaced and they were discussing the best course of action when he arrived! He keeps that partial fin as a reminder....h34r:h34r:

 

[goldenbear01]

After reading some of the threads here on sharks, I have a question.... What do you do if you find yourself face to face with, lets say, a nice size bull shark?

I think that's when my wetsuit suddenly becomes a little warmer and wetter from the inside out.

 

[Oxy]

Dr. Bill
Did you have to mention SoCal & Great Whites in the same sentence?

 

[Oxy]

Hmmmm reminds me of an old joke....

What do you do if a bear attacks?

Bears frighten easily and attack when frightened
So if you wear little bells on your shoelaces you stand little or no chance of suddenly frightening a bear.
And just in case you still frighten a bear carry pepper spray.
But its best to know if a bear is around by looking for bear scat.
You do know what bear scat looks like don't you?
It has little bells in it and smells like pepper.