Had a way too close shark encounter in Florida

[Rick Inman]

Next time, bring along your scuba gear (and buddy). When it comes to sharks, stats show that being UNDER water is, by far, safer!
Nice story, thnks.

 

[Walter]

It's also not generally a good idea to swim away from sharks. Swimming towards them usually makes them scoot.

 

[Michael Schlink]

I must chime in here as I have interacted with nurse sharks for a number of years. First nurse sharks do not have the same mouth strucrure as a "typical" shark. The mouths are positioned so that they can "bottom feed" very similar to a southern stingray. Rather than big ugly sharp teeth they have "crushing plates". That's why Mempilot saw what they do to a lobster. Their main diet is crustaceans (crabs & lobsters) along with clams and such that they can dig up from the sand. The only time someone is going to get "bit" by a Nurse is if it's provoked and even then it's pretty rare.
As a general rule "observers" usually aren't allowed around divers spearfishing. It just isn't a spectator sport. Also as was mentioned spearfishing will attract "predator" fish. Not only sharks but trigger fish can be very aggressive. Keep in mind that just about everything in the ocean is VERY HUNGRY, all the time. The temptation of a free or easy meal will be too much for most marine animals.
How you react to different species will be dictated by the particular animal and the circumstances and environment at that particular time.-M

 

[StSomewhere]

I'd be more fearful of the guys with the spears!

That was my exact reaction.

 

[Scubaguy62]

I'd be more fearful of the guys with the spears!

Or the resident barracudas. They're a lot faster, and their teeth are alot sharper than the nurse shark's. Otherwise you did fine!! How big was the shark? I might have missed that from your original post.

 

[cknauss]

Hey Doug,
I'm going to Key West the first week in Dec. Can you give me any suggestions re: dive shops and sites? Also any info on your uncle's operation. Thanks. By the way, glad you're OK. Cathey in Southern California

 

[Buoyant1]

I'm heading down to the Keys on Monday... So far the only operator I've used is Captains Corner, They're great! I'm using them again this trip:

http://www.captainscorner.com/

My cousin has used Dive Key West, and had great luck with them:

http://www.divekeywest.com/

Also check Key West Diving Society, I've only been in their shop, but they were very nice, and would consider doing business with them in the future...

http://www.keywestdivingsociety.com/

The shop I've used down there is Divers Direct, There are few in the Keys If you're driving through the Keys, then there's one in Key Largo, and one in Key West.

Have fun!

 

[Kirk67]

I agree with what the others said. In my short dive life I have had the opportunity to experience sharks on my last four dives,Reef,Nurse and Bull sharks. It was great to see these animals in their environment and hope to see more the next time I go diving. BTW,all three types of sharks could have caredless about me. I just gave them respect and distance and I had no problems.
Kirk

 

[ScottZeagle]

Check out this story...

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/20/Pasco/Diver_has_a_chilling_.shtml

 

[Kirk67]

Check out this story...

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/20/Pasco/Diver_has_a_chilling_.shtml

Holy jaws of death batman!