How long would you wait?

[NaCl H2O]

Went out to the second reef off of Anglin's pier (south FL) for my usual 1 tank dive.
While setting up my gear I looked in the water and saw a fin coming toward my boat.
It was a 6' hammerhead and passed less than five feet from the stern, then disappeared.

Honestly, I considered calling the dive, I'm not scared of sharks per se, but do respect them.
Watched the water for 15-20 and then decided to get in, I looked behind me a lot!

I know for a fact the buddy I sometimes dive with would not have gone in.
For me, that shark, or some other sea monster has always been there, I just don't always see them.

This isn't a solo specific question but I posted here because that was the situation.
Would you have jumped in right away to swim with it, wait a while or call the dive?

 

[Tracerbullet]

Wait a while or call the dive. Certainly not swim with it

 

[Searcaigh]

I'd make sure I had a wide angle lens fitted and just stay below the boat

 

[Belzelbub]

Would you have jumped in right away to swim with it, wait a while or call the dive?

I might have jumped in right away assuming it was not actively feeding at the time. But, I have a Shark Shield.

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

Sharks .... nope nope nope. I would rather jump in with Orca, well maybe not Spanish or Portugese Orca. Here, off Vancouver Island, my bucket list has coming face to face with an Orca underwater on it.

 

[Akimbo]

I'd make sure I had a wide angle lens fitted and just stay below the boat

That has been my experience. Large photogenic animals only come around when you have a macro lens on your camera.

 

[Ana]

I was at depth once when suddenly a hammerhead came by. It was a rare occasion when I was diving with my husband but we were very far apart, like we usually are.

The shark wasn't swimming in my direction or my husband's direction .. literally swimming thru between the 2 of us. It was a majestic sight. There were about 10-12 fish behind him big jacks and smaller something else... Looked like a king with his entourage following behind.
I was so attracted to him i didn't want him to leave...i literally followed him, it was hypnotizing. Funny thing after following him for about a minute i saw something shinning to one side and i went to check it out... Tah dah a brand new titanium knife.
To this day my husband makes fun of the knife a hammerhead gave me.

Like others have said above, unless there's a feeding frenzy going on... I will get in the water to see him/her up close because it is a privilege to be able to be close to a hammerhead.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

As long as it took me to get a mask and fins on and grab my camera. It might be gone before I got my scuba rig on! Before I was certified my late wife and I took a trip to the keys. Went on a glass bottom boat snorkel tour. 20 people in the water when someone yelled shark. Half bee lined for the boat. The rest of us tried to follow the 8 ft bull shark that swam through the group to get a photo of it.

 

[FF / EMT]

As long as it took me to get a mask and fins on and grab my camera. It might be gone before I got my scuba rig on! Before I was certified my late wife and I took a trip to the keys. Went on a glass bottom boat snorkel tour. 20 people in the water when someone yelled shark. Half bee lined for the boat. The rest of us tried to follow the 8 ft bull shark that swam through the group to get a photo of it.

Lol

 

[Ulfhedinn]

If I had my gear on I would have made a leap into the drink.