Scuba, sharks, and “bumping”

[Spencermm]

Okay this may seem naïve- if it does its because I am. I’ve not yet been in salt with scuba, and I have certainly never knowingly been in the water with sharks.
Also, I am of the Jaws era(the first one) and it remains one of only 2 or 3 movies that had any frightening effect on me. (Yes, I realize the absurdity of the film, but it still left me with an anxiety about sharks.)
Now, to the point- I have read much about divers diving with sharks. I have read that for the most part they are not that big of a problem. I’ve read where occasionally they will circle out of curiosity. I’ve read where occasionally they will get close and even “bump” a diver to satisfy further curiosity.
I can see myself being okay with being within eyesight of sharks, and even being okay with being circled. However, I think I would find this bumping to be most unnerving. Have you experienced bumping? What did you do, if anything?

 

[Guba]

The only time I was bumped, it wasn't by a shark but something far more benign...a bar jack. Not that it wasn't un-nerving, though. That's a pretty good sized fish, and this one whacked me pretty hard (on my side). I don't know if it was being territorial or what...it did seem to have the area around the mooring buckle pretty much staked out.

I simply kept my eye on it to make sure we didn't get that close again.

 

[Thalassamania]

-Link-

 

[crosing]

I got bit by a largemouth bass protecting her nest, it that counts....

 

[Spencermm]

Oh Hell No!!

 

[northen diver]

Okay this may seem naïve- if it does its because I am. I’ve not yet been in salt with scuba, and I have certainly never knowingly been in the water with sharks.
Also, I am of the Jaws era(the first one) and it remains one of only 2 or 3 movies that had any frightening effect on me. (Yes, I realize the absurdity of the film, but it still left me with an anxiety about sharks.)
Now, to the point- I have read much about divers diving with sharks. I have read that for the most part they are not that big of a problem. I’ve read where occasionally they will circle out of curiosity. I’ve read where occasionally they will get close and even “bump” a diver to satisfy further curiosity.
I can see myself being okay with being within eyesight of sharks, and even being okay with being circled. However, I think I would find this bumping to be most unnerving. Have you experienced bumping? What did you do, if anything?

My wife was attacked by a bunch of trout because I put a hotdog in her hair on a dive once. I feared the reprucussions from my wife more than the hungery trout.


Clicky here Bud's Bangsticks & Powerheads protect against sharks & all marine predators

 

[Damselfish]

Well, my husband bumped a shark, if that counts. On a blue water dive off the Kona Coast, so not your typical reef dive. Thing was heading straight for him (twice) and he bopped it on the nose with his camera rig. Other than than, our shark sightings tend to be at a distance, they don't usually seem that interested in circling let alone getting up close and personal. I'd be more concerned about a crazed triggerfish.

 

[rawls]

I have been bumped several times by sand tigers and they always say "excuse me."

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Pretty cool story Thal, did your comrade get to see any of the dance?

Once you get to the big island, hopefully you will not be dissapointed by the fact that even our meanest tiger sharks will not likely ever show themselves to you underwater without baiting them in.

 

[Leejnd]

My wife was attacked by a bunch of trout because I put a hotdog in her hair on a dive once. I feared the reprucussions from my wife more than the hungery trout.

Are you still married?

I've been in the water with sharks a number of times - white-tip, black-tip, lemon, hammerhead, leopard, nurse, etc. Sharks don't see very well, so they often will swim up to you, then once you come into focus, veer off. I've never actually come into contact with one - they seem to recognize that I am not a food source before they get close enough to touch.

What I HAVE been bumped by are our local sea lions! They love to rush up and grab your snorkel with their teeth and yank your mask off. Now THAT can be unnerving. That's one reason why I no longer wear a snorkel when diving.