Shark attacks and buddy diving

[Vayu]

We all use the ocean recreationally and therefore may come into contact with sharks. My university does a study on statistics concerning attacks and I thought it would be of interest to anyone who wants to educate themselves on the subject.

The University of Florida's international shark attack file on diver statistics:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/isaf/diverstats.htm

I found this interesting, concerning the graph set "Others in the Vicinity of the Diver":

The graph above outlines the importance of diving with other people around. The majority of divers who were attacked did not have a partner when they were diving. It is always safer to dive with a partner, or with someone watching, than to dive alone!

Just food for thought.

-Vayu

 

[DivingCRNA]

Remember, too, that when diving with a buddy you do not have to swim faster than the shark. you just have to swim faster than your buddy!

We all use the ocean recreationally and therefore may come into contact with sharks. My university does a study on statistics concerning attacks and I thought it would be of interest to anyone who wants to educate themselves on the subject.

The University of Florida's international shark attack file on diver statistics:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/isaf/diverstats.htm

I found this interesting, concerning the graph set "Others in the Vicinity of the Diver":



Just food for thought.

-Vayu

 

[RJP]

Saw a bumper sticker or a tee shirt once:

Cut your shark attack risk by 50% - dive with a buddy!

 

[Cacia]

they did a very nice job interpreting the bar graphs...bringing up contributing factors.

 

[Meng_Tze]

when a menacing shark is in the area and you feel threatened..... draw knife, cut buddy and swim away slowly but deliberately. Instant buddies tend to be a good source for chumming...

 

[wardric]

this should be in the solo diving forum

 

[Barracuda2]

Just remember: anytime anybody enters the oceans, he/she becomes part of the food chain.

 

[Nemrod]

"It is always safer to dive with a partner, or with someone watching, than to dive alone!"

Yeah, based on what. I have taken many tests over the course of years in my studies and even got a teaching degree along with several others and a few courses in statistics also. One key giveaway on True/False or even a multiple choice test is the inclusion of words like "always" or similar absolutes. This is ALWAYS (pun) an indication that the statement is false. LOL, as is the statement above.

True/False Test:

1.__________ It is always safer to dive with a partner, or with someone watching, than to dive alone!

2. ___________ Some people believe that diving alone contributes to increased risk of shark attacks.

Statement (1) is false and statement (2) is true.

Here is another test:

3._____ A prepared diver in waters frequented by aggressive marine life would (a) carry a small pair of scissors and a blunt butter knife for back up (b) carry a 12 inch long razer sharp Sea Hawk knife with a heavy pummel (c) carry a bang stick with a .50 cal AE (d) always cut themselves with the scissors so the blood trail will confuse the aggresive marine life and scream loudly (e) both b and c

I am going with (e), if you chose any of the other answers, you get a big fat RED F. I am the teacher and teacher has the grade book and knows best--lol.

N

 

[Nemrod]

When I was 15 we had gone fishing out of Keton Beach Florida. We were on my parents 17 footer. I was curious as to what was down there below the tanic stained upper layer of water. My dad and mom decided to have a picnic lunch and that meant the fishing stopped for my siblings so I put my gear on and went over. My mom watched me real good, screaming and yelling for me to come up because a bull shark had come right up to the boat. I never heard a thing, never saw anything either, viz as I remember was a about 25 feet, depth about 30 and there was a ten foot layer of tanic water. It was a fun dive, found some urchins and starfish, one still sits on my mother's coffee table.

"It is always safer to dive with a partner, or with someone watching, than to dive alone! "

So, in this statement the "someone watching" is considered a helpful thing. My question is how so? Oh, well, you know what, I forgot, my dad blew the s-b in half with a twelve gauge pump, I did not hear that either.

N

 

[johnny_bravo]

Looks like the theory holds water...another attack on solo swimmer in Maui:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/12/shark.attack.ap/index.html

-J.-