sharks

[xsports]

so as you can tell im a new diver....I have this thing with sharks..to be straight with all of you im scard as hell of them....Anyways i dont want this to become an issue down the road so i was just wondering if im freaking out for nothing or is this somthing i will be able to get over after time.I do not want this to get in the way of what i really love (diving)?:shakehead

 

[onfloat]

They're just fish with sharp teeth. Not some malicious man eating creature. Most of them don't like to be close to divers, others are oblivious and would just rather be left alone. And when you do get to see one one the wild, it's actually really awesome.

 

[almitywife]

dont hear of many shark attacks in Colorado

i always figured im diving with a lot more than i ever see - they leave me alone and visa vera

at Kurnell there are bull sharks and ive only seen 1 in nearly 10 years, that was enough

if youre really freaked out - you can consider a shark-shield but then all the fishies will stay away from you

 

[terrasmak]

You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning the bit by a shark. Most are just as scared of you as you are with them.

 

[surfacemarker]

I've been diving with quite a few sharks and most of them couldn't get away quick enough. Others are simply curious, check you out and find you pretty boring and leave.
By the way I used to be quite scared of fish (any big fish really). Now 500 dives later I can't get enough...

 

[TeddyDiver]

Actually there are other more agressive species than sharks you should worry about, and if you don't disturb them deliberatly no worries. Consider beeing lucky to see some.

 

[Scotty g]

As the above states, try not to get too hung up about it. There are much more dangerous scenarios in your everyday life than having an incident with a Shark.

Happy diving!

Scotty

 

[SoggyShoes]

Be aware, stay calm keep your wits, and enjoy the opportunity if you see a shark. A much bigger risk than a shark is a bad buddy. If you want more information and stats on shark attacks here you go: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/2003attacksummary.htm Notice that world wide there were only 100 shark attacks total and only 3 shark attacks on both divers and snorkelers in 2003. This includes both provoked and unprovoked attacks. For more comparisons see this page: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm

The only thing that has ever “attacked” me was when I got stung by a jellyfish (not fun). You are much more likely to hurt yourself on the boat or entering and exiting the water on a shore dive. A buddy of mine broke two fingers getting them pinched between the ladder and the boat and I lost a toenail on a boat when someone took of their weight-belt and let the weights slide right off the belt onto my foot.

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board.
Don't worry at all about sharks. In general, even seeing one is pretty rare, you make too much noise and don't show up on their preprogrammed list of things to eat. The 2 exceptions I am aware of are nurse sharks and NC sandtigers.
Nurse sharks are common in warm waters like Fla. Unlike most, sharks they are not afraid of divers so seeing them is common but they are also very docile. They are found sleeping under rocks and ledges during the day. It takes a LOT of active provoking to get one to bite you. Don't mess with it and it will ignore you. Don't look into ledges and overhangs and you most likely will never see one.
The NC sandtigers are totally different than any other shark I know of, they seem to like divers..not to eat them but as buddies. While all other sharks avoid divers our sandtigers often pair up with divers or come close to look us over, nothing aggressive, just curious. It is way cool and we have divers come from all over the world to see them. We don't feed them and this is a natural behavior. While very close encounters are common I am unaware of any aggressive behavior being shown and we have lots of divers in the water with them each year.
Bottom line, unless you are at a shark feeding or come to NC, it's unlikely you will ever see on and if you do it will be a shadow in the distance. Most divers agree, seeing a shark is not something to fear but a rare and exciting experience.

I remember some one else ask a similar question a year or so ago. After seeing one for the first time they described changing from fear to excitement. You might want to look up that old thread and read it.

 

[wallacm]

Eh sharks. when ever i do see one which has only been 3 times in the past 6 years, they are very docile. Just dont mess with them and they will be fine.