Agreed - Oceanic Whitetips are not to be trusted either.
See USS Indianapolis for details.
Rick
What kind of shark would make you get out of the water?
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Rick
Stone
Contributor
This year we've had three bullshark encounters with fish on the stringer or pole. The first was an extremely aggressive five-footer (Sharks 1, Candy 0). The second was a good viz encounter so we kept the fish (tied 1 and 1). Last week, Candy gave up a flounder although the shark did not get "up close and personal" (low viz situation).
Sharks 2, Stone and Candy 1.
would end my dive. One or two cruising around is OK if the viz is good... but in low viz, or when they display aggressive behavior... it's "thumbs up" for me!
The points about bad vis are good, but what makes me feel the most vulnerable is when I'm smack in the middle of a giant bait school. I've been on hunts where I can't seem to get out of the bait. Not only would a shark not see you if he decides to rip through, but you could also wind-up injured from cudas, a school of bonita, or even king mackeral (they've got some nasty choppers).
Normally, bait will hang above the ledge or structure. Decending through it is a cool experience. I've seen bait so thick I thought I was hitting the bottom momentarily. Then, you break through the bottom of it and you see you've got another 15 ft or so. Anyway, when I'm in the middle of it, I do what I can to get out of it. Shooing them away like a naughty dog doesn't work so well.
Normally, bait will hang above the ledge or structure. Decending through it is a cool experience. I've seen bait so thick I thought I was hitting the bottom momentarily. Then, you break through the bottom of it and you see you've got another 15 ft or so. Anyway, when I'm in the middle of it, I do what I can to get out of it. Shooing them away like a naughty dog doesn't work so well.
tinman
Contributor
Hmmmmmm. Let me think... ANY WITH TEETH! Life's too short....Enough danger in the water already but that's just me. Sorry couldn't resist...Interesting thread.
Hmm, I would definitely WANT to end my dive if an oceanic whitetip showed up ( they are apparently referred to as "sailors nightmare" because they are in the habit of eating shipwreck victims (or so they say)). And also after reading this thread, if a bull shark happened to get a bit close. Problem is I would be more scared/ feal more vulnerable on the surface then under water. Any comments on that?
MNScuba
Guest
I have ZERO shark experience, but have watched and read enough about them to somewhat understand their behaviors... Sharks tend to attack from below, that is why you are more vulnerable at the surface, and that's why (in general) they are lighter colored on the bottom and darker on the top, for camouflage.
I would definately be the most scared just before exiting the water and not too sure I'd be able to maintain the recommended ascent rate under certain circumstances, let alone the 5 minute safety stop!
I would definately be the most scared just before exiting the water and not too sure I'd be able to maintain the recommended ascent rate under certain circumstances, let alone the 5 minute safety stop!
cyklon_300
Contributor
Diving at Cano Island, we'd backroll from the boat and as soon as the splash occurred, several bull sharks would come up from the bottom and swim figure 8s about 15' below us...they'd occassionally roll slightly to eyeball our fins. The panga driver kept assuring us that they were just 'friendly'...
I like sharks, and feel they usually do not pose much of a threat to divers, but this particular behavior was a bit unsettling.
After a couple of dives, I stopped waiting for my buddy at the surface and just dropped to the bottom asap. Seeing the bulls there I felt much more at ease with them.
At the surface, the thrashing sounds created at entry alerts the sharks that something may be injured or otherwise worth checking out. At depth, I think divers look less like prey and the noise from bubbles may deter the sharks from investigating closely.
The hammerheads I've encountered definitely avoided diver's bubbles.
I like sharks, and feel they usually do not pose much of a threat to divers, but this particular behavior was a bit unsettling.
After a couple of dives, I stopped waiting for my buddy at the surface and just dropped to the bottom asap. Seeing the bulls there I felt much more at ease with them.
At the surface, the thrashing sounds created at entry alerts the sharks that something may be injured or otherwise worth checking out. At depth, I think divers look less like prey and the noise from bubbles may deter the sharks from investigating closely.
The hammerheads I've encountered definitely avoided diver's bubbles.
hmm, sounds pretty scary to me Mr.cyclon
What would you do if you encountered something like, say, an oceanic white tip on a dive?
Only thing I can think of is maybe tuck into the reef, huddle up as a group (if there is a group) or something like that.
What would you do if you encountered something like, say, an oceanic white tip on a dive?
Only thing I can think of is maybe tuck into the reef, huddle up as a group (if there is a group) or something like that.
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