Defending Yourself from a Shark Attack

Shark attacks are one of the most terrifying experiences that someone can have, and the idea of them keeps many people from swimming in the sea. In reality, shark attacks tend to be very rare, and even fewer of these are fatal, although knowing what to do if you are attacked can make a big difference to your survival chances.

There are actually only a few species of shark that would be considered large enough to view humans as prey. Even seemingly large sharks tend to feed on smaller species, and usually eating a defenseless fish is a lot easier than trying to subdue a struggling human. Panicking if you see a large shark in the water with you is the last thing that you should do, as this may make the shark think that you are in distress, or are injured, making you an easier target.

Most sharks tend to rely on the fact that most of their prey doesn't see them coming, and they try to inflict a single fatal bite before swimming away and waiting for their prey to bleed to death. If you can see the shark approaching to attack you, then trying to avoid the worst of their bite is a good way to deter than and to prevent more serious injury. However most of the time this can tend to be difficult to do, meaning more violent tactics are needed.

When a shark bites you, the two main vulnerable areas that will be closest to you are its eyes and gills. Sharks like all marine species become distressed if their gills are injured or obstructed, and so if you can rip or cut their gills they will often retreat. Also if you can poke them in the eyes, perhaps hard enough to cause permanent damage to them, then they will often similarly give up on eating you.

If you are snorkeling or diving and an inquisitive shark is getting too close for comfort, then punching it on the nose firmly is said to send them away. This shows them that you are a potentially hostile species, that can defend itself, and that you are ready to attack if it gets too close. Many of these encounters don't tend to lead to an actual attack, although a shark may nip at any exposed shiny items in the water, and will also target exposed fingers.

Many shark attacks around coastal areas come in the form of surfers who are attacked while on their boards, the reason being that sharks often mistake surf boards for large fish species. To an observer under the water a board may appear to be a tuna, dolphin or even seal moving through the waves, and as a result many sharks attack. If a shark has attacked your surf board then leaving the board and getting to shore as quickly as you can is paramount.

Often if a shark bites a board it will realize that it is not a prey item, and will tend to leave the area shortly after. However if you happen to fall into the water when your board is bitten then a shark may well take a second bite out of you. Fortunately most of these attacks aren't fatal, although there are several surfers who are seriously injured each year. Because of the nature of these attack, there is usually very little time to think about fighting back before the attack its over.

Often the best advice for defending against shark attacks is simply to back away out of the area that the shark is in. Many times shark attacks are simply an overly inquisitive shark that might be trying to hunt smaller fish when it nips at you. Many people tend to take these nips as a sign of attack, although in reality the shark is often warning you to leave. Most of the time if you leave promptly the shark will desist its attack, and will leave you alone.

One tactic employed by certain species of sea turtles is that they will intentionally lead a shark into shallow water so that it cannot move quickly or maneuver. The turtles then descend on the shark, and all attack it with their sharp beaks, which are capable of inflicting a serious bite and can cut through bone. Although you might not have an army of turtles at your beck and call, swimming into shallower waters is always a good idea if a shark tries to attack you. If you can get into water only a few feet deep, then most sizeable sharks will either back away, or will ground themselves and be unable to swim away.

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