Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Defend yourself
• Method 2 of 3: Defend yourself against the shark
• Method 3 of 3: Escape and seek help
• Tips
• Warnings

Sharks rarely attack humans, but if they do, it is generally with serious or fatal consequences for the victim. Scientists think that sharks don't attack humans to eat them, but rather bite because they are curious and want to know what kind of animals we are - much like a dog uses its nose to make new buddies, only with a less favorable outcome. The best way to avoid being attacked by a shark is to avoid the shark habitat. In the unlikely event that you end up in shark water, make sure you have a survival strategy ready.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Defend yourself

1. Keep an eye on the shark. Sharks have various methods of attack. Sometimes they swim straight up to grab their prey, sometimes they circle around for a while before striking and sometimes they stalk you from behind for a surprise attack. To be able to defend yourself against a shark, you need to know where it is, so do everything you can to keep an eye on the shark, even while planning an escape.
2. Stay calm and don't make sudden movements. When you first spot the shark, chances are it will continue swimming without bothering you. You can't swim out a shark, so trying to swim to safety is probably not the best idea unless you are already close to the beach. It is important to keep your cool so that you can continuously assess the situation and decide the best way to get yourself to safety.
   • Move slowly towards the shore or a boat, whichever is the closest. Do not slap around with your arms or kick your legs while swimming.
   • Stay out of the way of the shark. If you find yourself between the shark and the open sea, pull over.
   • Do not turn your back to the shark while swimming. Remember it is important to keep an eye on the shark.
3. Take a defensive stance. If you can't get out of the water right away, try to reduce the possible angles from which a shark might attack. When in shallow water, keep your feet on the ground. Slowly stand with your back against a reef, pole, or outcrop of rock - any sturdy construction is fine - so the shark can't circle around you. This way you only have to repel attacks from the front.
   • If you are diving near the shore, you may have to dive to find shelter. Look for a reef or rock at the bottom of the sea.
   • While in open water, try to get back to back with another swimmer or diver so you can see in all directions and defend yourself.

Method 2 of 3: Defend yourself against the shark

1. Try to hit the shark in the face or gills. Keeping yourself dead doesn't deter an aggressive shark. You have the best chance by showing an attacking shark that you are strong and a threat to be aware of. Usually a hard blow to the gills, eyes or muzzle will be enough to cause the shark to retreat. These are the only vulnerable areas of a shark.
   • If you have a harpoon gun or stick, use it! Aim for the head and especially the eyes or gills.
   • If you don't have a weapon, improvise. Use any object in your environment that is suitable for repelling the shark, such as a camera or a rock.
   • If there is nothing in your environment, use your own body. Target the shark's eyes or gills with your fists, elbows, knees and feet.
2. Keep fighting if you're dealing with a stubborn shark. Try to hit the shark's sensitive areas again with hard, sharp stings. There is no point in lashing out before hitting because you don't develop extra power underwater. You can also claw the shark's eyes and gills. Keep doing this until the animal releases you and swims away.

Method 3 of 3: Escape and seek help

1. Get out of the water as soon as possible. Even if the shark has swum away, you are not really safe until you are out of the water. Sharks often return to finish their attack. Go ashore or get back into the boat as fast as you can.
   • When you see a boat nearby, calmly but loudly shout for help.Lie as still as possible while you wait - that is, if the shark isn't attacking you at the time - and climb into the boat as soon as possible once it gets to you.
   • If you are close to the shore, swim there quickly but without too much noise. Trampling again draws the shark's attention and spreads your blood, attracting even more sharks. Do a quiet reverse breaststroke, which causes less splashing than other swimming strokes.
2. Seek medical attention. If you have been bitten by the shark, you should get yourself treated as soon as possible. Massive blood loss can result depending on where you were bitten, so take immediate steps to stop the bleeding. Even if your injuries look minor at first glance, it's still important to get an examination as soon as possible. Stay calm until the medical help arrives, otherwise your blood will flow faster through your body.

Tips

• Be aware of your surroundings. Sharks usually hunt on the boundary of deep and shallow water or near sandbars. If you see a fish constantly jumping out of the water, it probably means there is a predator nearby, which could be a shark.
• Do not give up. As long as you keep fighting there is a good chance that the shark will eventually give up and start looking for easier prey.
• Do not wear sparkling jewelry or watches. That attracts sharks.
• Remember not to make sudden movements. This attracts sharks because they are able to perceive these movements from a great distance.
• Sharks tend to toss their prey back and forth so that they can rip off large chunks of meat. If the victim clings to the shark, he or she can greatly reduce the risk of major injuries, such as torn off limbs. Doing this will also prevent the part of your body that the shark has bitten into becoming even tighter, because sharks' teeth face inward to trap prey.
• Stay above water.
• Remember to keep breathing while fighting the shark. You need enough oxygen in your lungs to defend yourself effectively against an attack and make an attempt to escape.
• Keep calm and swim calmly to the shore or something nearby that you can climb on, then try to call for help.
• Try to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. That way you lose less energy and blood.

Warnings

• Never challenge a shark or put yourself in a situation where it is very likely that you will be attacked.