Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Sharks are formidable predators, but humans rarely make it onto their menu. In fact, many more people have died after being attacked by dogs, bees, snakes and many more. However, sharks can be very dangerous and anyone who enters their territory should treat this fish with respect. If you are going to visit the waters in which sharks live, then knowing how to fight off a shark will be very helpful, and best of all, how to reduce the risk of being attacked.

Steps

1. 1 Avoid getting close to shark-infested waters. The best way to avoid shark attacks is to avoid shark areas. In other words, do not be in the open ocean, in the mouths of rivers and other coastal rivers and lakes. The dangerous bull shark, in particular, can endure fresh water, and these great sharks have been known to swim up rivers. One fact: These sharks were sighted 4000 km (2500 miles) up the Amazon River. If you cannot avoid getting into the water, try to avoid areas that are dangerous to people.
   • Note. Coastal areas where sharks have recently been sighted are most often marked with signs or, often, local residents warn of danger. Do not go into the water if you have been warned about it.
   • Avoid cliffs or areas between shoals. These are the favorite hunting grounds for sharks.
   • Avoid places where sewage and sewerage fall. Sharks are attracted to such places.Of course, this is not the only reason to avoid contaminated water.
   • Avoid swimming in fish-infested areas. Sharks may swim to feed from fishermen's nets, or they may be attracted by bait and discarded fish. Even in the absence of fishing boats, if you see seagulls flying into the water, there is a high likelihood of fish activity and feeding.
2. 2 Know the types of sharks. There are more than 300 shark species, but only a few of them are dangerous to humans. In fact, three species - white, tiger, and bull shark - are the cause of most incidents. These shark species are widespread in coastal waters around the world, and if you see or know that they are nearby, leave the water immediately. The ocean long-winged shark most often lives in the open ocean and can also be aggressive. Find out what types of sharks can live in the waters you plan to visit, but be aware that any shark longer than 180 centimeters can be potentially dangerous.
3. 3 Keep a weapon with you. If you are diving in waters where sharks are likely to live, carry a gun or spear with you. But don't think that now you can provoke an attack or falsely hope for absolute protection from sharks, there is still a chance that this weapon will save your life.
4. 4 Dress properly. Try to choose a dark swimsuit as bright colors with high contrast can attract sharks. Do not wear jewelry, as the reflection of light from such jewelry is very similar to the reflection of fish scales in the light, and this can make you look like food. Cover your deep sea watch with the sleeve of your swimsuit. Try to cover parts of your body with different intensity of tanning, as this can also attract a shark. The bright yellows and oranges typical of lifejackets and flotation devices can also attract sharks, although if you are out in the open ocean these colors can also attract your lifeguards.
5. 5 Be carefull. While diving, surfing or just swimming, you may have all sorts of troubles, in the ocean or coastal rivers, always be on the alert. Be careful in any situation, and be attentive to the things that surround you. If you spot a shark, keep it in sight until you get to the shore or boat.
6. 6 Move calmly. Avoid splashing on the surface of the water and try to swim calmly in any situation. When the shark is around, avoid sudden and erratic movements, as this may draw their attention to you or, worse, you may appear injured. If you see a shark while diving, try to freeze and not move so as not to attract attention and do not seem like a threat to the shark.
7. 7 Swim in a group. When it comes to shark hazards, you shouldn't swim alone. If the shark is around, it is much better to be with someone. It is unlikely that sharks will attack a group of people, and if one of the group members is attacked, you can immediately help. When diving surrounded by sharks, one of the group members should be responsible for observing the sharks so that they can immediately report if there is a change in their behavior.
8. 8 Recognize aggressive behavior. Sharks swimming slowly and smoothly are usually not dangerous. They can swim up to divers, but mostly just out of curiosity. If the shark begins to make sudden movements, swim quickly or irregularly, shows signs of aggression and irritation - they direct the pectoral fins downward, rounding the back, directing the head forward, swimming in zig-zags - this can be considered an attack.
9. 9 Do not go into the water at night or during dusk or dawn. Sharks hunt actively at this time of day and are much more difficult to spot in the dark. Try not to swim in shark habitats during cloudy days, as the lighting is similar to dusk and dawn.
10. 10 Do not go into water when bleeding. If you have an open wound. Women need to be mindful of their menstrual cycle. The use of tampons is mandatory.
11. 11 Don't tease sharks. Slightly less than half of documented shark attacks have been the result of teasing or provocation of sharks, in particular by divers. Use common sense and give the shark its space. Do not try to catch or touch a shark. Do not drive them into a corner, and do not try to get close to take pictures. If you need to swim close, then keep a weapon with you. (see previous pictures)

Don't urinate in water.

Tips

• Do not keep pets in water. Their splashing and erratic movements, combined with their small size, can attract aggressive sharks.
• At a time when sharks have spread all over the world, most of the attacks are taking place in Florida. Other hotspots include Australia, Hawaii, South Africa, and California.
• If you decide to dive and fish at the same time (for example, with a spear), do not tie your catch to the body. Make sure you can quickly detach your catch if you see a shark. Release your catch at the sight of a shark and leave the area. The shark is more likely interested in your fish than you.
• Avoid swimming in dark and muddy waters, as the chances of you being mistaken for their usual catch increase (turtles, seals, etc.).
• Avoid swimming in the early morning or evening / night as this is the most active time for shark feeding and near shore.
• While diving, swim down. If you swim on the surface, you may be mistaken for a fish.
• If you see a shark, get out of the water and warn the others. If the shark is behaving aggressively, be prepared to defend yourself (kick the shark in the nose).
• When you see seals, chances are there are sharks there too. Avoid swimming or kayaking in seal habitats.
• Shark cages are quite effective, but at the same time, they reduce your mobility, and they are useless and inaccessible to most divers.
• At the moment, there is no tool that will surely scare off sharks, although an electronic and chemical device created in recent times can be very useful. Perhaps in the near future it will be available for sale.
• Do not wear loose clothing. It makes you look like a fish trying to get out.

Warnings

• Large and medium sized shark attacks are very dangerous and potentially deadly. Even smaller sharks (and some types of fish) can inflict very painful bites, do not provoke them, and will always be on the alert.
• The presence of guinea pigs and dolphins does not make the area safe. At the time, although these animals are known to be sharks' enemies, they feed on the same prey, and often live in the same region.
• Be very careful in muddy waters. When visibility is low, you may be caught without expecting it at all. And also in low visibility, the shark can mistake you for another animal. The most common shark attacks are "bite and swim" attacks, in which the shark bites once and swims away, often in troubled waters or on the coast. There is an opinion that the shark tastes and, when it realizes that the prey is a person, it swims away.