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Blog | sharks-diving

2010-08-10T05:36:04Z

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Shark week

I love ‘Shark Week’ on the Discovery channel. It’s actually been running for 23 years, which just goes to show how fascinated we are with everything to do with sharks. The trouble is with the series is while they ‘support’ sharks and claim that Shark Week is also a powerful platform to raise awareness about the dangers sharks face from commercial fishing, which kills more than 100 million sharks worldwide each year, the programme uses sensationalist stories about shark attacks to publicise the TV show.

This year, Discovery is donating money to support conservation organization Oceana’s campaign to ban the practice of shark finning, where the fins of a shark are sliced off and the remainder of the animal is left to die in the water, which is a very worthwhile cause but they know what their viewers want to see and that’s shark attacks. Take a look at the publicity shots and video for this years series. Of course the movie Jaws did the damage, countless numbers of people were left traumatized by the film. Looking back the special effects were not that impressive but the music alone was terrifying enough.

So is it any wonder that film makers and documentary producers continue to play on our fear of sharks? They are after all the closest thing we have to monsters on our planet.

Avoiding and surviving a shark attack | sharks-diving

2010-08-10T05:35:45Z

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sharks

Avoiding and surviving a shark attack

If a shark approaches, stay calm as possible. Sharks are curious creatures and will often investigate you then leave without incident. If the shark becomes aggressive, possibly rushing at you, back hunched with it’s pectoral fins pointing downwards – exit the water as soon as you can. maintain eye contact at all times and ascend with your buddy partner back to back.

If an ascent isn’t possible, position yourself against the reef or structure that may be available, so the shark can only approach you from the front.

However an overwhelming majority of divers do not see the attacking shark before it strikes. It is dangerous and foolish to assume that just because you can’t see any sharks swimming close by that there are none in the area. In some cases an attacking shark will strike a diver only once, inflicting a devastating bite, leaving the victim to bleed and weaken. Only then will it come back to devour its prey.

Stealth and surprise are its greatest weapon as a shark may only have one opportunity to bite the diver. Because once a diver realizes he is bitten, survival mode kicks in and he will do anything possible to escape from the shark.

So if the worst happens and you are attacked, fight back as violently as you can. Fend it off using anything you may have, a camera, dive knife, torch, speargun or your hands if nothing else is available. The eyes and gill openings of a shark are very sensitive – poke or claw these areas and try to inflict damage. Once the shark has let go, exit the water as quickly as you can and be aware that with an aggressive shark a repeat attack is likely.

The science behind the sharkproof mask strap | sharks-diving

2010-08-10T05:35:27Z

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sharks

The science behind the sharkproof mask strap

It’s instinctive, the fear that ‘something’ is creeping up behind us. This primitive fear is ‘hard-wired’ into the human psyche. Thousands of years of evolution has programmed us into being wary of an attack from behind. Hollywood movies play on this fear, how many times have you wanted to shout ‘look out behind you’ as you watch a victim unaware of the killer behind them?
For divers this fear is more real, your mask gives you a limited field of vision and as you are out of your environment, you are vulnerable.
Even if you are a confident, experienced diver, your subconscious mind knows there is a risk. The fact is most predators attack from behind. This serves two purposes, the first is, not being seen means their prey is taken by surprise and is unlikely to escape. The second is to avoid the possibility of injury should their intended victim fight back.
Rolf Williams, a world renowned shark expert, advises that if you are investigated by a shark, you should maintain eye contact at all times: let the shark know you are fully aware it is there and you can’t be caught off guard.
Scientists and shark experts agree that sharks seem to be very aware of a diver’s eyes, simply being seen before contact is made may cause a shark to abort an attack.
The Sharkproof mask strap is a simple way of having eyes in the back of your head. The design is based on the eyes of a shark. When you see someone wearing the mask strap underwater, you will notice how the eyes stand out. Any approaching shark would be left in no doubt it had been spotted.

Research by shark experts proves, direct eye contact can deter a shark from attacking you

2010-08-10T05:35:08Z

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sharks

Research by shark experts proves, direct eye contact can deter a shark from attacking you

I.S.A.F. (International Shark Attack File Organisation) official statistics show that shark attacks are on the increase.
Some dive operators however, downplay the risk from sharks, ridiculing the idea that a diver will be attacked. I believe this is irresponsible, shark attacks might be rare, but the risk is real.

While shark attacks are uncommon, when they do happen, the results are horrifying. Like most predators, sharks use stealth and surprise to attack their victim, generally from behind. Which is why most shark attack survivor’s report never seeing the shark that bit them.

The ‘Sharkproof’ mask strap was inspired by the eyes Park Rangers paint on the back of their helmets to deter tigers from attacking them in the jungles of India.

Sharks, like tigers and most other predators, use stealth and surprise to attack their victim, generally from behind.

This is where the innovative Sharkproof mask strap could can help protect you. The strap has penetrating shark eyes printed on the back, which could be enough to convince an approaching shark that it has been spotted.

This is supported by scientists and shark experts who say, sharks seem to be very aware of a diver’s eyes, simply being seen before contact is made can cause a shark to abort an attack.

While the product claim of helping to deter sneak shark attacks is supported by scientific evidence and shark experts, it is vital that you follow safe diving practice and adhere to diving regulations and or the advice of a dive leader.

Be warned, if you antagonize or entice a shark you risk serious injury and nothing will make you sharkproof!

I believe diving with sharks is a privilege, and an encounter with one of these magnificent predators an experience never to be forgotten.
Many divers/snorkelers can dive their whole lives and never get to see a shark, if you are lucky enough to encounter one, stay calm, relax and enjoy the moment!