I know you are probably here to learn the most advanced techniques to wrestle a shark into submission so that one day you can survive your worst nightmare, but before I get there there is so much more I want you to know about sharks. First of all the basics: sharks aren't mindless eaters. And there is no such a thing as shark infested waters.
Cute. But what does that mean? It means sharks live in the ocean and have lived there for a very long time, way before humans started walking on Earth. Which also means sharks have evolved to eat dead and dying fish in their habitat. Cetaceans and pinnipeds sometimes. So we, as occasional visitors, are not listed under the dinner menu and we can coexist. To get to the point of being accidentally face to face with a shark that wants to eat us is extremely rare. Spontaneous drownings due to underestimating the ocean power are way more common.
That was "intro to sharks". Now that we understand people aren't usually food for sharks, there are some things we can do to stay safe in the ocean. This will shine a light on sharks and shark behavior. Sharks have two extra senses then people do and understanding how they work will help make good decisions even before getting in the water. The list is: Eye sight, smell, taste, earring, touch. And the super powers: Electricity detector, and the ability to feel the slightest water pressure change.
Eyes: They can see just as good as we do with a mask on. See way better at night. Zero vision in no visibility.
Nose: They can smell anything nearby. Will react to fish blood if the current is going the right way.
Ears: They have a phenomenal earring
Mouth: They will not just use this to eat but also to investigate potential prey when unsure. Will spit out anything they don't consider food. That why when we hear of shark bites are just bites and not consumption.
Skin: Sharks have very tough skin with a tough but squishier underbelly.
Ampullae of Lorenzini: Jelly filled pores around the snout that can detect electromagnetic activity
Lateral line: A line of sensitive cells that runs along the side of the shark's body making them extremely sensitive to water pressure.
Having a basic understanding of how their senses work, and knowing that they won't consider us prey unless we act like a panicked animal, we can act accordingly. Don't dive where visibility is low and outside of harbors or rivermouths (if they can't see us and their smell is overwhelmed by lots of other smells they could mistake us for food). Don't splash around frantically. Stay aware and look around and behind you often. Don't swim around with fish attached to you. Most times if there is a shark in the area on the reef it will try to avoid you and mind its business.
But what happens when sharks don't mind their business? You have been swimming in the ocean your whole life. You are confident in your swimming skills. You aren't splashing, you are aware of your surroundings, and a shark still came out of nowhere and started circling you. Now what? What if a shark approaches you while swimming? How do you wrestle a shark?
Whenever possible you don't. Keep calm. Try to exit the scene without making it look like you are a prey worth chasing. Eye contact, and a confident but calm swim to the beach or your boat is your choice at this point. And if you get approached? Here's the trick. Your way out of it isn't punching them on the nose (at best you'll miss against the water pressure. And if you get to slowly punch the animal you'll either hurt yourself or cause them to open their mouth as a reflex). And your way out isn't pocking them in the eyes that will mostly be covered by a stab proof nictitating membrane. Your way out is swimming out of the trajectory of a bite and make them realize you are not the easy meal they wanted.
Pushing down on a shark knowing that gravity is on your side is a technique you can use, but without training it should be your very last resort as the shark could take multiple redirects before giving up. Taking on a shark takes 100% awareness, amazing swimming skills, and knowing where and how to push. This should never be attempted without trying every other option first.
And now that you know how to avoid unwanted shark encounters, you are ready for your next step. Meet and admire the sharks' beauty on purpose! Online or in the safe company of an expert professional in person.
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