Shark attacks are extremely rare events, but minimizing risk is important for anyone entering the ocean. Globally, only about 60 to 70 unprovoked bites are confirmed each year, with fewer than 10 of those being fatal. The vast majority of these interactions are not predatory but are considered investigatory bites or cases of mistaken identity. Sharks use their mouths to explore novel objects because they lack hands, which can result in a bite. This article provides actionable steps to reduce the risk of a shark encounter.
Environmental and Temporal Avoidance
Timing ocean activities can be a powerful method of avoidance, as many shark species follow a crepuscular feeding pattern. They are often most active during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk, taking advantage of reduced visibility to hunt prey. Avoiding the water during these twilight periods and at night greatly lowers the probability of an encounter.
Water clarity and location also play a significant role in risk assessment. Murky water, particularly near river mouths, canals, or areas where wastewater drains, should be avoided. These conditions provide a tactical advantage for sharks hunting in low visibility. The presence of large schools of fish or marine mammals, such as seals, indicates an active food source that may attract larger sharks to the area.
Avoid areas where commercial or recreational fishing is actively taking place. The discharge of fish blood, guts, or discarded bait into the water can attract sharks from a significant distance through their highly developed sense of smell. Choosing to swim at beaches monitored by professional lifeguards offers an additional layer of protection, as personnel are trained to spot potential hazards and warn swimmers.
Personal Behavioral Safety Measures
A person’s behavior while in the water can influence a shark’s interest. Excessive splashing or erratic movements generate low-frequency vibrations that can be interpreted as the distress signals of injured prey. Instead, maintain steady, deliberate movements and exit the water calmly if a shark is sighted.
Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or high-contrast clothing because the reflection of light off metallic or bright objects can mimic the flash of fish scales. Furthermore, do not enter the water with an open wound or while actively bleeding, including during menstruation. Sharks possess an acute sense of smell and can detect minute concentrations of blood and bodily fluids.
Solitary swimmers are at a higher risk, so always adhere to the “buddy system” and swim in a group for increased safety. Groups are often perceived as less vulnerable than a single individual, and having companions ensures immediate assistance is available in an emergency. Never attempt to swim with pets, as their erratic movements may inadvertently attract a shark’s attention.
Active Deterrent Technology and Gear
Specialized gear has been developed to actively repel sharks using their unique sensory biology. Electronic deterrents, which emit a small electrical field, are the most scientifically validated category. These devices work by overstimulating the shark’s Ampullae of Lorenzini, electroreceptors on its snout, causing an uncomfortable sensation that encourages the shark to turn away.
Certain electrical devices can reduce the probability of a shark interaction, though no device offers 100% effectiveness. Magnetic deterrents, often sold as wearable bands, also target the shark’s electroreception. However, studies have shown them to have limited effect against larger species like the Great White shark.
Visual deterrents, such as high-contrast patterns or LED lights, are also being studied, particularly for use on surfboards, suggesting they can disrupt a shark’s visual approach. While these technologies can provide an added layer of security for ocean users, they should always be used as a supplement to basic behavioral precautions.
Emergency Protocols During an Encounter
If a shark is spotted nearby, exit the water immediately, doing so as calmly and quickly as possible. If the shark begins to circle or display investigative behavior, maintain continuous eye contact, as sharks prefer to attack from an angle where they are unseen. Facing the shark asserts a more dominant posture than allowing it to approach from behind.
If an attack occurs, the protocol shifts from avoidance to aggressive physical defense. Do not attempt to play dead. Instead, focus on fighting back and targeting the most sensitive areas of the shark’s body: the eyes, the gills, and the tip of the snout.
Use any available object, such as a surfboard, dive knife, or camera, as a barrier or a weapon to increase the effectiveness of the defense. Once the shark has been deterred, immediately exit the water to prevent further attacks. Any wound requires prompt first aid to control bleeding, followed by immediate medical attention.