The instinct to dive into water during a severe bee attack is common, based on the assumption that insects cannot follow you underwater. This reaction usually occurs during mass stinging incidents involving highly defensive species, such as Africanized honey bees. While seeking the perceived safety of a pond or pool may feel like the only option, this impulse creates a far more dangerous situation than remaining on land. Understanding why this move is counterproductive is the first step in planning a safe escape.
Why Submerging is Ineffective
Aggressive bee swarms, especially Africanized honey bees, display persistence when defending their colony or pursuing a threat. These bees will not fly away once you submerge; instead, they hover near the water’s surface, effectively trapping you. Their defensive behavior is coordinated through alarm pheromones, which marks the victim and signals other bees to attack the same target.
The bees are patient and will wait for you to surface, sometimes for hours, knowing you must eventually breathe. The moment you raise your head for air, you are immediately exposed to a renewed, concentrated assault. This focused attack often targets the face, eyes, and airways, the most vulnerable areas upon surfacing. The number of stings received can quickly become overwhelming, potentially leading to a fatal dose of venom.
Africanized bees are attracted to the carbon dioxide released when you exhale. Any bubbles you produce while waiting underwater effectively betray your position. Diving into water merely changes the location of the sustained attack to a fixed point on the surface. A quick escape is impossible while confined to the water, allowing the swarm to maintain its deadly focus.
The Secondary Danger of Panic and Exhaustion
Jumping into water during a mass stinging event introduces significant physical dangers separate from the stings. The physiological response to intense pain and panic causes an elevated heart rate and rapid, shallow breathing. This combination drastically impairs judgment and increases the risk of accidental drowning, especially when combined with physical exertion.
Panic can cause a person to surface gasping for air, creating the severe risk of accidentally inhaling a bee. A sting delivered inside the mouth or airway can cause rapid swelling, potentially blocking the ability to breathe entirely. Swimming while being stung quickly leads to severe exhaustion, making it difficult to maintain buoyancy or swim to safety.
Soaked clothing becomes heavy and weighs you down, complicating the struggle to stay afloat. The combination of stress, pain, and the necessity to constantly resurface makes the water a major hazard. The focus shifts from escaping the bees to a desperate struggle against drowning, often with the bees still hovering overhead.
Immediate Steps for Safe Escape
The correct response to a severe bee attack is to immediately run away from the area as fast as possible, seeking substantial distance from the hive. Running in a straight line is the most effective strategy, as aggressive bees will pursue a threat for a significant distance, sometimes up to a quarter-mile. The goal is to outdistance the swarm, which is achievable since a healthy human can maintain a faster pace than the bees’ pursuit speed.
While running, use your hands, shirt, or jacket to cover your head, neck, and face. This protects the most vulnerable areas, particularly the eyes, nose, and mouth, and allows you to maintain vision to find a safe route to shelter. Do not stop to swat at the bees, as flailing movements further aggravate the swarm and release more alarm pheromones.
The ultimate objective is to reach an enclosed structure where the bees cannot follow, such as a car or building. Once inside, close all doors and windows completely to create a secure barrier. Even if a few bees enter with you, the majority of the swarm will be blocked, allowing you to deal with the remaining insects safely.