Most of us have seen footage of ferocious looking great white sharks, enthusiastically attacking prey and consuming it in great, vicious gulps. You would have to be crazy to want to dive with sharks, minus the protection of a steel cage – wouldn’t you? Not exactly. As most shark enthusiasts know, you can safely dive with sharks, no cages required. In order to do that though, there are specific safety procedures that should be followed.
Rule Number One: Know Your Sharks
There are 440 different shark species alive in the world today. All descended from sharks that lived about 420 million years ago, and while many sharks are indeed top predators, very few pose a real threat to humans; even then, knowing how and when to dive with dangerous species like Great Whites, Makos, and Bull sharks is the key to preventing shark accidents.
First, it is important to understand that sharks are primal creatures with very strong instincts, but that they are much more than simple eating machines. Recent studies have shown that many sharks possess intelligence equal to that of birds or mammals. They are curious, quite social, and possess good problem solving skills. They have a keen sense of smell, and are able to detect as little as one part per million of blood in seawater; they are attracted to the scent of urine, and they are also attracted to the odor of decaying fish – one reason chumming works so well to bring them in.
While at rest, sharks keep their eyes open. Researchers have watched sharks napping on the seabed, with their eyes tracking divers the entire time. You cannot sneak up on a shark, nor should you ever attempt it. Even mild mannered sharks can and will bite if they feel threatened, and even juvenile sharks can inflict a painful bite that requires stitches.
Sharks are found in all of the ocean’s seas, with the smallest being the dwarf lanternshark, and the largest being the filter-feeding whale shark. When diving with sharks, learn which species of sharks are normally present and do all you can to understand their behaviors. This will help you feel comfortable and avoid making mistakes that can lead to accidents.
Rule Number Two: Never Look Like Prey
The sharks that most often bite humans do so because victims often resemble prey or act like prey; and in some instances, they may bite at equipment that flashes in a way that resembles the flashing side of a fish passing. Sharks that prey on marine mammals, such as seals and dolphins, tend to watch for prey from depths below where that prey normally is, then move up and toward the prey quickly, grasping it, dragging it under, and taking a taste. Incidentally, most human shark attack victims live to tell the tale, simply because we don’t taste good to sharks. They rarely take a second bite.
You can avoid looking like a prey object by keeping colors neutral, staying close to your buddy, and maintaining an imposing vertical profile. If you want to attract sharks while protecting yourself, you’ll need to keep that vertical profile, but avoid clustering too tightly with a group of divers. Set up in pairs or in threes to look less menacing, and sharks will come closer for a good look – but they’ll keep enough distance to keep you feeling safe.
Avoid using tactics like feeding or waving a brightly colored glove at the animals. If you get them too excited, you will no longer have the upper hand, and you might have an accident. Instead, try humming a little tune into your regulator or banging two rocks together to incite the sharks’ curiosity. Maintain a low vertical profile on the bottom, near a large rock or wall, where you don’t run the risk of looking like prey. Sharks will come closer, but they’ll remain wary. You can enjoy the view without putting yourself at risk.
Rule Number Three: Never Provoke a Shark
When diving with sharks of any kind, A good policy to follow is to remember that you are a guest in the shark’s environment. You are, in essence, visiting its living room. Do not poke, provoke, chase, startle, or corner a shark, and never try to reach out and touch one. In addition, sharks do not like direct eye contact. Watch them carefully and never take your eyes off a shark you are diving with, but avoid aggressive staring behavior. Let the shark investigate you on its own terms.
Sharks often present specific behaviors when they are aggravated, and often, fish around you will know what’s going on and head for their favorite hiding places. Watch for quick, jerky movements, and look out for an abrupt change in swimming style. If a shark suddenly tenses, brings his pectoral fins into a stiff downward position, or make any erratic movements, chances are good that it feels threatened. Trust your own instincts; it is better to be too cautious than not careful enough.
Rule Number Four: Know What to Do in Case of an Emergency
If for some reason you find that you need to surface while a shark is nearby, then make all your movements slow and deliberate. Keep your eyes on the shark while swimming carefully to your preplanned exit point, and stay down on the bottom for as long as you can while making that swim. Long surface swims in the presence of sharks put you at risk, making you look like prey. Once you arrive at your exit point, use smooth motions to get on board the dive boat or back up onto the shore. Sharks are attracted by quick, jerky motions. Do not allow yourself to show signs of panic.
Always dive with a plan, and always go on planned shark dives with a knowledgeable guide. Not only will you be more likely to encounter sharks, you will be more likely to enjoy a safe, yet incredible experience. Every year, more people die of drowning than are bitten by sharks, yet humans continue to kill these animals by the hundreds of thousands. By increasing your own awareness and helping to educate others about these necessary predators, you can help to give them better odds in a world where the cards are stacked against them. So, learn all you can, and safe diving!