How to Prevent and Survive a Shark Attack

Jim McKenzie

Since 2000 there have been thirty-seven shark attacks along the Pacific Coast. Only two of these attacks have been fatal. This says a great deal about sharks. There are thousands of sharks that reside in the Pacific Ocean and if there have only been two fatalities and thirty-seven attacks in seven years, I would say that that is a pretty good ratio. If people, shark hunters in general, look at this statistic then they should realize there is no need to be killing sharks. People need to understand that when you enter another being’s domain you have to be considerate and careful of that being. Humans do not live in the ocean, sharks and many other marine life do. We have to understand that when we enter the water we enter the shark’s territory not the other way around. Swimming in the ocean is a risk that you have to be willing to take. If you are not willing to take the risk of being attacked by a shark then it is very simple – DO NOT SWIM IN THE OCEAN!!! It is a very easy concept to grasp. Even though people enter the ocean they should be wary of sharks and I still think that it is necessary for us to know how to defend ourselves if we are being attacked by a shark.

There are many steps that you must first consider before you enter the sharks realm. First you want to do a couple of safety checks. One of the most important things to do is to check to see if you have any open wounds. A shark can smell one drop of blood from one mile away. That is pretty amazing. If you do have open wounds then you are going to want to bandage them up thoroughly. Next I would go ahead and recommend that you do not wear a wet suit. Sharks can easily mistake a person in a wet suit as a seal. And one of a shark’s favorite meals is a seal. Also before you enter the ocean you might want to go ahead and think twice about surfing or boogey boarding. When you are out in the water laying on a boogey board or surfboard, from underneath you look exactly like a seal. There is no doubt if a shark sees you from underneath then you are most likely going to be attacked. Then go ahead and think if you are out in the ocean all by yourself and there is a shark you are most likely going to be the one who is going to be attacked. Make sure you go into the water with a big group of people. It is much more unlikely that you will be the one who gets attacked. Even if you do see a shark, which is extremely unlikely, the best advice is not to swim to the shore. Go underwater with the shark and do not move. Many sharks are attracted to movement. Just make sure that you are underwater and that you can see every move that the shark is making. Now that you have thought about all of these safety tips, you are ready to enter the water – if you DARE!!!

Now you are in the ocean with the predators of the deep. You are in their realm. All of a sudden you feel a huge tug on your leg. At first you have no idea what it was because you have already gone into shock. Most people do not understand that when you are first bitten by a shark it does not hurt. The pain is so intense that you go into shock and you cannot feel a thing. Once you realize that a shark has bitten you, this is when most people start to freak out. I know it is extremely hard not to freak out once you realize that a massive shark has attached its mouth around your leg, but you have to try and remain calm. The first thing you need to do is go underwater with the shark. If you can, hit the sharks nose as hard as possible. If you do not learn anything else from this essay make sure that you understand that this is the most important step in surviving a shark attack. Once you hit a shark’s nose they automatically open their mouths just long enough so that you have time to pull yourself out of the sharks grasp. If this step does not work, which is a one and a hundred chance that it doesn’t, the next best thing to do is to try and rip the sharks gills. This should make the shark open its mouth from pain and you should have enough time to escape. Another good tip is to try and gouge out the sharks eyes. These are the main steps that will help save you life if you are the unlucky person who is being attacked by a shark.

Now that you have read this essay I just want to go ahead and point out that you have a better chance of being hit by a car than being bitten by a shark. It is very unlikely that you would ever have to even worry about being attacked even if you see one. Also you must remember that sharks do not know if you have families or friends. They are just like us. We kill food everyday so that we can survive in the world. If sharks do not eat then they will not survive either. We need to realize that when we enter the shark’s domain it is possible that we can become their dinner.