How to Survive a Shark Attack

Sharks rarely attack humans, but when they do, the consequences are often serious injuries, and sometimes even death. Scientists don't believe sharks attack humans because we are their preferred prey; rather, sharks attack out of curiosity to determine what kind of animal we are—much like dogs sniffing new people they meet. The main difference is that a shark's 'investigation' is far more dangerous. The best way to avoid injury is to stay clear of shark habitats, but if you accidentally find yourself in their territory, it's important to have a plan in place to deal with them.

Don't take your eyes off the shark. Sharks employ different methods of attack. Sometimes they charge directly, other times they circle you before striking, and occasionally they will attack from behind. To defend yourself, it’s critical to know the shark’s location, so make sure to keep them in sight, even if you’re trying to escape.

Stay calm and avoid sudden movements. When a shark appears, it is likely that it is simply swimming by and has no intention of bothering you. You can’t swim faster than a shark, so attempting to swim quickly to safety may not be wise unless you are near the shore. It’s important to always have strategies in place to continuously assess the situation and find a way to swim to safety.

• Gently swim toward the shore or a nearby boat; choose the closest option. Avoid splashing water, slapping your hands, or kicking your legs as you swim.
• Don’t block the shark’s path. If you are swimming between the shark and the area it is heading towards, swim away in another direction.
• When swimming away, avoid turning your back on the shark. Always keep the shark in your sight.

Take a defensive stance. If you can’t get out of the water immediately, try to reduce the shark’s ability to attack. If you’re in shallow water, place your feet on the ground. Slowly back yourself up against a coral reef, a post, or a rock—any solid object—so that the shark can’t circle behind you. This way, you only need to defend yourself from the front.

• If diving near the shore, dive deeper into the water to find cover. Look for coral reefs or underwater rock formations to hide behind.
• When swimming on the surface, position yourself with another swimmer or diver behind you so you can defend yourself from a potential shark attack from any direction.

Seek medical attention. If bitten by a shark, it’s crucial to get treatment as soon as possible. Depending on the bite's location, you could lose a lot of blood, so act quickly to stop the bleeding. Even a small wound requires a medical checkup. Stay calm until you receive medical help to avoid excessive blood loss.

• Remember to breathe while fighting. You need to keep your body supplied with oxygen to fight effectively and escape quickly to safety.
• Avoid sudden movements, as this may attract the shark's attention; they can detect your motion.
• Don't wear shiny jewelry or watches. These items can attract sharks. Instead, opt for darker, simple accessories.
• NEVER play dead when a shark is swimming nearby. This can make the shark mistake you for an easy target. They may attack, leaving you with little chance of survival.
• If you're attacked while swimming with a group, form a circle and defend yourself. Push and punch outwards from the circle.
• For divers, if a shark is following you, use a knife or sharp object to defend yourself. But if the shark is waiting for an opportunity to attack, try to hide in a safe spot underwater and always keep the shark in sight rather than trying to surface and lose track of it.
• Sharks often attack repeatedly to try and tear their prey into pieces. So, if you’re being attacked, holding on to the shark will prevent it from tearing you apart. This can also prevent the shark's teeth from digging deeper into you, as their teeth are designed to latch onto prey.
• If you're bleeding, avoid swimming or boating. You’ll be an easy target for sharks. Never approach a shark.
• Don’t show excessive fear when encountering a shark. Usually, they won’t try to harm you. If a shark swims calmly near you, don’t try to attack it; typically, sharks won't have any hostile intent towards you.
• Don’t try to climb on the shark’s body. Sharks are quite flexible and can easily turn their head to attack you.

• Never engage in actions that provoke sharks or intentionally put yourself in a situation where you could easily be attacked by one.