Here’s how to stay safe from sharks while swimming in the ocean.
Sharks are intelligent and curious animals who are likely just as intimidated by you as you are of them.
By entering the ocean, we are taking on the responsibility of entering their home.
JUAN OLIPHANT/One Ocean
And while keeping cool when nose to nose with a shark may seem impossible, it isn’t.
Research local shark patterns.
Bring a mask and fins on long swims.
Leave the white bikini at home.
Believe it or not, when it comes to sharks, the color of your clothing and gear matters.
Don’t worry if you have a cut sharks don’t react to human blood.
Yes, you read that right.
“Sharks do not react to human blood or scent,” says Cunningham.
Act like a predator by constantly checking your surroundings.
Sharks will wait until they find an animal’s blind spot before they approach.
Make eye contact if you see a shark.
While making eye contact is key to establishing yourself as a predator, don’t get too locked in.
Cunningham warns, “If there’s one shark, there could be others.”
So, after you make initial eye contact, look around for other sharks.
Create space between you and the shark.
This is where those fins come in handy.
Slowly back away after you’ve made eye contact, but avoid splashing and making noise.
“Avoid erratic movements and splashing like a sick or injured animal.
Act like a predator, not prey.”
Note the shark’s body language.
“Sharks are not inherently ‘aggressive,’ but they can be territorial or competitive,” explains Cunningham.
“Sharks will use their body language prior to any physical confrontation.
Remember that sharks swim by and ignore people all the time.
Over the years,drone footagehas shown sharks within feet of people who had no idea they had company.
Most of the time, sharks are just checking out the scene.
Above all, don’t panic.
The key to getting through any shark encounter is to act like a predator.
Cunningham says, “Sharks do not see people as a prey item.
More often than not, sharks completely ignore humans in the ocean.”
