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ArchivesForget the nose! Punch 'im in the eyeball!
in reply to a message by Sarahjeanne
Excerpted from *The Worst-case Scenario Survival Handbook*
HOW TO FEND OFF A SHARK: HIT BACK
If a shark is coming toward you or attacks you, use anything you have in your possession -- a camera, probe, harpoon gun, your fist -- to hit the shark's eyes or gills, which are the areas most sensitive to pain... Contrary to popular opinion, the shark's nose is not the area to attack, unless you cannot reach the eyes or gills.
HOW TO AVOID AN ATTACK
* Always stay in groups -- sharks are more likely to attack an individual.
* Do not wander too far from shore. This isolates you and creates the additional danger of being too far from assistance.
* Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours, when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
* Do not enter the water if you are bleeding from an open would or if you are menstruating -- a shark is drawn to blood and its olfactory ability is acute.
* Try not to wear shiny jewelry, because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
* Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commerical fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activity.
* Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid showing any uneven tan lines or wearing brightly colored clothing -- sharks see contrast particularly well.
* If a shark shows itself to you, it may be curious rather than predatory and will probably swim on leave you alone. If you are under the surface and lucky enough to see an attacking shark, then you do have a good chance of defending yourself if the shark is not too large.
* Scuba divers should avoid lying on the surface where they may look like a piece of prey to a shark, and from where they cannot see a shark approaching.
* A shark attack is a potential danger for anyone who frequents marine waters, but it should be kept in perspective. Bees, wasps, and snakes are responsible for far more fatalities each year, and in the United States the annual risk of death from lightning is thirty times greater than from a shark attack.
-- Nanaea
HOW TO FEND OFF A SHARK: HIT BACK
If a shark is coming toward you or attacks you, use anything you have in your possession -- a camera, probe, harpoon gun, your fist -- to hit the shark's eyes or gills, which are the areas most sensitive to pain... Contrary to popular opinion, the shark's nose is not the area to attack, unless you cannot reach the eyes or gills.
HOW TO AVOID AN ATTACK
* Always stay in groups -- sharks are more likely to attack an individual.
* Do not wander too far from shore. This isolates you and creates the additional danger of being too far from assistance.
* Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours, when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
* Do not enter the water if you are bleeding from an open would or if you are menstruating -- a shark is drawn to blood and its olfactory ability is acute.
* Try not to wear shiny jewelry, because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
* Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commerical fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activity.
* Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid showing any uneven tan lines or wearing brightly colored clothing -- sharks see contrast particularly well.
* If a shark shows itself to you, it may be curious rather than predatory and will probably swim on leave you alone. If you are under the surface and lucky enough to see an attacking shark, then you do have a good chance of defending yourself if the shark is not too large.
* Scuba divers should avoid lying on the surface where they may look like a piece of prey to a shark, and from where they cannot see a shark approaching.
* A shark attack is a potential danger for anyone who frequents marine waters, but it should be kept in perspective. Bees, wasps, and snakes are responsible for far more fatalities each year, and in the United States the annual risk of death from lightning is thirty times greater than from a shark attack.
-- Nanaea
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