Let’s face it — knowing how to avoid shark attacks is something every surfer should think about. Sure, they are often misunderstood and get a bad rap since they are incredibly vital to the ecosystem and oceanic food chain, and may not mean to attack surfers in particular. Sometimes we just look like food, dressed in our wetsuits on our boards, appearing as sea lions. But regardless, that doesn’t stop them from being big, frightening marine beasts that can still kill you.
Here is your complete guide on how to avoid shark attacks the next time you’re out catching waves in shark-infested waters:
How to Avoid Shark Attacks: Start With the Warning Signs
Look for warning signs. If a shark has been spotted in your area recently, be wary of the danger. Often, beaches have signs indicating whether a shark has been spotted in the area recently. Don’t ignore the signs.
Be wary of surfing at night and at dawn. These are prime hours for when sharks feed. It might be wise not to be surfing when it’s dinner time for the sharks that may or may not be in your area.
Choose the Right Time, Place, and Company
Surf in groups. Sharks are more likely to attack individuals surfing alone than groups. Plus, the more surfers there are in the water, the lower the chance that you will be the one attacked.
Be wary of river mouths and channels. These are areas where food and fish flow out into the ocean, making them feeding grounds for sharks.
Be careful surfing after recent rainfall. Rainfall makes the water murky. The low visibility will make it harder for sharks to tell whether you’re a human or their next meal.
How to Avoid Shark Attacks With Your Appearance and Behavior
Don’t wear anything bright or shiny in color when you’re surfing. Shiny jewelry or bright colors can resemble fish scales, AKA shark food. Colors to be especially wary of wearing include bright colors like yellow, orange, and other high-contrast hues.
Don’t surf if you’re bleeding. This should be a no-brainer, as sharks are attracted to blood. It is a myth that sharks can smell a single drop of blood from a mile away. But regardless, staying out of the water while bleeding is still recommended as a precaution.
Stay away from dead animals or fish. Sharks will often feed on dead animals even if they are not the ones that killed it. If you see a dead animal or fish, stay as far away from it as possible.
Beware of underwater drop-offs or sandbars. Often, these provide ideal conditions for surfing. However, they are also known as shark-hangout areas, so keep that in mind.
Avoid fishing boats or fishermen. Fishermen use bait to attract fish. Sharks are fish. Sharks also eat fish. Don’t be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and get mistaken for bait.
Get out of the water IMMEDIATELY if there is a shark sighting. Do they really need to scream “SHARK!!!” twice?
How to Avoid Shark Attacks: Knowing Your Real Risk
Now that you’re properly spooked and have a good idea of how to avoid getting attacked by a shark, here’s a positive note. According to HowStuffWorks, Professor Jeff Rosenthal from the University of Toronto says your chances of getting attacked by a shark are 1 in 9 million. Less than 1 American per year is killed by a shark. Your lifetime odds of being killed by a shark are approximately 1 in 4.3 million, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Fun facts: Florida leads the world in shark attacks, accounting for more shark bites than any other US state — though it represents around 17% of total global incidents. The chances of getting attacked by a shark at a Florida beach are 1 in 430,000, and the odds of getting killed are 1 in 36 million. There’s a popular — though difficult to verify — claim that more people die from falling coconuts each year than from shark attacks. Whether or not the numbers stack up, it puts the risk in perspective.
