How to Swim with Sharks Safely
Swimming with sharks sounds dangerous, but it isn’t - relatively speaking anyway. All things in life carry risk, but swimming with sharks is very low on the list. Only five people are killed by sharks each year -- that’s 100 times less than by elephants -- and these attacks are often either accidental (as a case of mistaken identity) or provoked by humans.
It’s unlikely that by putting yourself in a position that engages you with sharks, that you’ll compromise your safety. The risks of drowning or suffering from issues relating to being in the water, such as decompression sickness, are actually far higher.
With that said, it cannot be argued that sharks are not carnivorous apex predators that have the capacity to cause harm. These are the ocean’s most prolific killers, so to assume total safety whilst amongst them would be foolish.
Over the years, marine biologists and divers alike have been encountering and studying these marvellous creatures, and the community has come to understand a lot about these previously very misunderstood animals.
Dispelling myths and refuting fantasy, the facts speak for themselves. It is safe to swim with sharks if you do it properly. But that then begs the question, how do you swim with sharks safely?
Be Careful Around the Big Three
Almost every serious or fatal incident is caused by a collection of just three animals: great white sharks, bull sharks, and tiger sharks. These are massive and powerful animals that hunt large prey in coastal waters. They’re highly tuned for the kill, aggressive by nature, and territorial. And, while they are still very far from the most dangerous animals on our planet, these sharks have the potential to do a great deal of damage. When looking to increase your chances of having a safe encounter, being careful around these three sharks is important.
It’s worth noting that of the big three, tiger sharks are usually very passive, and bull sharks rarely attack in deep water. Some dive operators offer swimming experiences with tiger sharks and bull sharks, and providing they are reputable and knowledgeable, there is no reason to believe they are leading you into a death trap. If you pick the right conditions, any shark can be swum with safely, even the great white. We’re not suggesting any of these sharks are mindless killers that will chomp anything that moves, they are just higher risks than other species.
Dive/Swim with Confidence
Sharks respond to electric currents and movements that they sense in the water. A floundering fish or a panicking seal tells them it's meal time, and they’ll charge in for the easy kill. If you get into difficulties and start flapping about, or jump in and out of water with too much enthusiasm, you’ll mimic the sensations of injured prey and invite the opportunity for confusion and an accidental attack. It’s not that you are treading on eggshells, and that they could kick off at any moment, but instead by avoiding behaviour that turns you from fellow swimmer to potential meal, you reduce your risk of harm. This also aids another safety tip:
Keep the Situation Calm
A nervous or uncomfortable shark will do one of two things: It’ll flee, or it’ll go on the offensive. Fight or flight. Make sure you maintain calm movements and remain horizontal when possible. Sharks are used to seeing long animals, not tall animals. A vertical human is an unusual sight. Don’t make erratic movements that they may perceive as threatening. Calm, slow and gentle movements are required around sharks. Imagine you’re swimming through a zen garden. It’s also a good idea to give a shark plenty of space, particularly in a reef environment. If you are in its way, and it wants to escape in a hurry, it will go through you. Does that mean it’ll try to eat you? Probably not. But a hefty shark body slamming you on the way to freedom isn’t going to be pleasant or injury-free experience.
Avoid More Dangerous Swim Times
Sharks are nocturnal predators, who come out to hunt when the sun goes down. Diving during these times is far more likely to end in injury, as when sharks get into a feeding frenzy, it’ll be excitable and hungry for the kill. It may not aim for you intentionally, but we all get carried away from time-to-time. During the day though, they tend to be passive and calm creatures that display either a gentle curiosity towards people, or even shy away from them.
Consider Water Conditions
Despite popular misconceptions, sharks have excellent eyesight. But, that eyesight doesn’t work in murky waters. Here, they rely on electromagnetic senses to detect electrical pulses in organic life, such as fish. The problem is, you also produce these electric pulses. Therefore, a shark may mistake you for prey and attack because it has no way of knowing you aren’t a juicy little fishy. Good visibility is essential for safe shark swimming, if only to let the sharks know you aren’t on the dinner menu.
Dive in Groups
Sharks aren’t just creatures of instinct, but this factor certainly plays a role in their behaviour. A lone target, by nature, is less of a threat and more vulnerable. By swimming in groups, you present what you might call a united front against aggression, as more individuals possess more of a challenge to a hunt and make the prospect far less appealing. Groups also have the added bonus of more eyes to watch out for potentially threatening behaviour. Which leads us to our next point:
Learn When to Leave the Water
Sharks, like most other animals, use body language to display mood and intentions. This is a core communication method amongst sharks, but as humans we are not attuned to this behaviour and an untrained eye is likely to miss warning signs that a shark is not enjoying your company.
Research shark behaviour, particularly the species you intend to encounter. A general rule is that sharks will become more erratic when becoming aggressive, moving quickly and changing directions rapidly. They’ll also arch their spines, move up and down, and lower their fins to become more streamlined and ready to strike fast. They may also let their jaw hang open to display their teeth in a show of dominance.
If you start to notice these behaviours, it’s important not to panic, as that will escalate the situation. Instead, give them space through slow and calm movements, and if that does not defuse the tension, remove yourself from the situation by exiting the water gently.
Avoid Forced Interaction
Sharks can be curious animals, and may venture over to you for a closer look. This is fine and nothing to worry about. A close encounter is a powerful experience, and you should savour the moment. But, only if the shark approaches you. If you start getting in a shark’s space, you may find it does not want you there. Avoid conflict by practising passive observation. Give the animal plenty of room and let them control the encounter.
Xplore Our Planet wants to remind you, after all this advice about cutting down risks, that swimming with sharks really is not dangerous, and that safety measures only increase your chances of a fun and enjoyable encounter. Thousands of people deliberately swim with sharks each year, and attacks on these individuals are completely unheard of.
The vast majority of attacks occur on unsuspecting swimmers in shallow waters who don’t pay attention to the advice above. Make sure you put yourself in the right situation, and your shark encounter is going to be as safe as any other type of wildlife encounter. The best way to swim with sharks is to do so with a guide or dive instructor that has knowledge of the local population and how to best enjoy their company.
