Diving With Sharks

The following are some tips on the best ways to behave when one is diving in the company of sharks, obviously, You have to be prepared and learn about the kinds of sharks you are likely to come across in the area where you are planning to dive and know something of what you should expect from the behaviour of these species. Keep in mind that maintaining diver safety become a lot more difficult with the decrease in visibility (such as in turbid water or at night) and with the increase in depth, current, task loading ( such as carrying a spear gun, an underwater camera, or other gear) and the number of sharks. Do not forget that the ocean is far more dangerous than any one shark. You have to set yourself some limitations and stay within those.

You have to discuss dive logistics and emergency plans (hand signals, entry and exit considerations, separation procedures, site analysis, etc.) before you go into the water.

* You have to behave like a good mannered ‘guest’ when you are diving. Keep in mind that you are a visitor to the shark’s abode. If you encounter any shark, let it approach and investigate you the way it wants to. Do not chase, grab, corner, spear, knife or even touch the shark in any way. You have to remember that it is a wild animal and it will defend itself if it perceives you to be threat. (it is most likely that the shark will just swim away rather than bite or snap at you if it thinks you are threatening it. However, it might not turn out that way and it is best that you do not force that issue.)

* Attempt to avoid staring right at the shark. You should watch it from the corner of your eyes instead. You should not lose sight of the shark when it is in your immediate vicinity for your own safety. You have to remain vigilant for a few minutes after you think the shark has left to make sure that it has gone.

* You have to remain motionless when you encounter a shark – preferably very near or at the bottom (so that you can try to be a part of the unthreatening bottom topography). Rapid movement of the diver often scares the shark into fleeing and might also cause it launch a defensive attack.

* You should avoid clustering with other divers – this is because sharks often see groups of divers as a single, huge and very frightening super-organism. Remain close to your diving buddy to maintain safety, but comparatively far away from other buddy pairs. Solo diving with sharks should be left to the professionals.

* Don’t, use bait or try to feed the shark when underwater. This might lure in other sharks and add a competitive factor to the situation.

* If you have to surface when a shark is near you, do so slowly and deliberately keeping the shark in sight at all times, and swim efficiently to your pre-planned exit point.