World statistics show that one shark attack per person accounts for about two million car accidents and about 100 thousand drops of coconuts. Why do we, with bated breath, remember these inhabitants of the deep sea and think about how to escape from a shark? The "shark issue" was aggravated in many respects by the latest news about the attacks of these predators in Egypt. The latest Hollywood blockbuster “Shallow” (The Shallows, 2016), where a buoy girl escapes from a shark, takes a leading place in the rating of films. About which sharks are dangerous to humans and why they attack, this article. And also about how to escape from a shark, if the meeting still happened.
Sharks are different
This suborder of cartilaginous fish Selachii has 526 species of sharks - from the smallest Etmopterus perryi, the maximum length of which is 21 cm, to the largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), whose length is up to 20 meters. Sharks are found in the seas and oceans, and some go into fresh water.
The distinguishing features of these fish are a torpedo-shaped body and a large heterocercal caudal fin, a flat head and many teeth on both jaws. Sharks are dioecious and most ovoviviparous.
We can say that all sharks are real predators, actively hunting for food. And only three species - whale, giant, large-mouthed - are filtrators that feed on plankton, and which do not even have teeth.
The most dangerous
Among the variety of these predators of water open spaces, the following are considered deservedly the most dangerous:
- Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) - reaches 12 meters in length and is common in all oceans, except the Arctic. The girl escapes from the shark of this particular species in the previously mentioned film. But according to biologists, about 3500 individuals remain in the world of white sharks, and they are considered a species that is threatened with extinction.
- Tiger or leopard shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large (up to 5.5 meters in length) inhabitant of tropical and subtropical waters of the World Ocean. Until 2 years of age, these sharks have pronounced dark stripes or spots on the dorsal part of the body. The most numerous species of sharks, which is the object of fishing.
- Bull shark or blunt shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - reaches a length of 4 meters, can go into fresh water. Quite aggressive predators of tropical and subtropical waters.
- Mako shark or black-winged shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) - an inhabitant of temperate and tropical waters, reaches a length of up to 4.5 meters. It is considered the fastest and most frisky representative of sharks and also has the status of a vulnerable species.
- Blue (blue) shark or wet (Prionace glauca) - distributed in all waters except the northern. Body length - up to 3.8 meters. These sharks often approach the coast, it is with them the probability of meeting more than with other sharks.
There were meetings with other representatives of the shark kingdom - long-winged, hammerhead sharks, lemon and Galapagos sharks. In total, meetings were recorded with 29 species of sharks, which ended for a person with a varying degree of adverse effects.
How and why they attack
Before discussing whether it is possible to escape from a shark in the sea, it is worthwhile to understand when and how they attack. Any object comparable to the size of this predator potentially becomes its prey. And the person in this case is just the right sized object of interest for the shark.
Nature has perfected the mouth of this predator. The upper jaw of the shark is not connected with the skull and can perform translational movements. When the prey is captured, the lower jaw of the shark closes and holds the victim, and the upper one strikes forward and down. A shark moves its head to the sides and snatches pieces from the victim.
Moreover, most of the attacks of these predators were provoked by the people themselves. How to escape from a shark attack? First of all, do not provoke a predator. The actions of a person who provoke a shark to attack can be intentional (they teased themselves) or not intentional (swam to its hunting territory).
But there are also unprovoked attacks when the predator is simply hungry.
The aggressive predator attitude often begins and ends with warning signals, but no attack occurs. According to statistics, this is the end of 42% of human encounters with sharks.
In 31% of cases, sharks make a single attack, but when they meet resistance, they retreat.
Do not retreat and repeat the shark attack in 27% of cases of human encounters with them in the open sea. How to escape from a shark in this case? Only fight and hope for your own luck.
Do not wear bright swimming trunks and watches
In order not to have to think about how to escape from a shark, you need to take all necessary measures so as not to become their object of interest. And here simple but effective methods will help:
- The misconception that sharks are hard to see has already been refuted. Their eyesight is like that of cats. But they also distinguish colors. A brilliant watch and a bright wetsuit may well become a reason to think about how to escape from a shark attracted by these items.
- Diving on the high seas is great. But it is precisely with divers that the risk of encountering sharks is quite high. If you become the lucky one who met them, move slowly and smoothly - maybe the fish will not see the prey in you.
- Even more likely to attract sharks, doing snorkeling - swimming in the upper layer of water. The noise that the swimmer makes is like the sounds that a wounded animal makes.
- And most importantly, refuse to bathe if there is even a small bleeding cut. Sharks sense blood a few kilometers away. And a hungry predator will certainly be interested, and the swimmer will already have a real problem - how to escape from a shark in the sea.
Some more tips
In addition to the above, keep in mind that most of the sharks are nocturnal predators. Therefore, going on a romantic night bath, be prepared for unpredictable consequences.
When meeting with a predator, take a pose that is not typical for fish - take an upright position and do not make sudden movements. Try not to wet yourself - the smell of new physiological fluid will only increase the interest of the shark.
Keep in mind that, according to statistics, men are much more likely to become the subject of a predator attack than women. This is due to an increased level of adrenaline, which is released into the blood when there is danger in the stronger sex. And the Lorencini ampoules on the shark snout are very susceptible to these stress hormones.
Well, the last - pray that the shark is not very hungry.
If the predator attacks
Well, if you are “lucky, " and the shark makes an attack, then the scenario can go two ways. We will tell you more about how you can save yourself from the shark below, and the swimmer himself will have to take measures to survive.
Recall that sharks are solitary predators and attack solitary targets. So it’s better to swim in groups. Do not turn your back to the shark and try to keep it in sight. Do not forget to breathe - oddly enough, but panic is capable and not for such jokes.
Do not swim without a wetsuit. Before the attack, sharks often check the victim, swimming in the immediate vicinity, and, as it were, “rub” against the diver. Shark skin is sandpaper and can peel a solid piece of skin. And subsequent bleeding will make the swimmer a welcome prey.
Strategy One: Fight to the End
When the shark attacks, fight back. As already mentioned, the predator may well retreat. Do not give up - your life is at stake.
If there is a harpoon - use it and aim at the head. The eyes and gills are the most vulnerable parts of the body of the predator. If there is no weapon, improvise, a camera or stone will be used. If there is absolutely nothing at hand - beat the shark in the eyes or gills. Well, or wherever you have to - show that you are a worthy opponent, and the shark can surrender first.
Remember - at the time of the attack, the shark swims with its mouth open and does not see the attacker. And this gives at least a small, but a chance to dodge the teeth of a predator.
Strategy Two: sail away
For a diver, it would be logical to sink to the bottom or snuggle up to the rock. And slowly move to the shore. It is better to swim with a breaststroke on the back - so less noise.
If you are near a boat - quietly and without panic call for help and leave the water as soon as possible.
Do not block the path to the ocean for this dangerous predator - it can be perceived as a challenge. Keep calm and swim to the shore or to something where you can get out of the water.
Remember - between attacks, the shark swims around the diver and makes an attack in a clearly organized pattern. After understanding it, the swimmer gets the opportunity to take measures to avoid a bite.
