Seeing a shark’s dorsal fin darting across the surface of the water is enough to strike fear into the hearts and minds of most divers. After all, sharks — especially great whites — are largely regarded as the apex predators of the oceans. They swim through the water at lightning-fast speed, stalking and attacking even the most cautious marine animals. As a result, you might be wondering whether it’s dangerous to dive with sharks. While conventional wisdom leads many divers to believe that shark encounters can cause serious injury or even death, this isn’t necessarily true.
Overview of Sharks
Sharks are medium- and large-sized fish that are characterized by a cartilage-based skeletal structure. Like other fish, sharks have bones. Their bones made of conventional calcium and collagen, however. They are made of cartilage — the same substance from which our noses are made.
It’s unknown exactly why sharks have a cartilage-based skeletal structure, though some marine biologists believe it offers an evolutionary advantage over conventional bones. Cartilage bones, for example, are lighter and more flexible than conventional bones. As a result, sharks can dart through the water with minimal effort. In addition to being lightweight and flexible, cartilage bones are able to heal more quickly than conventional bones. If a shark sustains a skeletal injury, it can quickly heal the damaged bone or bones.
There are currently over 500 known species of sharks. With an average length of just 6.7 inches when fully grown, the dwarf lanternshark is the smallest species. The largest species is the whale shark, which can reach lengths of over 40 feet when fully grown. Each species has a unique appearance, as well as behaviors, but they are all characterized by a cartilage-based skeletal system.
Of course, sharks are most known for their predatory behavior. Sitting comfortably at the top of the aquatic food chain, they feast on a variety of marine animals.
Depending on the particular species, a typical shark’s diet may consist of the following:
- Fish
- Molluscs
- Dolphins
- Sea lions
- Shrimp
- Crabs
- Seals
- Porpoises
Shark Attacks: What You Should Know
Contrary to the image portrayed in mainstream media, shark attacks on humans are pretty rare. According to National Geographic, there is an average of just 19 shark attacks on humans each year in the United States. Furthermore, statistics show an average of one person is killed by a shark every two years in the United States. Based on these figures, the odds of being attacked by a shark when swimming or diving in the ocean is about one in 11.5 million, whereas the odds of being killed during a shark attack is just one in 264 million.
Why the Irrational Fear About Sharks?
If shark attacks involving humans are rare, why do so many people fear these marine animals? In the past, sharks were considered just another fish in the ocean. Millions of people would visit the beach to swim in the ocean with little or no fear of sharks. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s when the public’s perception of sharks took a dramatic turn.
In 1975, the American action and thriller movie “Jaws” was released in thousands of theaters throughout the United States. Although it received critical acclaim — and is now considered one of the greatest movies ever made — it fostered an irrational fear for sharks. As you may now, “Jaws” is an adaption of American author Peter Benchley’s novel. It tells the story of a vicious great white shark that attacks and terrorizes swimmers on Amity Island, New England.
It’s important to note that “Jaws” was based on a true story. In 1916, a group of swimmers were attacked by a great white shark off the coast of New Jersey. This prompted Benchley to write the novel “Jaws,” which was later adapted into a movie of the same name. But both the novel and movie portrayed great white sharks as being overly aggressive and even vengeful. In “Jaws,” the great white antagonist hunts specific people — a behavior that’s not truly exhibited by great whites or any other shark species. In the months and years following its release, “Jaws” essentially changed the way in which the public viewed sharks. No longer were sharks considered just another fish in the ocean; they were considered fierce beasts that stalked and hunted humans.
Can I Safely Dive With Sharks?
It’s perfectly fine, as well as safe, to dive with sharks — assuming you take a few basic safety precautions. As previously mentioned, shark attacks on humans are rare, with just 19 shark attacks occurring each year in the United States. With that said, shark attacks on humans can and do occur. Most attacks, however, are at least partly attributed to human neglect or error. By taking a few basic safety precautions, you can safely dive with sharks.
If you have a cut or other open wound, you should think twice before getting into the water. Sharks have an excellent sense of smell. Great white sharks, for example, can smell blood from up to three miles away. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be attacked by a shark if you’re bleeding. However, blood can certainly attract inquisitive sharks, some of which may approach you to see if you are food.
It’s a good idea to avoid diving in murky or otherwise cloudy waters with poor visibility. Some species of sharks, such as the bull shark, hunt for prey in conditions such as this. But if a shark can’t see you, it won’t know whether you are prey. The only way it will know is by biting you. While the shark will probably leave after its initial “test” bite, it’s still best to avoid this scenario by diving in clear waters with high visibility.
When preparing to dive with sharks, make sure that you aren’t wearing any jewelry. What’s wrong with jewelry exactly? Well, sharks — like many other fish — are attracted to shiny things in the water. Sharks hunt and eat a variety of shiny fish. If you’re wearing metal jewelry, such as a watch or ring, a passing shark may assume it’s a small fish.
If you happen to encounter a shark when diving, don’t try and touch it. Most sharks are docile and won’t perceive you a threat. Nonetheless, if a shark is startled or feels threatened, it may lash out when touched. Regardless of the species, don’t touch any sharks that you encounter when diving. Simply observe them from a safe distance while maintaining a heightened sense of awareness to your surroundings.
There’s also a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) course that’s designed to teach divers more about sharks and their behaviors. Known as the Project AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course, it’s available to all divers 12 years of age and older who’ve completed the Open Water Diver course. By enrolling in the Project AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course, you’ll learn more about the important role sharks play in marine ecosystems, the different behaviors exhibited by the different shark species, and even how to safely dive with sharks.
What About Cage Diving?
Some people prefer cage diving with sharks. Cage diving allows you to observe sharks while diving inside a metal cage. It’s a common practice that’s been around since the 1950s, during which French naval officer and explorer Jacques Cousteau created the world’s first shark cage. Since then, it’s become an increasingly popular way for divers to observe sharks in their natural habitat.
The downside to cage diving, however, is that it doesn’t offer the same level of freedom as open-water diving. When diving inside a cage, you won’t be able to move around. Therefore, you won’t have the same experience as you would with open-water diving. For the most authentic experience, you should stick with open-diving water. As long as you follow the tips outlined above, you’ll have a safe and enjoyable diving experience.
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