BanditDJB

What do you do if it's time to surface, you've already done your safety stop, and there is a huge hammerhead, mako, or bull shark near the boat? I know you should remain calm but what are the proper actions to take? These sharks have been prominent were I've been diving. They occasionally pop up.

Scuba Mama

Don't bolt to the top and splash around. If you have enough air you don't have to surface because your 3 - 5 are up. If you low on air go up slowly, you should just because your diving. Try to keep a eye on the shark and move up to the boat and exit the water. If you bolt up the shark will investigate the movement.

I know some out here like true stories here are couple to show you sharks are not mindless blood driven, scuba diving eating machines.

A new diver of mine pinch his nose to hard and caused it to bleed, we were approximately 60 feet down. I had him clear his mask. Later back on board I asked him if he saw any sharks? He said, no, and asked why. I told him I had him clear his mask while blood was in it on the beginning of the dive. He did not realize it was blood because it was green.

Second case, a diver was setting to up with the group and when he moved his leg, he made a mistake a kicked the coral. He bleed almost the whole dive and we never saw a shark.

In your case the bull shark can became aggressive easy. Don't do things to bring attention to you and you may find they are cool the way they move in the water.

BanditDJB

Thanks Scuba Mama, I'll keep my cool and slowly exit the water. Hopfully I don't become dinner, but from what I hear that dosn't happen often. I guess we have to remember that we are in their home and I wouldn't want anybody partying in my living room...lol

Kingpatzer

First, remember that shark attacks, even from the "aggressive" species are extremely rare.

Swim easily and calmly to the boat and get in.

Sam2000

I've always found this quite strange.

Are sharks actually a hazard to divers? I've seen documentaries on the television of people swimming with black/white tip reef sharks or shortfin mako sharks and blue sharks. The sharks never seem that bothered about it.

Granted I've never encountered one, except dogfish...

Kingpatzer

No, they are not a serious threat to divers.

That doesn't mean I'd suggest messing with them without significant knowledge, 'cause if you tick on off, they can hurt you pretty badly.

Sam2000

Yeah thats true...I read an autobiography of a girl called Bethany, her surname was Dillan I think...But she's an Australian surf champion who got her arm chomped off by a great white...

But I guess thats because surf boards look like seals or something from the sharks point of view. Better bear that in mind if I ever go surfing somewhere other than Cornwall!

BanditDJB

Last time my wife and I dove she cut her hand on the wreck (probably should have worn gloves), But could that bring the sharks in and make them aggressive? It was just a small scrape and very little blood but could it have been a problem with the shark population?

glynneco

I like to chase after them. They usually just run. I typically watch and enjoy. Just do your thing and ignore them. Typically they are quite scittish. They are more like muggers then hunters. They are looking for an easy meal. They want to conserve energy. Remember you look pretty strange to them. Rather large. More like a predator, you make strange noises and those bubbles. Fish interpert them as a solid and part of you. Vitually all the attacks I've read about on divers involve spearfishing and the diver holding a string of dead and dying fish. Virtually the golden arches for a shark! You don't want to be between a shark and a meal he's decided to go for! You'll be fine in the water. Keep your head and go about your business. Besides they're doing amazing things with prosthetics these days!!!!

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