What to do if you come across a shark while swimming?
Posted July 25, 2023 by: Admin
Marine biologist Matthieu Lapinski suggests we look at our encounters with sharks in a different light. Instead of succumbing to fear, he suggests we be thankful for such moments. Recently, shark fins have been spotted near beaches in Catalonia, Florida and even France, causing panic. However, Matthieu Lapinski describes the event as “incredible” and stresses its rarity.
In a video, the biologist gives invaluable advice on what to do when faced with a shark. He warns against panicking and fleeing in distress, both in the water and on the beach. Instead, he advises calmly alerting lifeguards if a shark is close to shore, and calmly getting out of the water. It is essential not to disturb the animal, as it may be ill or injured and react defensively.
Lapinski invites holidaymakers to take advantage of this “rare and exceptional” moment. He recalls that some people spend considerable sums of money and travel long distances to witness this marine megafauna. By appreciating the encounter and respecting the natural environment, we can make the most of this extraordinary experience.
What to do if you come face to face with a shark?
– Stay calm
The first thing to do is to stay calm and avoid panicking. Don’t try to run away or make any noise, as you risk looking like prey and piquing the shark’s curiosity.
– Make eye contact
If you do attract the shark’s attention, it’s essential never to turn your back. On the contrary, maintain eye contact with the animal. Sharks are naturally curious, and if they think you haven’t noticed them, they may continue to approach. In reality, most encounters with sharks are not real attacks, but exploratory bites. Once the shark starts to move away, you can slowly make your way back to shore.
– Keep a safe distance
In the rare event that eye contact isn’t enough and the shark closes in on you, try to keep some distance between you and the animal. To do this, use your camera, snorkel or mask as a barrier between you and the shark. This will help the shark understand that you are not potential prey. Contrary to popular belief, trying to hit or push the shark is a myth. Striking the snout or gills is mostly a legend, and extremely difficult to do effectively.
– Avoid rough waters
Sharks are wild animals and their reactions can be unpredictable. To prevent such encounters, it’s best to take precautions and avoid putting yourself in potentially risky situations.
In regions with a high concentration of sharks, such as Florida, swimming in rough waters is strongly discouraged. The lack of visibility in these conditions can lead a shark to mistake a human being for prey, particularly at sunrise or sunset. While the probability of encountering a shark is minimal, it’s worth noting that sharks cause far fewer human deaths each year than cows or dogs.
