There are divers who love sharks, who intentionally jump into shark filled waters to interact with these toothy denizens of the deep; and there are divers who would rather avoid any Jaws-like encounters at all costs. Whichever camp you prefer, no one wants to have their close encounter turn into a trip to the ER, or have Mr. Mako sneak up on them unexpectedly. So how can you safely swim with sharks?
Know the locals
The foremost way to avoid an unexpected shark encounter is to know the area into which you are diving. Is it known for shark activity and, if so, what kind? Read up on the varieties of sharks and their behavior. Running into a nurse, whitetip reef shark, or even a whale shark is a wholly different experience than bumping into a bull shark. Never harass or agitate a shark. Like any animal, a shark will exhibit posturing behaviors to let you know it feels threatened. Get to know the warning signs and how to handle them.
Shark repellent gear
It has long been thought that wearing a wetsuit that is color blocked or striped rather than solid black, would help you appear less edible. Zebra striped wetsuits mimic the color patterns of the deadly banded sea snake, something sharks will avoid taking a nibble of. Striped decals for the bottom of surfboards are also available.
There are electromagnetic bands divers and swimmers can wear that reportedly disrupt a shark’s internal electroreceptors. If a shark approaches to try and figure out if you’re food or not, the magnetic field of the bracelet will, in theory, turn them away. Other wearable devices emit a sonic pulse that keeps sharks at bay.
What the pros use
Professional film makers and researchers who frequently dive into the center of shark filled waters use more complex protections. Shark cages have long been used by scientists in order to gather information or tag their subjects. There are “wearable” cages that allow a diver to walk across the ocean bottom, as well as the standard suspended cages.
There are also chain maille suits like Shark Armor, invented by marine biologist Jeremiah Sullivan. A fine mesh of interlocking rings, these suits prevent teeth from penetrating skin much in the way medieval chain maille protected a knight from a sword. Professional divers can wear as little as a Shark Armor glove to a full head-to-toe suit depending on their needs.
There are ways to stay safe among the sharks, knowledge and awareness being key. Be especially mindful in low visibility situations and always be aware of your surroundings. Sighting a shark can be an awe-inspiring tale you’ll want to share for a lifetime.
