Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

5 Tips for How to Survive a Shark Attack

David Duran
By

Most of us subconsciously think about sharks each time we are in the ocean, but around later summer when the Discovery Channel rolls out its annual Shark Week programming, the world is once again reminded about the dangers and non-dangers of the apex predators who can ultimately destroy us with one or two bites. At the end of the day, you are swimming in their home — a shark attack should never truly be blamed on a shark because they are just going to do what a shark does in the ocean. The actual chances of a shark attack are rare, although they do happen, so it’s best to have some basic knowledge of what to do in case you are faced with a one-on-one encounter.

Maintain Your Calm

Easier said than done, right? For most, just being in open water alone can be a bit nerve-wracking. Now imagine encountering a shark and trying not to panic. It’s not easy, but it can help save your life. If you encounter a shark, your first instinct will be to swim away immediately. Resist your urge because the further you are from the shark, the more likely you are to get bitten. Panicking will put the shark in predatory mode. Just because you are sharing the same space with a shark doesn’t mean that you are automatically on the dinner menu. Most sharks are just curious, so try and remember that in the moment and do your best to maintain calm.

Recommended Videos

Look the Shark Directly in The Eye

Like man’s best friend, sharks respect assertiveness. Without being aggressive — and while maintaining your calm — keep your eyes on it and show the shark that you’re a predator as well. If the shark gets close to you, push it away. The last thing you want to do is start a fight with a shark but showing them that you are not docile can be your best last-ditch effort.

great white shark
Allan Davey/Getty Images

If the Shark Attacks, Fight Back

The unfortunate reality is that if a shark decides to attack, you won’t have much say in the matter. A shark might even just take a test bite first, which can cause serious injury. And if it becomes a full-bore attack, your chances are slim, so doing something is better than nothing. If this is the case, now is the time that you want to go wild and start punching however you can. Go for the eyes, nose, and gills, or just swing and hit whatever you can.

Related

If Your Arm is Attacked, Keep It Over Your Head

A shark might take a bite and then decide that they have lost interest. If you are fortunate and this is the case, swim as fast as you can to safety while raising your wounded arm above your heart. By doing so, you will stem the bleeding.

If Bitten, Avoid Looking At The Wound

The wounds that these animals can inflict can be devastating. By not looking at your wound, you can attempt to avoid going into shock. Think about a little kid scraping their knee. They typically don’t start crying until they see the blood. You will know that something is wrong but do your best to get yourself to safety before assessing the damage.

If you’re on land, brush up on our tips for navigating bear and mountain lion encounters.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
David Duran
David Duran
David Duran is an award-winning travel writer who has visited all seven continents and more than 70 countries. His writing…
Everyone Needs To Know How To Hang a Bear Bag, Including You
how to hang a bear bag

Do you like peanut butter? How about instant oatmeal or trail mix -- or at least the M&M's you pick out from the overstuffed trail mix bag? Well, so does every mountain critter, from a cute little squirrel to a big ol' Grizzly. If you're heading into the backcountry and know you'll be in bear territory, it's time to learn how to hang a bear bag. Although it sounds like a basic, self-explanatory task, there is a right way and a wrong way to store your food.

Take note that bear bags are typically only needed in backcountry situations. Most road-accessible or well-maintained campsites have bear boxes for food, negating the need to provide your own storage gear.
Bear Bag Checklist
Let's start out with a material list. The following are items you will want to add to your backpack packing list:

Read more
How to Gather Firewood Responsibly While Camping
fire firewood camping wood

The warm weather outdoor season is finally upon us. Despite COVID-19 shutting down just about everything, camping, hiking, and escaping into nature are all on the shortlist of things we can still enjoy right now. Whether planning a weekend state park escape or a multi-day backpacking excursion into the wild, we should all strive to be good stewards of the earth. One of the simplest ways for campers to do just that is to gather their firewood responsibly before building a fire.
Check Local Campfire Regulations
It’s easy to assume that, because you’re in a remote area, campfires must be fair game. Long before you start gathering firewood, check the local regulations to see what’s allowed. In some regions, particularly those susceptible to extreme wildfires, the rules may change daily. Wind, humidity, local lightning storms, and a host of other factors come into play. Once you know where you’ll be making camp, check with the agency (e.g., National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, etc.) that manages that land. They can tell you whether campfires are currently allowed in that area. Even if fires are permitted, check that it’s legal to gather wood and split it directly around your campsite.

Shop Local
Invasive species are a threat to wilderness areas throughout the world. It’s tempting to bring firewood from home to your campsite, but this can threaten local ecosystems. Although it’s more expensive, the best option for “gathering” firewood is to buy it locally. The closer it’s purchased to your campsite, the better, whether that’s at the campground itself or a nearby convenience store.
Deader Is Better
Perhaps the most essential rule of gathering firewood responsibly is never to strip live trees. It’s bad for the environment, and it’s not sustainable. Imagine if every camper to that area -- dozens, even hundreds throughout a season -- pulled their firewood from the trees closest to their campsite. But, even from a selfish perspective, fresh, green wood is not going to burn well. Repeat after me: “Deader is better.” If it snaps easily under your boot, it’s ready to burn.
But Let Dead Logs Lie
Dead logs might look like great fire-stoking material, but there are two reasons to leave them be. The first is that they make great homes and hiding spots for smaller wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and insects. They’re a vital part of any ecosystem. Second, the oldest logs are often damp or soaked completely through, so they make for terrible campfire wood.

Read more
How to Remove a Tick: A Simple Guide to Safely Getting Rid of Ticks
tick leaf

For even avid outdoorsmen, dangerous wildlife encounters are exceedingly rare. Most apex predators from bears to sharks to mountain lions tend to keep to themselves. It’s the smaller critters that are often of most concern. That includes everything from ants to spiders to ticks. Bites from the last of these are among the most common. Unfortunately, they also have the highest potential for health risks and even death from complications. Here’s a step-by-step guide for avoiding and safely removing ticks.
How to Avoid Getting a Tick Bite
If you’ve spent any significant time outdoors, knowing how to avoid ticks and tick bites is probably second nature. The most obvious way to avoid an encounter is to stay away from areas where they’re likely to be hiding. Tall grass, dense brush, and fallen logs and branches are all prime grounds for ticks. Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pant legs into socks when heading out on a hike or in any of these areas.

The most proactive way to avoid ticks is to repel them by wearing bug repellent on your skin. If you prefer the all-natural route, lemon eucalyptus oil is the most proven and effective chemical-free option. Nothing works better, however, than DEET. Wearing a chemical repellent that’s at least 80% DEET— something like Sawyer Jungle Juice 100 is best — is almost guaranteed to keep mosquitoes, leeches, chiggers, in-laws, dogs, babies, and ticks away. If you spend significant time outdoors, consider doubling up on the repellent by treating clothing with a spray-on permethrin treatment.

Read more