Going south for winter? Avoid sharks with these tips

Dick Martin

February through March are often Ohio's worst winter months, which is doubtless why so many of us head south during these months seeking sun, sand and blue water. But some would-be swimmers might be a little nervous about getting wet, because sharks have been much in the news over the past year due to attacks on swimmers and surfers. Re-runs of movies like  "Jaws" and TV's Shark Week don't help, either.

Shark fin above ocean water

You might wonder where shark attacks are most likely to occur, and the answer is Florida. There were over 300 shark attacks there between 2004 and 2014 according to the International Shark Attack File. And the worst of the worst area, according to George H. Burgess, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History, is south of Daytona Beach and particularly around New Smyrna Beach. The major attackers there are bull and blacktip sharks.

Other at least moderately dangerous places are Hawaii which saw 10 attacks last year, seven in 2014, and 13 in 2013. Tiger sharks caused most of the problems around the islands. In California there were 17 attacks between 2010 and 2014, most by great white sharks and they happened primarily between San Francisco and Monteray according to Google.

So, what are your chances of being bitten or even eaten by a shark? Almost non-existent. Last year about 20 million people went swimming in salt water around the country, and very few had a shark encounter. Your chances of being hit by lightning are much better or dying of bee stings. But you can cut those odds down even further by keeping a few basic facts in mind.

According to statistics and such authorities as the official Shark Attack File, the pattern that is most consistent is a relationship between fishing and shark attacks. Sharks feed heavily on fish, and their excellent senses are well attuned to vibrations from struggling fish, fish blood in the water, and flashes of silver.

According to that file, 95 victims were fighting hooked fish when attacked, 62 were netting fish, and a further 44 were near netters. At least 190 more were spear fishing, and another 107 were bitten when spear fishermen were nearby. The obvious moral here is to keep away from such activities, and stay far down beach from fishing piers.

Wearing bathing suits that aren't flashy and bright is wise too, with blue and green being best and bright yellow and orange the worst. Avoiding deep water can also help, because while sharks will come right into the surf and often do, they have a preference for greater depths when loafing or cruising. And don't swim at night. Studies indicate that many species come into very shallow water, even canals and up rivers after dark to search for food. Anyone skinny dipping then is asking for it.

Always avoid murky or muddy water because sharks can't see you well, and a flashing white arm can be mistaken for a fish.  The same holds true for bright jewelry, which can trigger a bite before the shark knows he's made a mistake.

Swimming with cuts or other injuries is always dangerous, and swimming near floating objects or using surf boards, inner tubes, and other floating devices is chancy. Sharks just can't resist investigating floating things as more than one surfer has found to his dismay.

Finally, do your best to swim smoothly and easily instead of fast and splashy. Women swim that way without trying, while men tend to chop the water and splash. That's why about eight out of 10 shark attacks on swimmers are against men.

Keep the above facts in mind and follow them, but then go ahead and swim to your hearts content. I've swam plenty in salt water, gone snorkeling while sharks were close at hand, and had some magic hours in beautiful coral reefs. Don't miss the fun because you're worried about sharks. Getting bit just isn't likely to happen.
