At the American Red Cross, we promote preparedness in all situations! Now, although we don’t have sharks here in WNY, people do travel! And since Discovery Channel is celebrating Shark Week, we thought this would be a great time to highlight some of their tips on how to prevent a shark attack!
 |
| Photo courtesy of screenfiend.com |
20. Steer clear of dolphins and seabirds. They may not only attract sharks, but also often seek the same prey.
19. Skip swimming after heavy rains, which may move some freshwater fish, including sharks, into areas they would not otherwise frequent.
18. Sharks sometimes get stuck in lagoons and small bays during low tide, so be careful when swimming in such areas at these times.
17. Avoid diving from boats but, if you must, refrain from doing so at night and be sure to carefully scan the surrounding water beforehand.
16. Some sharks are very small and resemble tropical fish. Avoid touching fish around you, as you could find your hand in a tiny, yet well-toothed, mouth.
15. Pay attention to fish swimming patterns. If fish start to school or dart away, chances are a shark or other potential predator is nearby.
14. Fishing boats and anglers from shore can attract sharks looking for an easy seafood meal, so refrain from swimming near them.
13. The splash of a dog paddling is like a dinner bell for sharks.Do not take your pet with you in waters where there is even a remote chance of encountering a shark.
12. Splashing and other erratic movements signal distress and can alert sharks to your presence. Try to keep strokes and kicks smooth and even.
11. Got an uneven tan? Avoid swimming in open water because skin color contrasts seem to attract sharks, resembling color variations found on fish.
10. Brightly colored swimwear, colorful surfboards and shiny jewelry mimic natural fish bling, so save your flashy gear for terrestrial pursuits.
9. Mouths of rivers, channels, deep drops and areas between sandbars tend to attract sharks. Skip swimming in these places, as well as far from shore.
8. Avoid swimming in dirty, murky water. It can impair your field of vision and that of sharks, too, increasing the chances of an encounter.
7. If you have a bleeding cut, an exposed wound or are a menstruating woman, do not swim in open water. Blood and human waste attract sharks.
6. Sharks are creatures of habit. Do not swim in areas where a shark attack has recently occurred, since the same shark, or others, may still frequent the spot.
5. Try to swim on sunny, clear days. Foggy mornings and dusk may cause a shark to confuse you with prey.
4. Don't swim in waters known to be frequented by sharks. Consult with lifeguards and other authorities for more specific regional information.
3. Swim in a group or at least be sure to have a partner with you. Stay alert as to what is going on in the surrounding water environment.
2. Avoid looking like a seal. Reclining on a surfboard and wearing a wetsuit and fins can give you a seal's silhouette from a shark's perspective below.
1. Think like a shark. If you see lots of fish or seals, chances are that sharks could be around and could confuse you with dinner.
For more information about how to prevent a shark attack, visit discovery channel online!
For more information about getting prepared for emergencies that we have here in WNY, visit us online!
No comments:
Post a Comment