How to reduce your risk of being bitten – NBC 6 South Florida

After a series of shark attacks in Florida, beachgoers may be wondering how best to respond if a shark is nearby.

The most recent incident occurred in late June on the northeast coast of the state, when a man in Nassau County suffered life-threatening injuries from a shark bite to his right forearm.

At the beginning of June, the waters off Walton County in northwest Florida were also closed after two consecutive shark bite incidents occurred within a few kilometers of each other.

Two girls from Alabama were swimming at Rosemary Beach when they were attacked by a shark. One of the teenagers was seriously injured. Just a few hours earlier, a woman was attacked about four miles away.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, the Sunshine State recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. in 2023, with 16 confirmed cases.

NBC6 reached out to a shark expert at Nova Southeastern University to learn behaviors that can reduce the risk of a shark bite.

Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and the Guy Harvey Research Institute.

Although there is no guarantee that you can avoid a shark bite, Dr. Shivji offered some recommendations for common sense behavior to reduce the risk of a bite. He also pointed to the International Shark Attack File for other useful tips.

What should you do if you see a shark?

The best thing to do is to move slowly to the shore and get out of the water, said Dr. Shivji.

He pointed out that one should remain as calm as possible and avoid splashing water.

What should you never do if you see a shark?

Dr. Shivji explained that swimmers should never attempt to touch a shark, pull on its tail or harass it in any way.

He reiterated that swimmers should never splash as this could attract sharks. This is because wriggling fish – the natural prey of sharks – cause similar splashes.

According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), sharks can also hear the low-frequency sounds of splashing and may investigate whether a fish is in distress.

Are there certain things you shouldn’t wear in the water?

“The general advice is not to wear shiny, reflective items – like jewelry – in the sea,” explained Dr. Shivji. “The logic behind this is that fish scales also reflect light and it is possible that a shark could be attracted to it.”

He also said that it is important to remember that sharks do not specifically target humans and that humans are swimming in shark habitat, so it is important to always be aware of your surroundings in the ocean.

ISAF also recommends avoiding uneven tanning as well as bright colours and high-contrast clothing, as sharks can detect contrasts particularly well.

Are there any signs that could indicate the presence of a shark?

“It’s always a really bad idea to swim where people are fishing and there is bait in the water,” Dr Shivji said. “If you are in a school of small bait fish – the natural prey of sharks – move away from that area because schools of fish can attract sharks as that is where their food is concentrated.”

ISAF recommends caution in areas between sandbanks or near steep slopes, as sharks are often found there.

What should you do if someone is attacked by a shark?

Although some would like to jump in to help, Dr. Shivji advises against going into the water.

Instead, call for professional help, such as a lifeguard.

More security tips from ISAF

Always stay close to a companion, as sharks are more likely to approach a single animal. Also, don’t stray too far from the shore.

Avoid being in the water during low-light conditions, such as at dawn or dusk, and at night when many sharks are most active and foraging.

There is no evidence that sharks are attracted to the smell of human blood, but it may be advisable to avoid the water if an open wound is bleeding.