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People love the ocean for swimming, surfing and other water sports but one of the risks with activities in the sea is an unexpected encounter with a shark. Here are five suggestions to try if you encounter a shark in the water which could very well increase your chance of survival.

1. Try to leave the area as quickly as possible.

source: Flickr – yoppy

Sharks do not specifically target humans as prey but are just as likely to approach people with a sense of curiosity. People who find themselves in the water with a shark should try to flee the area as quickly as possible without stimulating the predator.

2. Try not to panic and do not make a splash in the water.

source: Flickr – coniferconifer

Sharks have a natural instinct to search and seek for movement in the water and splashing or unusual movements will attract them and stimulate their attack mechanism.

3. If you with other people, try to speak loudly to each other into the water.

source: Flickr – plaits

If you are unable to quickly flee from the shark in the water, you may need to consider using other techniques to try to fend off a pending shark attack. Sharks have poor eyesight and reacts to both sound and smell. Try to put your face into the water and yell as loudly as possible. A shark could very well be intimidated by the loud noises that you make in this way.

4. Try to attack and inflict pain on the eyes or nose of the shark.

source: Flickr – David Hurt

If the above suggestions have not been successful and you are face to face with a shark in the water then you may have to fend off an impending attack by trying to attack or inflict pain on the eyes or nose of the predator. The most sensitive area of a shark is the nose as there are an unusual number of nerves located there. Try to punch or kick the nose of the shark along with the eyes and the gills which are also sensitive areas. This could be a last resort to try to survive an attack.

5. Try to report a shark sighting or attack to a lifeguard as soon as possible.

source: Flickr – Mohannad Khatib

Once you have a close encounter with a shark, it is important to report it to a lifeguard or police as soon as possible so they can strive to protect other people who are in the water or at the beach. You can prevent a potential shark attack by conveying this information to the proper authorities.

This above article were remedies if you encounter a shark in the water but the best remedy is preventing a meeting with these ocean predators before you enter the water! Here are some preventative suggestions to avoid sharks before going in the water:

• Avoid the exposure of skin or wear anything which is shiny or reflective as this may attract a shark.

• Avoid swimming in early evenings or at night as this is a shark’s prime feeding time.

• Avoid throwing excrement into the water as sharks will react to the smell.

• Avoid bleeding in the water at any time as sharks can smell blood from up to one kilometer away.

source: Flickr – Elias Levy