For Divers out there

[DonBateman]

What are the chances of coming into contact with sharks? I know the chances of being killed/attacked by a shark are extremely rare, but I feel like that stat is based off of the population as a whole and the vast majority of the population is not swimming in the oceans. I feel like the numbers are much higher if only looking at people that dive in oceans. I am interested in getting into diving but sharks freak me out. Just wondering.

[DHPSU]

Most likely you are going to encounter sharks if you go on a dive that specifically is looking for sharks or is known to see sharks. You can pick whatever dive experience you want, you just need to research accordingly.


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[Zakalwe]

Your question is impossible to answer accurately without knowing location and even then getting stats for wherever it is would be difficult.

The Aussies though are one of the most aquatic people in the world. All their major population centres are on the coast, their weather is generally great for being outside and they happen to possess some of the more shark infested waters in the world. In fact Bull Sharks are known to swim inland up rivers. They’ve had 500 shark attacks in 30 years all told, with 50-odd fatalities. I used to work in a Hospital near the Byron Bay/Lennox Head area, which is apparently the most dangerous stretch of coast in the country statistically, partly because so many people go there specifically to surf. That area averages one attack per year. So even in that part of the world, the risk of being attacked by a shark is minuscule, much less being killed.

In 2017 there were 88 attacks and five fatalities worldwide. To put that into context, 700 people die every year falling down the stairs in the U.K. alone.

Also bear in mind there are only 4 or 5 shark species that are capable of inflicting serious damage to a human being. Most of the things you’ll see on a dive like reef sharks, nurse sharks etc aren’t going to be interested in you. I’d be way, way more worried about being carried away by some random tide, accidentally drowning in some bizarre way or being struck by lightning in a freak thunderstorm at sea than sharks.

[Abdullah71601]

You’ll be lucky to see sharks on open circuit scuba. It’s a blessing when you can get close to them. People pay top dollar for shark dives. If you dont want to see sharks, tell your dive operator and they can make that happen in most locales.

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You’ll be lucky to see sharks on open circuit scuba. It’s a blessing when you can get close to them. People pay top dollar for shark dives. If you dont want to see sharks, tell your dive operator and they can make that happen in most locales.

This. It’s rare to see sharks most places and usually your breathing bubbles scare them off. Here is a pic of a Mako shark I took after the water was chummed for 2 hours and we waited until the sharks showed up before we got in the water. Only a few showed up and only stuck around about 20 minutes with 4 of us in the water.


Basically, sharks will avoid you unless you are splashing around on the surface or diving with bloody fish. Divers don’t look like any of their natural prey.


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[Cryten]

In around 15 years of diving I've only seen sharks a hand full of times. I've seen more sharks fishing. They really aren't a concern

[Letsgodiving]

Also, you are much less likely to be mistaken for food as a diver than you are as a swimmer or surfer which is the cause of the majority of bites.

[Burlington]

Been diving for many years now on and off. Only seen one shark in that time.

Not knowing what you will see underwater is definitely part of the excitement of diving.

[joeychitwood]

While diving in the Caribbean, I've frequently seen White Tipped and Black Tipped Reef Sharks as well as Nurse Sharks. They generally pose no danger. While diving in Chuuk, Micronesia, we encountered huge Bull Sharks which ignored us.

[Cesium137]

I’ve seen leopard sharks, which is the equivalent of catfish. Soupfin sharks, which are docile but a bit more impressive to see. That’s about it though, real sharks usually don’t want to be seen. They tend to keep their distance.

[superdog]

Never been diving.

Snorkel a lot tho.

Saw a shark once in Turks and Caicos. Recently. One of the best experiences in my life.

[returntorolex]

Keep your scuba trips to warm, clear water you have 150’+ visibility if you have fears. Soon you will come to be excited to witness these animals in the wild.

Enjoy!

[ltmgeller]

Research the waters you are going to dive first. I try to find sharks when I dive. It's not as easy as it sounds. It's all about location.

[Dawg2]

The last shark I saw SCUBA diving was at 115'. I came over a ledge and came face to face with a +10' shark. The shark dumped a load, and swam off so fast I wasn't even sure what kind it was.

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[crew]

A few years ago, before Hurricane Irma, I was snorkeling off of St. John in the USVI. I ran into this small shark. Not sure what kind of shark it was but he was very docile.

[Dawg2]

Originally Posted by crew

A few years ago, before Hurricane Irma, I was snorkeling off of St. John in the USVI. I ran into this small shark. Not sure what kind of shark it was but he was very docile.

Nurse shark. I have seen a lot of them. Harmless.

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[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Dawg2

Nurse shark. I have seen a lot of them. Harmless.

I've seen countless Nurse sharks lying on the sand in the Caribbean. They are harmless, but because they are easily approachable, idiots decide to pet them or otherwise irritate them. They have small mouth with many sharp teeth and if they get provoked, they will bite and hold on. I once saw a diver surface with a small Nurse shark still holding on to her arm. Once on the boat, they were able to get it to let go.

[Dawg2]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I've seen countless Nurse sharks lying on the sand in the Caribbean. They are harmless, but because they are easily approachable, idiots decide to pet them or otherwise irritate them. They have small mouth with many sharp teeth and if they get provoked, they will bite and hold on. I once saw a diver surface with a small Nurse shark still holding on to her arm. Once on the boat, they were able to get it to let go.

They are harmless. I am harmless and easily approachable too. If I get provoked, I have many teeth as well.

"Harmless" as in not a threat. You can provoke something harmless and change its status.

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[Burlington]

Originally Posted by crew

A few years ago, before Hurricane Irma, I was snorkeling off of St. John in the USVI. I ran into this small shark. Not sure what kind of shark it was but he was very docile.

I believe it’s a nurse shark.

[Dan Pierce]

Encountering a shark was on my mind before my first ocean dive. What would I do? Turns out not only was I not afraid but I was lured towards a 7’ reef shark my son spotted. Could wait to get as close as possible. Like most wild animals they would rather have nothing to do with humans.

A Great White? That’s a whole different story.
dP

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Encountering a shark was on my mind before my first ocean dive. What would I do? Turns out not only was I not afraid but I was lured towards a 7’ reef shark my son spotted. Could wait to get as close as possible. Like most wild animals they would rather have nothing to do with humans.

A Great White? That’s a whole different story.
dP

I saw a great white off the coast of Oman. It was about 20 meters deeper than us and didn't change course at all as it passed beneath us. We were near the end of our dive at 40 meters on air and couldn't go deeper to get a closer look. Would have been nice to get a couple pictures.

[DonBateman]

Awesome. I knew this was the place to ask that question. This makes me feel better. Next time I go to FL I am going to get into it. Mainly I want a hobby and I go to FL often so thought this might be fun. I’ll take some diving classes up north where I live (IL). I feel like diving would be much safer then surfing or swimming in the ocean, you can see your surroundings.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by DonBateman

Awesome. I knew this was the place to ask that question. This makes me feel better. Next time I go to FL I am going to get into it. Mainly I want a hobby and I go to FL often so thought this might be fun. I’ll take some diving classes up north where I live (IL). I feel like diving would be much safer then surfing or swimming in the ocean, you can see your surroundings.

Once you dive swimming feels like a bird that can flap it's wings but can’t fly.
dP

[DrProp]

I live on a tropical island in the Pacific surrounded by an abundance of sharks. I have personally been followed by sharks while standup paddle boarding and snorkeling, but I never felt threatened by their presence. They are naturally curious creatures and may approach you. The important consideration is the abundance of a food source, which exists here. For that reason, I feel easy around reef sharks. Tiger sharks a bit less due to their temperament.

[LandWatch]

To reassure you, any sharks you’re likely to encounter will be much more scared of you than you of them. I’ve dived with sharks in the Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef and the Philippines before, never once a problem. It’s a real privilege to see sharks on a dive!

[grabby]

Location is what matters. I see sharks multiple times a week diving, but they are common where I live. White tips, black tips, grey reefs, and nurse sharks are the most common I see, and every family member who's visited and seen them up close has been mesmerized. Honestly, when people first see sharks while diving their reaction is rarely complete panic, even if they have a real fear of sharks. I think you'll be fine and may find that you rather enjoy any encounters you end up being fortunate enough to have!

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by DonBateman

What are the chances of coming into contact with sharks? I know the chances of being killed/attacked by a shark are extremely rare, but I feel like that stat is based off of the population as a whole and the vast majority of the population is not swimming in the oceans. I feel like the numbers are much higher if only looking at people that dive in oceans. I am interested in getting into diving but sharks freak me out. Just wondering.

Fact: mosquitoes kill way more people than sharks. I’m fact they may be the number 1 animal/insect killer.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Fact: mosquitoes kill way more people than sharks. I’m fact they may be the number 1 animal/insect killer.

Pretty sure the diseases kill you, not the mosquitoes.

And, mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere except extreme deserts. Which means billions of humans are readily exposed multiple times a day. Local sanitation infrastructure makes a huge difference in the public health aspect of mosquito born disease.

Whereas, comparatively, not that many people actually get in the ocean where the sharks are. Especially big aggressive sharks that bite. It's a false comparison.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Pretty sure the diseases kill you, not the mosquitoes.

And, mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere except extreme deserts. Which means billions of humans are readily exposed multiple times a day. Local sanitation infrastructure makes a huge difference in the public health aspect of mosquito born disease.

Whereas, comparatively, not that many people actually get in the ocean where the sharks are. Especially big aggressive sharks that bite. It's a false comparison.

No it’s a fair comparison. Reality is millions are in the ocean every year and very few fatalities. We tend to fear things we shouldn’t due to lack of perspective.


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[Dawg2]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Pretty sure the diseases kill you, not the mosquitoes.

And, mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere except extreme deserts. Which means billions of humans are readily exposed multiple times a day. Local sanitation infrastructure makes a huge difference in the public health aspect of mosquito born disease.

Whereas, comparatively, not that many people actually get in the ocean where the sharks are. Especially big aggressive sharks that bite. It's a false comparison.

Sharks are in oceans. There are very few places in the ocean that people get into that do not have sharks.