Risk Factors Associated With Shark Attack

Shark attacks are infrequent but can result in serious injury or death. Certain risk factors may affect the chances of an attack.

Risk Enhancing Behavior	Action to Reduce Risk
swimming alone	swimming in a group
swimming with a bleeding wound or when menstruating	avoiding swimming until bleeding has resolved
wearing bright colored clothing or jewelry	wearing dark colors without ornament
swimming in an area with sport or commercial fishermen	avoid swimming in an area where chum is present or fish predation is in evidence
swimming at night or at twilight (you are unable to see an approaching shark that can detect you)	swim during the day
swimming in murky waters	swim in clear water
swimming between sandbars or near a steep dropoff	avoid these areas when possible, and use extra caution when in these zones
splashing water or making sudden movements	swim slowly
using a surf board, with hands or feet dangling in the water	avoid using a surf board in shark-infested waters
harassing a shark	treating with respect

Behavior of a shark associated with an impending attack:

(1) swimming with exaggerated motions or change in behavior

(2) pectoral fins (located anteroinferior) directed down rather than flared out laterally

(3) swimming in circles of decreasing radius about the intended target

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