How to avoid a shark attack

There’s one sure way of avoiding a shark attack. Stay out of the water. But, if you are so desperate to see the toothy predators, take an organised shark diving trip.

As it’s Shark Week, it seems appropriate that Accuweather.com has come up with top tips to avoid a shark attack while, disturbingly, reminding us that incidents are on the increase.

It’s all due to human and seal population increases, shark migration and warming temperatures. Accuweather.com says that since the infamous shark attacks at the New Jersey shore that killed four people in July 1916 – which inspired Steven Spielberg to make Jaws – the shark population has been declining due to overfishing.

Yet, George H. Burgess of the Shark Attack File at Florida Museum of Natural History, says: “Each decade shark attacks have increased simply because the human population has grown.”

You are though, still more likely to die from a tornado, being struck by lightning or attacked by a dog. But shark bites are a different story.

Florida is known as the “Shark-bite capital of the world,” where about 25 people are bitten each year. And surfers are targets because they splash their hands and feet make while paddling. Sharks mistake them as movements by their normal prey including fish, sea turtles, sea lions and seals. Once they bite and realise their mistake, they usually back away, classifying most bites as “hit and runs,” according to Burgess.

The top four beaches on the East coast with the highest risk of being bitten by a shark include New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach and Cape Hatteras.

So how do you avoid being attacked?

1. Stay out of the water between sunset and sunrise.
2. Stay in a group and do not wander too far from shore.
3. Avoid wearing shiny jewellery, the reflected light resembles fish scales.
4. Avoid brightly coloured or patterned clothing, as sharks can see contrast well.
5. Do not enter waters being used by sport or commercial fisherman.
6. Avoid entering waters with sewage output and/or entering the water if you are bleeding.

YourHols has another idea… take a luxury holiday with One&Only Cape Town to get your underwater predator fix. They’ve launched a new series of Close Encounter Experiences with world-renowned Great White Shark expert Chris Fallows.

Owner of ocean encounters company APEX Predators, Chris shares his wealth of knowledge with his guests during fascinating cage dives, photographic safaris and boat-based sightings of sharks, whales, seals and birdlife. Carrier (www.carrier.co.uk) is offering seven nights for a family of four in a Marina Harbour Double Queen room, including breakfast, from £5,790 per family, including flights with Virgin Atlantic from London and private transfers, departing on August 28.