Survivng Shark Attacks Unpredictable, deadly, silent and almost always curious, sharks are a constant reminder why we must respect the ocean environs, and why we must be aware of the dangers of shark attack and what we can do to avoid or survive them. The first rule is basic: any time you are in waist-deep ocean waters you are in shark country. Sharks rarely attack people, but a few simple precautions can help you reduce the risk. According to the U.S. National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), when in shark waters but no shark is in sight, look out for fins. If you see one fin cutting through the water, that is likely to be a dolphin. Two fins - one behind the other — are more likely to be a shark, with its back and tail fins above the surface. Other NPCA Facts: About half the world's 350 shark species grow only to 3 feet long or less and more than 80 percent fall short of 6 feet. Sponsored Links Shark AttackGet Breaking News, Top Stories, & Headlines on Your Desktop Free!www.Starware.com/News UnderwaterTimes.comGot the latest shark attack news? Daily news of the world underwaterwww.underwatertimes.com Fin Repeater AntennaCell Phone Accessories - Universal Free 1st Class Shippingwww.WirelessEmporium.com Only 4 percent exceed 12 feet, and three of those species feed on plankton. The largest shark is the whale shark, a harmless giant that can exceed 40 feet (some unsubstantiated reports say 60 feet) and eats plankton and fish. The smallest is the pygmy ribbontail catshark, which grows to be less than a foot long. In an average year, fewer than 100 people worldwide are attacked by sharks. Less than a third of these victims die. In 2000, there were 79 reported shark attacks worldwide, and 10 of these victims died. The average North American is about 15,000 times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident than in a shark attack. The most dangerous shark is arguably the great white, a large, aggressive predator. The second-most dangerous in U.S. waters is likely the bull shark, a large (up to 12 feet), aggressive animal that is the only shark species to regularly enter fresh water, traveling up the Mississippi River as far as the Ohio River. A third dangerous species is the tiger shark, which can grow to 20 feet. Tiger sharks sometimes eat people, whereas other species seem to attack humans primarily when mistaking them for typical prey, Fishermen catching sharks are the most frequent victims of shark bite. Divers who swim too close or try to ride sharks are the next most frequently attacked group. What can you do to avoid or survive a shark attack? Facts To Help You Survive Shark Attacks: Avoid attracting sharks! Don't carry dead fish when swimming or diving. Don't swim at night, early in the morning, or early in the evening. These are the times when sharks are hunting. Stay out of murky water. Don't wear contrasting colors or flashing objects. Avoid wading or swimming in offshore sloughs or channels, such as might occur between sandbars, and in waters that drop off steeply to greater depths. Never molest a shark of any kind, regardless of size. If you spot a shark in the water: Stay calm, as sudden movements may attract a shark. Swim calmly and rhythmically back to land or boat. Keep the shark in sight, particularly if you are swimming underwater. In most shark attacks, the victim didn't see the shark. Sponsored Links Boat and Sailing ShoesHuge Selection of Boat Shoes Free Shipping & Returns, Buy Today!www.Zappos.com Rugged Shark FootwearHigh Performance and Comfort Great Prices & Selection. Free Shipwww.PlanetShoes.com/RuggedShark Rugged Shark at ShoebuyFree Shipping. No Tax. All Sizes. Plus Free Returns & Great Savings.www.shoebuy.com Sharks seem to shy away from people who look directly at them. If all else fails, try to look prepared to fight back. Generally speaking, though there have been many valid reports of successful encounters with angry sharks by victims who violently fought back, this is not a recommended action unless need dictates such a last resort. Divers have reported striking sharks in the nose as they pass to frighten the creature away. But angering any beast is usually not a good idea, and a rapid strike by most any shark is far too fast for human reflexes to respond in enough time to strike back or defend. Become familiar with the rules listed above and let common sense guide you as you adventure and enjoy the beaches and oceans of the world. Material used in this report comes, in part, from the U.S. National Parks and Conservation Association web site.