by L.S. Watts

Created on: August 05, 2009

With an estimated forty shark attacks each year in the United States, knowing what to do if you're attacked may just save your life. It is a scary thought to think about being attacked by a shark, but it can be even scarier if you don't know how to handle a shark attack.

Stay Calm

This is something that is easier said than done. Sharks are quite intimidating and panicking won't help your survival rate. Scrambling for the shore will just entice the shark more. The splashing and sudden moments gives the shark the idea that you are prey. Staying calm will also help you stay alert to its location as you begin to cautiously make it back to shore.

Don't Lose Sight of the Shark

Sharks tend to strike to wound their prey only to come back to finish the kill. Be aware of the location of the shark at all times. If you have been bitten, the blood in the water won't make the shark give up that easily. You won't be able to defend yourself if you don't know where the shark is. If you are diving, try putting your back against the reef. This allows you to monitor the area in front of you without worrying about an attack from behind.

Fight Back

Sharks are not bears. Don't think that playing dead will convince the shark to release you. You will need to fight back if you have any chance of survival. Hitting the shark on the snout has helped many people survive. Another suggestion is to attack its eyes or gills because these are the most painful spots for a shark. If you have a fishing spear, oar, or another hard object, don't hesitate to use it.

Breathe

Don't forget to breathe. The shark may take you underwater at some point so having a good breath of air will help you from drowning.

Never Give Up

Continue to fight. Never give in to the shark. The more you fight, the more likely the shark will release you and move on to easier prey.

Hug the Shark

Sounds odd, doesn't it? At the time of the attack you probably won't have a whole lot of love for this monstrous fish. Sharks will thrash their victim around violently in the water, tearing as much flesh as possible. To help keep as much flesh intact as possible, wrap your arms around the shark as tight as you can. The shark probably isn't going to like that and may just release you.

Get Out of the Water

Your ultimate goal is to get out of the water but doing so frantically won't help at all. It is suggested that you swim vertically to shore. The reason behind this is because sharks can't bite things that are vertical all that well. Their snouts tend to hinder an attack on a vertical prey.

Tourniquets

This is going to be an important part of your survival. Many surfers carry a surgical tube in the event of a shark attack. They could clamp off the blood flow in the water if need be. Regardless whether you are in the water or on the shore, you will need a tourniquet because bleeding to death is your primary concern at this point. If you don't have an official tourniquet, use a shirt to tie off the blood flow. There are several arteries in the leg and many times a shark attack results in the severing of the femoral artery which can cause you to bleed out in a matter of minutes.

All of these tips will help increase your chances of survival. However, the best way to survive a shark attack is to take preventive measures so that it minimizes your risk of an attack all together.

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