Cristina Zenato Instagram – Day 9 Question 9
It’s time we addressed the belief that stretching an arm in front of a coming shark, keeping the elbow locked and the body steady, will redirect the shark and provide the long-desired response to defend ourselves from any investigation when entering the water.
This complex topic begins with the fact that not all sharks are the same and don’t behave the same. What bothers me is that these teachings create misconceptions that heighten the perception that sharks will immediately approach us once we step into the water, necessitating constant deterrence and redirection.
These suggestions come from providing people with a “self-defense” technique should they encounter sharks.
Instead, we should analyze each situation and ask a series of questions: where we are in terms of location and then in the water column, what we are doing, which species live there, ask the locals about the situation, and then make an educated decision based on the information.
If a shark were to come in to investigate in a nontraditional interactive scenario, they would not come in at the lazy pace of sharks who are aware of what is happening. They would be coming in with a speed and swiftness that our in-water clumsy selves wouldn’t be able to manage. Chances are we would not see them.
It’s important to note that shark approaches are extremely rare. When we engage in interactive dives, it’s crucial to understand that different species require different responses. This knowledge can help dispel common misconceptions and reduce unnecessary fear.
There is no “one size fits all” scenario for the multitude of species and possible encounters.
The best way to understand sharks and their world is through controlled interactions. This involves working under the guidance of professionals who have experience with sharks. By creating specific, controlled scenarios, we can observe sharks up close, which is a rare opportunity in the wild.
Image of my group of divers on an organized shark dive to encounter Tiger Sharks and other species, Grand Bahama Island
@isotta_underwater_housings | Posted on 19/May/2024 17:04:13
