What To Do If A Shark Attacks Your Kayak?

When fishing in the ocean, it is possible to accidentally reel in a shark. It is important to remove the shark safely to minimize harm to the animal. If the shark is small, use a dehooking tool to remove the hook. If the shark is larger, cut the line and leave the kayak.

If you spot a Great White shark or any other shark, it is crucial to stay calm and avoid frantically paddling away. Splashing your paddle could make you avoid swimming, diving, or fishing near the shoreline. If you do see a shark, paddle away from the shark as quickly as possible.

Sharks are ambush predators, so it is crucial to keep a close watch on them and maintain eye contact if a shark bumps into your kayak. Paddle slowly back to shore while keeping an eye on the shark, and avoid splashing or creating unnecessary movements. If a shark becomes aggressive, do not play dead.

To stay shark-safe, practice these precautions: avoid blood in the water and slicks from fishing boats. Keep away from cloudy river mouths and suspect waters at. If blood from gaffing or iki-ing fish ends up on your kayak, wash it off as quickly as possible. Be aware that the vibrations given off by fighting fish travel.

To kill a shark with your bare hands, pick a shark you can lift, lure it to shallow water, and pull it out. Paddle away calmly, as frantic paddling and splashing will attract a shark and they may approach to try and investigate. Poke its eyes and hit its nose. After the attack, swim smoothly and quickly to shore. If the shark attacks, head to shore and call 911 immediately to seek emergency medical assistance.

In summary, if you are thrown from your kayak, do not panic. Swim calmly away from the kayak and to the closest way out of the water. Remember to stay safe and prepared when kayaking in the ocean.

How do you deflect a shark attack?

Punching the shark in its nose or poking it in its eyes are advised; however, Werneth notes it’s important you don’t swing “anywhere near the teeth line” since they are razor sharp. “People have hit the shark in the mouth and gotten cut on the hand,” he says.

Werneth also says to “punch them in the gills” if the shark is attacking you. This will irritate their breathing, and hopefully cause them to release and swim away.

Now if you’re bit and “still got the fight in you,” Werneth says “to put direct pressure on the bleeding, get out of the water, put a tourniquet on it and call 911” if a lifeguard isn’t already on the scene. “Get EMS rolling or get to the hospital as soon as possible.”

He continues, “Your biggest concern is having an artery ruptured or bleeding out. So, you want to get direct pressure or tourniquet on above the wound.”

What to do if a shark is circling you?

• Do Not Splash and Remain Calm: Sharks are typically not interested in humans as a food source, and attacks are usually a result of mistaken identity or defensive behavior. Staying calm can help you think clearly and make rational decisions. A calm demeanor can also communicate to the shark that you are not prey. There are several breathing techniques that can aid in keeping calm. One effective technique is to focus on taking a deep inhale through the nose while counting “one,” exhaling slowly through the mouth while counting “two,” and then repeating the exercise. Deep breaths should help slow your heart rate and provide you with sufficient oxygen to make intelligent decisions, like wading gently away from the shark rather than thrashing around or otherwise attracting a shark’s attention.
• Make Eye Contact: If you can, maintain eye contact with the shark as it approaches to help signal strength. Sharks often attack from behind, so keeping the shark in your line of sight can help deter it from attacking. Remember that several sharks may be present, so once you make firm eye contact with the shark, be sure to check your surroundings for other threats.
• Slowly Distance Yourself: If the shark is swimming towards you, slowly and calmly move away from it without turning your back. Try to keep a distance of at least 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) between you and the shark. If you have fins, face the shark and put your fins between you and the shark as protection as you calmly swim away. Do not flail your arms and legs, and do not create surface splashes.
• Get Out of the Water: If possible, leave the water as soon as you see a shark. Remember that some sharks can attack in surprisingly shallow waters, so as soon as you are alerted to the threat of a shark, seek dry land immediately. Be purposeful and act with intent.
• Alert Others: Alert others about the presence of the shark and call for help. Remember that sharks are less likely to attack you if you are in a group than if you are alone.

If you are attacked by a shark, it is important to know that by defending yourself and quickly getting to safety, you have a high likelihood of surviving. Of the 57 unprovoked shark attacks in 2022, only five of them were fatal. Here are some guidelines to follow if you are attacked by a shark:

• Defend Yourself: You remained calm when you initially spotted the shark, but now that the shark has made a move to bite, take action. Sharks can often be deterred before biting by firmly pushing the snout of the animal up and away. This is much easier when diving, and may not be possible when surfing or swimming. If you do not have the proper angle to push the snout, use your fists and any available objects to defend yourself. Aim for the shark’s eyes, nose, or gills, as these are their most sensitive areas. When striking the nose, be wary of missing too low and exposing your hand to the mouth of the shark.
• Get Help: If possible, signal for help or call for assistance as soon as you can. Try to stay afloat and keep your head above water. Remember to keep an eye on the shark to defend against repeated aggression.
• Apply Pressure to Wounds: If you are bleeding, apply pressure to the wound as soon as possible. This can help slow down the bleeding and reduce the risk of shock. If blood continues to pulsate from the wound, be prepared to use items at your disposal, such as a surfboard leash or the contents of a first aid kit, to apply a tourniquet.
• Seek Medical Attention: Once you are safely out of the water, seek medical attention immediately. Shark bites can cause serious injuries, including deep wounds, broken bones, infection, and internal injuries.
• Cooperate with Rescuers: When rescue personnel arrives, you should fully cooperate with them and follow their instructions. They will have the training and equipment necessary to best care for the injured person.

Can sharks detect fear?

There is no scientific evidence that sharks can smell fear in humans or any other animal. However, when near sharks in the water, it is wise that you do not panic as sharks can detect the heartbeat of their prey.

What do I do if a shark is chasing me?

Get out of the water.If a boat is nearby, call out calmly, but loudly, for them to come to you. Stay as still as possible while waiting, as long as the shark is not actively attacking you; and get into the boat as quickly as possible, once the boat reaches you.If you are near shore, swim quickly, but smoothly.

Sharks rarely attack, but when they do, severe and sometimes fatal injuries commonly result. Scientists do not believe sharks attack humans to eat us; rather, they bite into our flesh because they are curious to find out what kind of animal we are; kind of like how dogs like to sniff new friends, only a lot more deadly. Staying out of shark habitats is the surest way to avoid getting hurt. If you have accidentally wandered into shark-infested waters, however, you need to have a plan in place.

Sharks have several different attack methods. Sometimes they swim right up and charge, sometimes they circle for a while before lunging, and sometimes they sneak up from behind for a surprise attack. To be able to defend against the shark, you must know where it is, so make every effort to watch the animal, even as you are working out your escape.

Stay calm and do not make sudden movements. When you first spot the shark, chances are it will swim away without bothering you. You cannot out-swim a shark, so trying to sprint to safety may not be your best option, unless you are already very close to shore. It is important to keep your wits about you, so you can continuously appraise the situation and figure out how to get to safety.

What to do if a shark charges at you?

If the shark does manage to charge you, Naylor says hitting the shark in the snout very hard will usually spook the animal off.

“They have a lot of receptors on the snout, so if they’re really quite alarmed, it’ll turn and it’ll go away,” Naylor continues. “That happens nine times out of 10.”

If that does not work, and a shark tries to bite a swimmer—or even has a limb in its mouth—Naylor says the best course of action is to poke the shark hard in the eyes. Then, one should reverse out of the water, keeping eye contact with the shark and making sure to never leave their back towards the animal until they are back up onto the beach.

Different bodies of waters, different shark threats. In terms of prevention and preparation, Naylor says this often depends on the waters one is in, and thus the sharks that swim in those waters.

What to do if a shark is charging at you?

“They have a lot of receptors on the snout, so if they’re really quite alarmed, it’ll turn and it’ll go away,” Naylor continues. “That happens nine times out of 10.”

If that does not work, and a shark tries to bite a swimmer—or even has a limb in its mouth—Naylor says the best course of action is to poke the shark hard in the eyes. Then, one should reverse out of the water, keeping eye contact with the shark and making sure to never leave their back towards the animal until they are back up onto the beach.

Different bodies of waters, different shark threats. In terms of prevention and preparation, Naylor says this often depends on the waters one is in, and thus the sharks that swim in those waters.

“People say ‘Don’t watch your shiny jewelry.’ Well, sure that that helps if you’re worried about Blacktip sharks, because they feed on schooling fishes,” Naylor said. “But if you’re in Australia, whether you’re wearing jewelry or not, will make a blind bit of difference to a white shark, because they feed on seals.”

What do sharks fear the most?

Sharks and dolphins are two of the most formidable creatures in the ocean, but while sharks are often seen as fearsome predators, they are known to be intimidated by dolphins. There are several reasons for this.

• A strong social structure and intelligence, allowing them to work together to defend themselves against predators.
• Have excellent eyesight and hearing, and use echolocation to detect sharks before they get too close.
• Are more agile and faster than sharks, making them difficult to catch.
• Use their tails and flippers as weapons to strike at sharks in self-defense.
• Communicate to warn each other of the presence of a shark, allowing them to coordinate their defensive efforts.
• Some species of dolphins have the ability to produce a strong electrical field, which can disorient and confuse a shark.

First, dolphins are highly intelligent animals, and they have a strong social structure that allows them to work together to defend themselves against potential predators. They have been observed using coordinated hunting strategies to take down larger prey, which makes them a formidable force in the ocean.

What to do if a shark approaches you in the water?

First, if a shark does start swimming at you. Square up and face it. As the sharp gets closer, Ramsey notes that 99 percent of sharks will turn away, but in the case that they don’t, simply reach out and redirect the animal by pushing its nose to the side.

Can you outswim a shark?

How to redirect a shark if it approaches you. First, don’t try to swim away. You can’t outswim a shark, and if it’s curious (which it probably will be if you’re splashing around), it’ll just catch up with you from behind. So turn and face it.

Maintain eye contact. Sharks are ambush predators, meaning they prefer to attack from below or behind. They’ll feel less comfortable swooping in if you look at them head-on.

If a shark comes up close, shark expert and conservationist Ocean Ramsey recommends being “ready to gently redirect by placing your hand on top of the head and locking the elbow. Over 99% of the time, sharks are going to turn off.”

If the worst happens and a shark does bite you, then it’s time to take action. It’s often said that you should punch a shark’s nose if it attacks, but as shark expert Richard Peirce tells CNN, “just underneath the nose is a mouth.” If possible, it’s advised instead to hit the eyes and gills, which are the most sensitive body parts likely to be within reach. If you’re carrying a camera, or have anything else hard to hand, use that to hit back.

How to fight off a shark?

If a shark seems to be coming straight at you, the time for escaping is over – you can’t outswim a shark. Stand your ground – a human trying to swim away looks a lot like a fleeing seal, whereas a vertical human treading water doesn’t. Grab any weapon available – such as a paddle or diving knife – and go for the eyes or gills if possible. If you have no weapon, gouging the eyes or gills with your hands, or even punching the shark in the nose can be effective – a shark’s nose is actually quite sensitive. Sharks aren’t looking for a fight, and realising that their meal knows how to fight back makes it a lot less appealing. This can help even if the shark has bitten down on you – possibly persuading it to let go and back off.

If you have been bitten, apply pressure to the wound as soon as possible – you bleed fast in the water, which can be dangerous. Also, the blood will attract more sharks. Getting to shore is also essential. If you have a friend close by, they can help pull you to safety. If you’re alone, try to remain calm (the shark doesn’t expect you to escape, so it’ll likely let you bleed for a while before coming back). Swim on your back to the shore, trying to maintain pressure on the bite.

Once you’re on the shore, seeking help, warning others, and slowing down blood flow are the priorities.

What scares a shark away?

Chillax Surf Wax by Common Sense Surf Company. Chillax wax employs olfactory deception to discourage sharks from snacking on humans. In theory, the combination of eucalyptus, chili, cloves, cayenne pepper, neem, tea tree oil, citronella and beeswax creates an odor that sharks dislike and will seek to avoid if applied to a surfboard. Chillax may be more difficult to purchase for now, as it’s produced solely by a one-man operation in Queensland, Australia.

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

How to tell if a shark is near?

• Avoid areas with high activity of seals in the water or where they are known to haul out.
• Don’t enter the water in areas of known shark activity. Known hot spots in Southern California include Point Conception, Seal Beach and Sunset beaches. Northern CA hotspots include Humboldt (Bunkers), Salmon Creek, Dillon Beach, Ano Nuevo and Morro Bay in Central California.
• Pay attention to Nature’s signs. Circling birds, splashing water, a dead whale, feeding seals and dolphins may also indicate a shark is near. Do not enter the water.
• Use the buddy system. Most shark attack survivors lived because they had immediate aid.
• Don’t look like shark food. A dark silhouette may resemble shark prey. Long boarders have lowest risk with swimmers and divers the highest. Patterned wetsuits and surfboards are available and touted by some but not well tested by science or time for this species.
• Low light may add to a mistaken predation. White sharks have an incredible sensory toolkit but are also visual predators. These sharks may mistake swimmers or surfers as a seal or sea lion during hours of low light. However, most attacks by this species occurred during daylight hours.
• River mouths or areas of low water visibility can increase risk. White sharks also frequent areas with deep channels and drop offs or canyons like La Jolla and Monterey Canyons.
• Don’t bleed in the water. If you have a cut get out. (The evidence of sharks attracted to menstrual blood or urine attracting sharks is inconclusive but believed not to attract white sharks.)
• If you see a shark keep facing it, alert others and cluster together, stay calm and paddle away avoiding jerky, splashing motions andexit the water. Warn others.
• Surfers should keep their eye on the shark and point their surfboard towards it and cluster together.
• Observe the signs. Beaches are posted if a large shark is sighted. Some areas like Stinson Beach have permanent signage. Pacifica and Capitola have become sites where juvenile white sharks aggregate.
• Warn others. Tell lifeguards you saw a shark.
• Tweet and Instagram to others using the #SharkWatch tag. Sharks patrol areas and are not locals so in time the shark will leave an area.

Final Resort?Shark survivors have describedstriking the nose, eyes or gills as a successful (and last ditch) approach towards inducing the shark to release them. Return attacks with white sharks are extremely rare and the odds of survival are high with immediate stabilization and care.

Applying Technology to Prevention. Drone footage and alerts on social media often outstrip the news and can alert ocean goers where high shark activity may be occurring. Besides better observation tools using drones and evacuating the water when a shark is near ocean-goers, several technologies have been developed whose efficacy remain uncertain against white sharks. Some of these technologies includeShark Bandzusing magnets and Shark Shields using an electrical field may act as a deterrent to shark investigations. Smart buoy systems that monitor sharks in an area and alert life-safety officials have been tested off Newport Beach and documented incursions of white sharks, but the system was determined to be cost prohibitive by the city. Low-tech solutions include stickers with eyes, or a disruptive striped pattern applied to the bottom of a surfboard board. Patterned wetsuits have also been developed to persuade these ambush predators that surfers aren’t their favorite prey (seals and sealions).