WikiHow has a
good article on how to prevent a shark attack with scuba diving. Here are the highlights of the article:
1. Avoid shark-infested waters: Look for warning signs on the beach, avoid steep drop-offs and areas between sand bars, avoid contaminated waters, avoid areas near fishing activity.
2. Know your shark: White, tiger and bull sharks are responsible for the vast majority of human fatalities. Take this
Shark Identification Quiz.
3. Carry a weapon: Do not provoke a shark or get cocky with the weapon, but a spear gun or pole spear could save your life if you are attacked.
4. Dress appropriately: Do not wear bright or flashy colors with high contrast. Avoid wearing jewelry or anything that reflects light. Cover your diving watch with the cuff of your wetsuit. Do not wear baggy clothes, it makes you look like a struggling fish.
5. Be vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings. If you spot a shark, keep an eye on it.
6. Move gracefully: Avoid splashing on the surface and sudden/erratic movements that might attract a shark. Swim smoothly at all times.
7. Scuba dive with a buddy or in a group: Sharks are less likely to attack a group of people. If you are attacked, help is immediately available.
8. Recognize aggressive behavior: Sharks swimming slowly and smoothly are generally not a threat. They may approach divers but are generally just curious. If a shark begins making sudden movements, swimming quickly or erratically, points its pectoral fins down, arches its back, points its head upward, zig-zags, or charges...it may be considering an attack. Swim quickly and smoothly to safety, either out of the water or to a defensible location, then refer to #3 above.
9. Avoid night dives in areas where sharks are present: Sharks hunt most actively at night, dusk and dawn. Also in shark-prone areas, try to avoid diving during overcast days, as the sharks may think it’s already dawn or dusk feeding time.
10. Stay out of the water if bleeding: No diving with an open wound. Women with menstrual bleeding should use tampons.
11. Avoid provoking sharks: Nearly half of documented shark attacks result from provocation or harassment, particularly by scuba divers. Give the sharks plenty of space. Do not prod or corner them.
12. Avoid diving in murky or dirty water: Sharks may mistake you for one of their usual prey (turtle, seal, etc.).
13. Avoid diving where seals live: Where there are seals, there are likely sharks.
14. When spearfishing, do not tie your catch to your body: Make sure you can quickly and easily release the catch if you see a shark.
Read the full article with good pics here:
http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Shark-AttackI have not tested and I do not endorse any of the following
shark defense products. These links are to educate you on how technology may be helping to decrease shark attacks.
SharkShieldSharkStopperPowerhead or Bang StickHere is an forum topic I started a while ago about your
chances of dying from a shark attack while scuba diving:
http://www.divebuddy.com/forum/26378/death-shark-attack-chan...-shark-scuba-diving/