How To Dive Safely With The Sharks
Swimming with sharks can be done with relative safety, assuming you follow a few basic principles, and understand a bit of shark psychology.
First off, never swim with sharks alone. You should have someone in the water with you, as well as someone on board the boat. Make sure you have the ability to radio for help.
Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, since this is when sharks are most likely to be feeding. Also, avoid murky water. Not only is it harder for you to see an approaching shark, but they are more likely to take a test bite if they aren’t sure of what you are.
Never get into the water if you are bleeding, and never swim with anyone else who is bleeding. Sharks can smell the smallest traces of blood in the water, and it’s like ringing the dinner bell for them.
Your wet suit should be a dark color. Bright colors and shiny things attract sharks. While you want a close view, you don’t want them to feel the need to investigate you with their mouths.
If a shark were to come in close and bump or attempt to mouth you a bit, react quickly. Most likely this is their curiosity at work, but you need to let them know you mean business. Give them a firm blow on the nose to show them you didn’t appreciate their advance, and that you are prepared to defend yourself.