mugaliens
26-April-2008, 05:12 PM
Randy Martin, a 66 year old triathelete, was killed by a Great White shark on Friday, 25 Apr 08.
News Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080426/ap_on_re_us/shark_attack)
This thread really isn't about about trying to keep people from using the beaches. It's about how not to look like a seal, which is one of the Great White's favorite food.
The fact that Martin was only bitten into, and no parts were missing (he died due to massive and rapid blood loss), means that the Great White, after biting him, no longer considered him to be food (I assume we meaty humans taste rather different than blubbery seals, especially since our diets are quite different, as seals live almost exclusively on fish, whereas we're predominantly beef and salad eaters).
So:
1. Don't wear a solid black wetsuit (which is what Martin was wearing). You look a LOT like a seal that way.
2. Wear contrasting colors with varying patterns. White is not a good option, as it's too close to silver, and you don't want to be mistaken for a fish, either.
3. Stay away from large light-colored dots, as they look like jellyfish, another favorite food for some sharks.
4. If you are attacked, don't struggle, as the razor sharp teeth will just do that much more damage, and nearly all shark attacks are mistakes on the part of the shark (they're not the brightest of animals...).
5. DO, however, give it a solid punch in the nose! Why? Because fish don't punch. Neither do seals. A shark's snout is tender, loaded with nerve endings. A punch in the nose doesn't feel good, whether you're a shark or a human. Might not deter a Great White, but a smaller shark would certainly feel it. A good knee to the belly right below, and betwee the eyes works fairly well, too, as it's akin to getting punched in the throat.
6. If you have a weapon, go for the eye, but don't waste time trying to pinpoint it. Anywhere around the eye will give it pause for thought.
Well, that's enough cheery info on how to avoid an attack and what to do if you are attacked.
Cheer up, though. Out of an annual average of 67 shark attacks reported annually, only 4, just 6 percent (1 in 17) are fatal.
Furthermore, given the many millions of bathers, your chances of even being attacked in the first place is way less than 1 in a million.
So...
Anyone up for a trip to the beach?
News Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080426/ap_on_re_us/shark_attack)
This thread really isn't about about trying to keep people from using the beaches. It's about how not to look like a seal, which is one of the Great White's favorite food.
The fact that Martin was only bitten into, and no parts were missing (he died due to massive and rapid blood loss), means that the Great White, after biting him, no longer considered him to be food (I assume we meaty humans taste rather different than blubbery seals, especially since our diets are quite different, as seals live almost exclusively on fish, whereas we're predominantly beef and salad eaters).
So:
1. Don't wear a solid black wetsuit (which is what Martin was wearing). You look a LOT like a seal that way.
2. Wear contrasting colors with varying patterns. White is not a good option, as it's too close to silver, and you don't want to be mistaken for a fish, either.
3. Stay away from large light-colored dots, as they look like jellyfish, another favorite food for some sharks.
4. If you are attacked, don't struggle, as the razor sharp teeth will just do that much more damage, and nearly all shark attacks are mistakes on the part of the shark (they're not the brightest of animals...).
5. DO, however, give it a solid punch in the nose! Why? Because fish don't punch. Neither do seals. A shark's snout is tender, loaded with nerve endings. A punch in the nose doesn't feel good, whether you're a shark or a human. Might not deter a Great White, but a smaller shark would certainly feel it. A good knee to the belly right below, and betwee the eyes works fairly well, too, as it's akin to getting punched in the throat.
6. If you have a weapon, go for the eye, but don't waste time trying to pinpoint it. Anywhere around the eye will give it pause for thought.
Well, that's enough cheery info on how to avoid an attack and what to do if you are attacked.
Cheer up, though. Out of an annual average of 67 shark attacks reported annually, only 4, just 6 percent (1 in 17) are fatal.
Furthermore, given the many millions of bathers, your chances of even being attacked in the first place is way less than 1 in a million.
So...
Anyone up for a trip to the beach?