Open Water Diving with sharks implicates swimming with sharks without a cage, just with scuba diving gear, in the ocean.

What are the steps to open water diving?

You have to keep some steps in mind to be fit to swim with sharks.

First, you must have an advanced open water license and a higher level of scuba. You must have confidence in the wide ocean and keep calm at all costs. You would need scuba diving gear like a wet suit, air regulator, air tank, and perhaps a stick or a blunt object.

How should you behave in an open-water dive?

Remember that you are in the shark’s habitat, so let the shark come to you, be as close to the bottom as you can and remain upright. Being low in the water signifies to the shark that you are not a threat. Flat, long, tall beings in a vertical position less threaten the sharks. Try and hold an upright position when swimming with Sharks. Sharks become more nervous around many divers; avoid swimming in big groups.

How many different species of sharks will you meet in the wide ocean?

More than 375 species of sharks swim in the world’s oceans, but you will probably only see half of these. Perhaps, you are interested to see a great white shark. Some common species that might swim by include Black tip reef sharks, tiger and bull sharks, and the very distinguished hammerhead shark.

Is open-water shark diving dangerous?

There is no 100% guarantee that everything will be safe with open water shark diving as sharks are creatures such as us who have their mind, which can be very unpredictable. Compared to cage diving, you do not have the safety of a cage. Thus, you become more vulnerable. However, sharks are more or less peaceful creatures as, quite frankly, they do not desire the taste of our flesh as much.

You should know some things before going into open water diving with a shark.

Some precautions include not wearing anything shiny such as jewellery, and not wearing any bright, colourful wetsuits.

Jewellery sparkling underwater may look like shiny fish scales to the shark, so try to avoid wearing any. The same goes for colourful wetsuits it will catch the unwanted attention of a shark who will want to investigate the bright shiny being.

Once again, remember you are in their habitat, just an observer, so staying as unnoticeable as possible is key.

Always stay calm with no hesitant movement, so the shark does not get irritated.

How to act if an attack does happen

As previously mentioned, sharks are not too interested in our flesh; however, if you wear jewellery and colourful suits and move hesitantly, a shark might attack. They will tend to have a bite but then realize they are not interested and let go(not to pretend like that is not painful or dangerous).

When or if a shark attacks, you will have to fight back, as the tactic of just letting it happen will not end well. The nose, eyes and gills are the most sensitive parts of a shark, so try to hit them there for them to let you go.

After you can free yourself, slowly swim up to the surface, always weary of the shark and its location.

To conclude, shark diving is mostly safe. Cage diving will ensure you have more safety. However, open-water shark diving will give you a more authentic feeling. Whatever you do, always stay respectful of the animal, and it’s habitat.

Lifeguard Services

Lifeguard services provide an easy way to hire a fully qualified lifeguard for permanent, short and long term hire. We provide an easy way to make sure your allocated water is in safe hands. We can come to your school, outdoor event, party and more. To find out more and book please see our booking page.