Beach Prep: What to pack to stay safe in the shark zone

You can catch The Shark Is Broken from 25th July 2023 at the Golden Theater, New York, NYC. 

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Chances are, your trip to the beach isn’t going to involve an apex predator attack, even if you venture out into open waters. That fear of sharks, according to a 2022 article from CBS Mornings, was probably just instilled by the hit 1975 film Jaws—its captivating effects and tension-filled storyline have managed to invoke galeophobia in entire generations. Truthfully, though, you’re more likely to win at Powerball than get bitten by a shark.

That doesn’t mean you should be complacent, however.

We’ve already outlined guidelines about how to stay shark safe, like not swimming at dawn or dusk and avoiding harbors, where fishermen often throw their catch’s innards for sharks to snack on. In addition to that, you can also bring some extra gear to keep yourself protected.

 Here’s what to pack to stay safe in the shark zone.



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Colorful stickers



Fictional great white sharks aside, most sharks tend to avoid humans—we’re generally too big, not part of their regular diets, and in their eyes, more trouble than we’re worth. When they do target humans, it’s usually because they’ve mistaken us for one of their prey, like seals or sea lions. Since sharks hunt from below and view their prey backlit by the sunlight, our silhouettes look quite similar, especially when on a boat or surfboard.

To differentiate yourself, add colorful stickers to the bottom of your boat or surfboard. Depending on who you ask either big stripes or large eyes are some of the best designs. Doing so may also communicate to the predator that you’re poisonous, as many vibrantly colored animals often are. This isn’t foolproof—sharks are colorblind and perceive shapes differently. Still, the irregular patterns and hues might help signal you’re not shark food, and adding stickers on your hull or board is more cost-effective than getting a bigger boat.



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Fishing sunglasses



The best shark defense is to be able to flee from the predator as soon as you spot it. Being out in the water, however, makes that difficult. Harsh sunlight on the sea’s reflection can hurt your eyes and make looking under the surface impossible. That’s why it’s best to keep a pair of fishing sunglasses handy—preferably polarized ones with advanced lens technology. This will help optimize color contrast for water sports, allowing you to filter the light glare and see right through the water. With these, not only will you be able to better enjoy whatever water activity you're doing, but you’ll also be able to spot a shark a mile away and get to safety with ease.



Shark shield devices



Using shark shield technology, you can now make your own shark-free bubble out in the ocean. Sharks have short-range electrical receptors in their snouts that they use to find food. Shark shield machines emit an electric field that causes sharks to experience muscle spasms. This doesn’t hurt the sharks—but it does evoke discomfort, pushing them to turn away. The downside is that a review on shark depredation methods found that devices like these significantly reduce bait consumption. Still, if you’re boating for non-fishing reasons and want to go for a swim, it might be helpful to have these devices around.



Specialized wetsuits



The worst-case scenario is encountering a determinedly aggressive shark while you’re taking a dip in the water. If the apex predator gets too close, panicking is the last thing you’ll want to do, as this will stimulate their hunter instincts. You’ll have to position yourself as a larger and fiercer predator and fight back until the shark disengages. You’ll also want to protect your vital areas, like your head, neck, and torso. Of course, this should be a last resort. 

Wearing a specialized wetsuit designed for shark attacks can help safeguard your body in such scenarios. This type of suit is made out of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene nanofibers and will be puncture, cut, and abrasion-resistant. The suit’s impenetrability may also discourage the shark from continuing its attack. Once it withdraws, you can swim calmly to safety. You’ll still want to seek medical attention for potential infections, but you’re far less likely to have any deep wounds.

Sharks don’t often target humans. Just in case, though, you can keep these tools on hand to stay safe in the shark zone.

Article contributed by Roxanne James exclusively for The Daily Jaws

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