Lapinski invites holidaymakers to take advantage of this “rare and exceptional” moment. He recalls that some people spend considerable sums of money and travel long distances to witness this marine megafauna. By appreciating the encounter and respecting the natural environment, we can make the most of this extraordinary experience.
What to do if you come face to face with a shark?
– Stay calm
The first thing to do is to stay calm and avoid panicking. Don’t try to run away or make any noise, as you risk looking like prey and piquing the shark’s curiosity.
– Make eye contact
If you do attract the shark’s attention, it’s essential never to turn your back. On the contrary, maintain eye contact with the animal. Sharks are naturally curious, and if they think you haven’t noticed them, they may continue to approach. In reality, most encounters with sharks are not real attacks, but exploratory bites. Once the shark starts to move away, you can slowly make your way back to shore.
– Keep a safe distance
In the rare event that eye contact isn’t enough and the shark closes in on you, try to keep some distance between you and the animal. To do this, use your camera, snorkel or mask as a barrier between you and the shark. This will help the shark understand that you are not potential prey. Contrary to popular belief, trying to hit or push the shark is a myth. Striking the snout or gills is mostly a legend, and extremely difficult to do effectively.
