Reason: There is strong evidence to suggest that sharks move in closer to a land mass (island or shore) following sunset.

Reason: You are farther from assistance, should you need it.

Reason: Sharks may be more likely to approach solitary individuals, and should you get injured there is nobody to help you.

Reason: Their splashing may attract a predator.

Reason: It is thought sharks are attracted to high-contrast objects.

Reason: Sharks may become stressed due to the low visibility and sudden presence of humans.

Reason: Your instincts may be providing a warning of impending danger.

Reason: Their actions may alert you to the presence of a shark.

Reason: A shark attempting to snatch your catch or the bait, could inadvertently injure you.

Reason: The vibrations of speared fish attract sharks.

Reason: This behavior is often associated with the proximity of sharks.

Reason: It suggests an animal in distress.

Reason: Locals know the area.

Reason: If sharks are in the immediate area, the risk of injury is increased.

Reason: Some species of sharks (preferably) hunt in murky or turbid water, others may bite because of stress, and still others (but very rarely) bite an unfamiliar object to find out what it is. It is also difficult to defend yourself from something you cannot see.

Reason: Freshwater plankton dies and attracts fish, some species of fish spawn at river mouths, and carcasses of dead animals are carried downstream. All these conditions attract predators such as sharks.

Reason: Any natural structure attracts a variety of marine animals and may be a feeding area for sharks.

Reason: These are often feeding areas for sharks, and there is often a higher current which requires stronger motions (= more sounds and visually more attractive)

Reason: These are often feeding areas for sharks.

Reason: Diving birds indicate schools of fish are in the area and the likelihood that sharks in the area is increased.

Reason: Frightened, darting fish create distinctive sounds that are very attractive to sharks.

Reason: Predator fish may try to hide because of the presence of sharks.

Reason: Predator fish, possibly sharks, are feeding on the baitfish.

Reason: These areas attract sharks.

Reason: These species often feed with sharks.

Reason: These animals are the prey of large sharks, including white sharks.

Reason: Many fatalities in the GSAF file could have been avoided if arterial bleeding had been recognized and stopped, and basic life support provided until professional medical assistance arrived. The life you save could be your own or that of a loved one.

Reason: Shark don’t “understand” what a human being is and even when close very careful. An unfamiliar object that approaches them is potentially dangerous.

Reason: Sharks look for clues what a human being could be, any water relocation (by moving legs) could be interpreted as the propulsion of the object and would be bitten first - to immobilise the object.

Reason: To know where a shark is at all times, makes it easier to be ready should it move closer.

Reason: A wetsuit acts as a pressure bandage and restricts the loss of blood.

Reason: The shark may simply be curious, but if you respond with aggression the shark may react in the same way, and its movements can attract others.

Reason: It may feel threatened, stressed and react defensively.

Reason: Any shark is capable of inflicting injury.

Reason: A shark’s curiosity about the victim might still be high, even if it did not bite the victim a second time. Any attempt to rescue the victim can trigger another response from the shark, and the rescuer’s initial task is to secure the situation.

* It is understood that a person might be drowning and immediate help is needed but most bites are less severe, and such is the exception to the rule. In these rather rare occasions, a rescuer must deal with a victim while remaining face-to-face with the shark.

Reason: Even if the shark has decided that the victim is not suitable prey, there is a possibility that the sudden appearance of another person - together with the attempt to remove the victim - might trigger a “claim response.” A claim response could reflect an establishing of ownership based on initial appearance and exploration, so a rescue attempt should not commence until the situation with a shark is under control. In its worst form, a claim response ends up in a tug-of-war between the rescuer and the shark with the victim caught between the two.

Reason: A stressed victim can grab you and pull you down, aggravating the situation.

Reason: The likelihood of a shark biting the victim a second time is statistically rather small (unless a claim response is triggered), but a rescuer must still be capable of fending off the approaching shark. The rescuer should position himself/herself in front of the victim (in relation to the shark’s position), and follow the interception and confrontation rules. Although moving a victim from the site can trigger a competitive or claim behavior in a shark, a situation will not escalate as long as the rescuer acts focused and immediately ceases moving the victim when the shark is turning towards the rescuer/victim again (see following rules as well).

Reason: Always assume that a shark is still interested in the victim, and the removing of the victim as the shark approaches could trigger a claim response. Move the victim only when the shark is swimming away from the rescuer and victim or moves at least a few body lengths away.

Turn towards the shark, face it, and keep it in your eyesight. If you are in deeper water, change into a vertical position, let you legs loose (hang), and only use your arms to keep your general position to face the shark.

Guide a shark around you should it come so close that you can reach the shark by stretching your arm without (!) leaning forward. Do not touch the shark in its snout area but rather on its top or side (behind the eyes). Do it gently and extend your arm slowly (never quickly).

Push the shark off should it approach head on. If the pattern is repeated, try to touch the shark in its gill areas. Remember: a shark does not know what a person is but will likely recognize the signal (= only other aggressors “go for the gills”).

Move towards the shark should it be persistent and not show the desired effect of leaving you alone.

These four recommendations are also called “Face-Guide-Push-Move,” in chronology of the steps to be taken.