Marine Life Attacks
One of the greatest fears of Divers, especially beginners, is to get attacked or bitten by sharks and other marine predators. Many marine life attacks occur if they misidentify you as a threat or as a prey. Aside from sharks, other dangerous marine life that can attack, bite, and inflict damage are barracuda, moray eels, sea lice, killer whales, and saltwater crocodiles.
In this section, get acquainted with certain marine creatures which can attack, bite, and cause damage to Divers:
Sharks
Sharks do not attack humans just because they are hungry. More often than not, they attack because they misidentify Divers as prey, when they are provoked, or when they need to defend their territory.
Sharks are untamed marine animals. They are not meant to be interactive with humans. Shark species which are known to be attackers include the white shark, bull shark, tiger shark, hammerhead, and oceanic whitetip. Though there are cases where attacks are life-threatening, most shark attacks are not fatal.
Here are some things you can do to avoid shark attacks:
- Do not take the dive if you have a cut that is bleeding. Sharks have a very sensitive sense of smell. It can sense blood even from far, far away and can trace it back to the source.
- Do not swim alone. Sharks are likely to attack solo Divers.
- If you are into Night Diving, take extra precautions, as sharks are very active at night.
- Avoid splashing too much. Sharks are attracted by splashing and vibrations in the water.
- Sharks also have good eyesight. They can actually see colors, so for your own safety, do not wear something in yellow, orange, or other bright colors, as this may provoke sharks and attack you.
- Do not wear shiny jewelry. Sharks misidentify it as fish scales, which may lead to an attack.
- Do not touch or tease sharks.
Barracuda
Barracudas are nocturnal, swift, and ferocious marine creatures, slender in form, and with a mouthful of large, sharp teeth.
Here are some basic measures to avoid barracuda attacks:
- Do not swim or dive alone.
- Avoid wearing brightly-colored suits and shiny jewelry, as these attract barracudas, which may possibly result to an attack.
- Do not provoke or agitate a barracuda. There is less probability of an attack if you leave it alone.
Large grouper
A grouper is a large fish, oblong in shape, and has large eyes and coarse, spiny fins. It has many sets of strong, slim teeth used as raspers. Unlike sharks and barracudas which use their teeth to tear flesh, the large grouper uses its teeth to prevent its prey from escaping.
A large grouper attack may result to loss of skin from the back of hands and fingers, which can lead to infection.
Sea snake
In general, sea snakes become aggressive and attack only when provoked. Its venom is much more toxic than that of snakes on land.
Symptoms of a sea snake bite include stiffness, muscle pains, jaw paralysis, and intense pain on the injured part.
To treat sea snake bites, immobilize the injured area. Administer CPR when necessary. Obtain an antivenin and seek medical help immediately.
Sea lice
Sea lice are microscopic and usually dwell on sea weeds. They attack suit-covered body parts instead of the exposed areas. They invade your suit and concentrate on areas where the clothing is tight to your body. You will experience tingling and itching sensations. You will eventually notice reddish welts or rash appearing on the affected area.
Here are things to consider in dealing with sea lice:
- Avoid diving in waters known to have a problem with sea lice.
- Applying an oily lotion may help in warding sea lice off your skin.
- In the event that you got attacked by sea lice, take off your suit and rinse your body thoroughly.
- Pat dry your skin with a towel. Rubbing the affected parts will make the welts worse.
- Apply diluted vinegar or rubbing alcohol to help neutralize the toxin left in the affected areas.
Moray eels
In general, moray eels have smooth, thick, brightly-colored skin without scales. A moray eel has a wide mouth well-endowed with razor sharp teeth. This creature can be found in holes, under rocks, and crevices.
Just like other marine animals, moray eels will attack only if provoked or agitated.
Take a look at some basic measures in dealing with moray eels:
- Respect their space and habitat. Never provoke a moray eel. Its razor sharp teeth and strong jaws can cause damage on you which can lead to bleeding and severe damage in your muscles.
- If you got injured from a moray eel attack, clean the wound thoroughly and stop the bleeding with pressure. For severe cases, seek professional help.
Killer whales
These huge marine creatures are found in all oceans. They feed on fish, squid, and other marine animals.
Killer whales are often characterized as ferocious. However, people are of the opinion that killer whales misidentify humans as prey, thus, leading to attacks. It may also be attributed to the fact that killer whales are protecting their territory, and they see humans as intruders.
Saltwater crocodiles
Considered as one of the most dangerous marine creatures, saltwater crocodiles dwell in brackish waters in coastal areas and rivers in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
They are considered as aggressive and fierce predators, and though it is seldom that Divers will encounter a saltwater crocodile, take extra precaution. Avoid diving in waters known to be infested with saltwater crocodiles.
One important thing to remember is that in general, marine animals will not attack you if you respect their space, habitat, and behavior. Understand their nature so you will be able to marvel at them and prevent marine life attacks.
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