Shark diving is a wonderful opportunity to see sharks up close and observe the beauty of these majestic creatures. Following the instructions given by our expert diving guides is necessary to keep you and the sharks safe.
Responsible shark diving is our top priority, so you can have a great experience appreciating the beauty of sharks while they remain protected. Diving with us at Phantom Divers also helps support the conservation of sharks in the Mexican Caribbean.
The Saving Our Sharks non-profit organization, founded by our director Jorge Loria, conducts research on the movement patterns of sharks to identify the best areas for the sharks to live.
This list of shark diving safety tips can help you prepare for your shark diving trip and give you an idea of what to expect while in the water with sharks.
Learn More About Sharks and Their Behaviors
It’s a common misconception that sharks are aggressive, man-eating monsters that purposely attack humans. Shark attacks are actually very rare. Humans are not a desirable meal for sharks, and attacks occur most often when they feel threatened, confused, or provoked.
Understanding different shark behaviors before you go shark diving can help you feel more comfortable around sharks. It can also help you understand what different movements and shark behaviors mean.
Sharks have different displays that alert them when they feel threatened. These displays include a shark hunching its back, rushing toward you, overly dramatic swimming or movements, or lowering its pectoral fins.
Being informed about the body language of sharks and giving them respect and space will help you enjoy your shark diving experience.
Avoid Wearing Shiny Jewelry or Reflective Gear
Shiny jewelry or anything that can give off a reflective light shouldn’t be worn when shark diving. Jewelry can give off a reflective light that sharks can mistake for fish scales. This can cause sharks to become confused and think that it’s food.
Bright-colored clothing should also be avoided. Most sharks are colorblind, but they can differentiate between contrasts of bright and dark colors. Bright colors and shiny jewelry can pique sharks’ curiosity and make them more inclined to investigate.
Remain Still or Move Cautiously
It’s important to not make sudden movements or swim around quickly when diving with sharks. Not only can this waste your energy, but it can also stir up the sand.
Water visibility is important when shark diving. At Phantom Divers, we take our divers in the water with good visibility. This helps you have a more clear view of the sharks. It also helps prevent the sharks from becoming confused.
If you stir up the sand, it can cause the water to become murky. Low visibility increases the chances of sharks becoming confused and not being able to distinguish that you’re a human and not another sea creature.
Stay With a Diving Buddy
Staying close to your diving buddy or diving guide is important to keep you and other divers safe. It’s helpful to have another set of eyes scanning the area while enjoying your shark diving experience.
Sharks might be more curious toward humans that are alone in the water. If you’re a beginner, having a diving buddy nearby can alert you if they notice any dangers. It can also help you feel more comfortable while in the water with sharks.
Keep Your Breathing Steady
When you’re diving, you must be able to keep calm and breathe steadily. Holding your breath while shark diving can cause damage to your lungs. Continuous breathing allows excess air to escape from your lungs. Pressure from excess air in your body can build up if you hold your breath while diving.
Keeping your breathing steady is especially important when you’re ascending. Your lungs expand when you ascend in the water. Excess air needs to be released while ascending to prevent lung damage.
Monitoring your air supply while you’re in the water is very important. You want to make sure you have enough air to descend, spend some time with the sharks, and ascend back to the surface.
Another portion of your air supply should always be saved as a safety measure. This extra air supply will provide you with more air in case it takes you more time to ascend. It’s also important to have extra air in the event that another diver needs it.
Our goal at Phantom Divers is to provide a safe and enjoyable dive while also educating you about sharks. Our instructors are highly trained and very knowledgeable about sharks and their behaviors. Following all instructions given by our diving guides will help ensure that your shark diving experience goes swimmingly!
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