Reduce the risks near tropical water: behave correctly in the sea where there are sharks and on shores where crocodiles live.
The water isn't the danger — its edge is
Sharks and crocodiles
Sharks. The risk is tiny — a handful of deaths a year worldwide — but the rules are simple. Don't swim at dawn or dusk, in murky water, or where fish are cleaned; no swimming with bleeding cuts; take off shiny jewelry — the glint looks like fish scales; don't splash like wounded prey. See a shark? Calmly face it and, keeping it in sight, ease toward shore or a boat. As with cats, a blown ambush calls off the attack. If it attacks, hit where it hurts most: eyes, gills, tip of the snout.
Crocodiles. The danger isn't out in the water: a crocodile strikes from underwater at the water's EDGE. In croc country, stay 5 meters from the water's edge; don't draw water at the same spot daily — it learns your routine and ambushes you; camp fifty meters from the bank; keep hands inside the boat. On land, run fast and STRAIGHT: “zigzag” is a myth that only slows you; in a straight line a croc tires in a few meters. If it grabs you, go for the eyes — nothing else opens its jaws.
Lesson notes
Sharks and crocodiles
Sharks. The risk is tiny — a handful of deaths a year worldwide — but the rules are simple. Don't swim at dawn or dusk, in murky water, or where fish are cleaned; no swimming with bleeding cuts; take off shiny jewelry — the glint looks like fish scales; don't splash like wounded prey. See a shark? Calmly face it and, keeping it in sight, ease toward shore or a boat. As with cats, a blown ambush calls off the attack. If it attacks, hit where it hurts most: eyes, gills, tip of the snout.
Crocodiles. The danger isn't out in the water: a crocodile strikes from underwater at the water's EDGE. In croc country, stay 5 meters from the water's edge; don't draw water at the same spot daily — it learns your routine and ambushes you; camp fifty meters from the bank; keep hands inside the boat. On land, run fast and STRAIGHT: “zigzag” is a myth that only slows you; in a straight line a croc tires in a few meters. If it grabs you, go for the eyes — nothing else opens its jaws.