My worst fear is to die like this...

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: kage69
Sorry Jzero, I was refering to shark attacks internationally, not solely for Australia. I don't consider the white shark to be the devil incarnate of the shark world, that distinction belongs to the bull shark, the tiger a close second. An awesome special on PBS awhile ago (I'm kicking myself for not taping it) on shark attacks estimated that only 1 in 3 attacks are reported.

Lucky for you I posted the WORLDWIDE statistics for ALL types of sharks since 1580, too.

Even if 66% of attacks go unreported, that is STILL less than 10000 in the last FIVE HUNDRED years.

I would still rather be on a surfboard with a chum bucket strapped to my back than driving a car.

Car's have anti-lock brakes, airbags, and seatbelts.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: kage69
Sorry Jzero, I was refering to shark attacks internationally, not solely for Australia. I don't consider the white shark to be the devil incarnate of the shark world, that distinction belongs to the bull shark, the tiger a close second. An awesome special on PBS awhile ago (I'm kicking myself for not taping it) on shark attacks estimated that only 1 in 3 attacks are reported.

Lucky for you I posted the WORLDWIDE statistics for ALL types of sharks since 1580, too.

Even if 66% of attacks go unreported, that is STILL less than 10000 in the last FIVE HUNDRED years.

I would still rather be on a surfboard with a chum bucket strapped to my back than driving a car.

Car's have anti-lock brakes, airbags, and seatbelts.

LoL!!!

I've been face-to-face with tigers, White Tipped Reef Sharks, and 3 bulls over the years surfing and scuba. Because I don't reef hunt I've never been bothered. My uncle has had some bites taken out of his leg because he DOES reef hunt (spear fishing) and has bloody fish with him darn near every time.

Now ya'll have got me interested in diving again. I've never been diving around Catalina. I think it's time since it's so close...

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

That has to be a terrible way to die.. But I agree with Eli that possibly the worst thing is to get in some kind of accident and for your loved one to die and for you to live.. it'd be terrible... ugh, death is scary

 

[Qaabus]

I think it's not so bad.
Those teeth are so sharp you don't even feel it when you're being bitten.

 

[skace]

Jzero, while I think your stats are fair. I would also paint the picture that there are far more people on the roads in cars everyday of their life. If people had to swim across oceans everyday of their life, people would be dropping like flies.

 

[Psycho18]

I'm glad I don't spend a lot of time at the beach.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: skace
Jzero, while I think your stats are fair. I would also paint the picture that there are far more people on the roads in cars everyday of their life. If people had to swim across oceans everyday of their life, people would be dropping like flies.

I disagree. Consider how many people participate in a marine aquatic activity during the year - swimming at the beach, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, SCUBA diving, skin diving, snorkeling, water skiing.

I would bet it's at least over 1 million potential victims each year, but assuming that a majority of attacks go unreported, there are still less than 200 incidents per year and most of them are not fatal.

Sure, the number of incidents would likely increase proprotionally to the number of people in the water, but it would still be relatively low.

I'm not saying it will never happen, I'm just saying if you let this scare you out of the water, then you should probably be too scared to do a lot of common everyday things as well.

 

[kage69]

Hyperbole escapes you, I see.

Please. I guess I was unaware you held exclusive rights on sarcasm in this thread, how foolish of me.

The point is that the chances of getting attacked are extremely small. Panicking about shark attacks is like panicking about spontaneously combusting. You're more likely to die falling down a staircase than getting attacked by a shark. There's so many other more common ways for aquatic-types to get killed in the field that shark attacks simply are not worth getting worked up over.

Seems like you're the one with the penchant for exaggeration here - I express dismay over over a fatality, and relate personal experiences on the matter, and I'm panicking? Truth be told, I'm more worried about getting a love tap from a man-of-war while in the water, or stepping on a stingray. You can sit there and preach over your stats all you want, I've learned to have a healthy respect for sharks. Your citing of ratios means nothing to me, by rights I shouldn't have had those encounters I did or know people who experienced worse. And it's funny, I only know one person who has been killed in a car wreck. How does it go? 'There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.' Regardless, I stand by my previous statement : I don't feel this is something trivial enough to chance. You take chances over things like wearing the wrong hiking boots, or not packing sunscreen - not being ripped apart and eaten by sharks.

Your all-encompassing metric on the odds of shark attacks doesn't really apply to acts of total stupidity, like surfing on the waves at a delta, or swimming with seals in known shark feeding areas. Believe it or not, I like sharks - I snap pics of them whenever possible, and always release them if hooked, regardless of species. They're a valuable part of the ecosystem, and the way they've been maligned and hunted is a shame. I just think it's stupid to assume you're gonna be ok in the water with a predator who is many times your size, can move many times faster, and is prone to mistaking humans for seals, whales, and turtles. Methinks your bravado/faith in numbers would quickly erode if you suddenly realized your surfboard was being shadowed by a 10ft tiger.

 

[Jzero]

Kage69:
Unless I misread the intent of your statements, it sounds to me like you think people should give up marine aquatics on the off-chance they might get bitten by a shark.

That's panic in my book.

You can argue about the statistics if you want. Statistically, a casino always wins, but there are always a lucky few that come out on top. They aren't universal facts, but they paint a clear picture of just how unlikely a shark attack is.

It could still happen, but it's not likely enough that you should drop what you're doing and run out of the water.

 

[maziwanka]

omg

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: Anubis
wow that sucks

 

[kage69]

Unless I misread the intent of your statements, it sounds to me like you think people should give up marine aquatics on the off-chance they might get bitten by a shark.

Yes, you misread it. I'm still diving, swimming, and fishing, but not in areas that host migrational feeding parties for species that are known to attack and eat humans.

 

[Trey22]

At least he went down fighting.

Man, what a way to go.

I don't fear my own death (by whatever means) as much as I fear losing those dearest to me in life.

 

[BillyBatson]

i think that's sad but not the most horrible way to die

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: kage69

Unless I misread the intent of your statements, it sounds to me like you think people should give up marine aquatics on the off-chance they might get bitten by a shark.

Yes, you misread it. I'm still diving, swimming, and fishing, but not in areas that host migrational feeding parties for species that are known to attack and eat humans.

LOL. I do NOT consider it panicking to avoid high-risk spots Sorry I misunderstood that!