Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW The Latest: Refuge occupier says members will turn themselves in ... Thieves target health club parking lots, again ... Teen in custody after fight, display of gun puts Butte Falls schools on lockdown ... The Latest: Refuge occupier says members will turn themselves in ... Thieves target health club parking lots, again ... Teen in custody after fight, display of gun puts Butte Falls schools on lockdown ... What you need to know about shark attacks Comment By More Content Now staff Posted Jun. 15, 2015 @ 12:20 pm With terrible news breaking earlier today that two North Carolina teenagers lost limbs Sunday in separate incidents at the same beach, it makes sense that vacationers may feel a bit leery of taking a dip in the ocean this summer. Here’s what you need to know about shark attacks ahead of your trip to the beach. (Photo: Flickr, cdngirlnaomi .) How many attacks take place worldwide every year? In 2014, there were 72 attacks that occurred around the world, and only three of those were fatal. Scientists say the number of attacks per capita remains stable . Are most shark attacks ‘provoked’? According to the National Ocean Service , sharks rarely attack humans, and when they do, it is almost alway out of confusion or curiosity. Often, scientists say sharks mistake a surfer for their usual marine prey, and they will retreat after a single bite. (Photo: Flickr, davidd ) Where are fatal shark attacks most likely to occur in the U.S.? In order of frequency, fatal U.S. shark attacks have been reported in Florida, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts since attacks first began being reported in 1837. Which areas of the beach are most dangerous? Experts warn beachgoers that sharks like to hang out between sandbars and in areas with steep drop-offs. Sharks are also likely to be spotted in waters where sport or commercial fishermen are posted, as they can smell bait from extremely far distances. You are also likely to encounter sharks in water where there is an abundance of marine mammals for sharks to feed on. (Photo: Flickr, Stine Homann ) How can I stay safe when I go to the beach? There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of being attacked. First off, sharks like to attack lone swimmers, so it’s best to stay with a group. Sharks are also more active at night, so avoid swimming before dawn and after dusk. Avoid wearing shiny clothing or jewelry that a shark might mistake for scales. It’s also a good idea to refrain from splashing around while you’re in the water. What should I do if I see a shark? Experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History say it’s important to stay calm if you see a shark in the water. Most sharks approach swimmers and surfers out of curiosity, and will swim away on their own. If the shark does not leave, you will want to swim away smoothly and slowly, watching the shark the whole time. (Photo: Flickr, Neil DeMaster .) Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ CONTENT DOM: Anchor dom must be placed just above the content dom in order for sticky styles and functionality to apply --> » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501