Survivor of Shark Attack Shares Critical Survival Tips
Former Navy Diver Shares Shark Encounter Survival Tips
Paul de Gelder, a former navy diver who survived a shark attack in Sydney Harbour in 2009, has shared essential survival tips for encounters with sharks. His insights were featured in an interview for Discovery's Shark Week 2025.
De Gelder's experience highlights the importance of preparation and knowledge when faced with a dangerous shark encounter. He advises avoiding putting any limbs or objects in the water, as this is the most dangerous mistake—you risk attracting sharks or losing body parts, as demonstrated when his prosthetic leg was torn apart by circling sharks.
To minimize the risk of attracting sharks, De Gelder suggests avoiding any shiny objects in the water. Reflective or shiny jewelry can mimic fish scales and make you an easier target. He also cautions against wearing such jewelry when swimming near shark-infested waters.
In a close shark encounter, De Gelder emphasizes the importance of calmness, eye contact, and assertiveness. Maintaining eye contact and keeping watching the shark can make it hesitate in its approach as it recognizes you are watching. Standing your ground and staring the shark down can help deter it from attacking.
If a shark comes too close, De Gelder advises pushing it firmly on the nose rather than punching. Pushing is more effective at forcing the shark away, while touching sensitive areas like under the snout (Ampullae of Lorenzini) might provoke a defensive wide-mouth reaction.
Sharks do not know what humans are and consider them as almost the same size, so they do not want to fight. De Gelder's story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by sharks and the life-saving strategies one should employ in such life-threatening circumstances.
De Gelder also advises always carrying a tourniquet, as severe bleeding from limb loss can be fatal; a quick application can prevent dying from blood loss. He stresses the significance of understanding shark behavior and reacting accordingly.
Tiger sharks often approach from behind, possibly due to their preference for easier targets. Therefore, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and keep any gear or limbs inside a kayak or boat to avoid dangling anything in the water, which attracts shark attention.
In summary, avoiding provoking sharks by minimizing exposed limbs and shiny items, keeping a tourniquet ready, maintaining eye contact, pushing (not punching) to deter attacks, and staying calm throughout the encounter can increase your chances of survival in a shark encounter.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, understanding mental-health is crucial in dangerous situations. Paul de Gelder's experiences provide valuable insights, showing how therapies-and-treatments, such as remaining calm and demonstrating assertiveness, can aid in survival. Furthermore, sports, particularly swimming, can benefit from De Gelder's advice, as it highlights the importance of awareness and proper gear when entering shark-infested waters.
