What to do if you get bit by a shark!!

What to do if you encounter a shark~ 
Our best tips on avoiding dangerous marine life in the Gulf Coast waters.
Most people have a normal fear of sharks and other potentially dangerous marine life in the Gulf Coast area. We share the Gulf Coast with abundant marine wildlife. Because we can't easily see what lives beneath the surface of our water, its easy to forget that there are several species of sharks that also call the Gulf Coast home.
While shark attacks are not common, it is always a frightening possibility. In fact, earlier this week, a great white shark attacked a man near Cape Cod at Ballston Beach. Locally, in 2001, an 8-year-old boy was attacked by a bull shark in Pensacola Beach near Fort Pickens. We want your family to be prepared should you ever encounter something like this.

Recently, we saw this video of sharks filmed in Pensacola Beach at the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier.


This was enough motivation to spark us to do some research on sharks!
There are plenty of sharks in the Pensacola Beach area including nurse, tiger, lemon, bull, hammerhead, and mako sharks. Sharks can be found right off shore at our own Pensacola Beach and live closer to shore than most think.

Here are our best tips on how to avoid sharks and what to do if you are approached or attacked by a shark.

If you want to avoid sharks:
Large schools of fish attract sharks!
  • Sharks move inland to feed at dawn, dusk, and during the night. Do not get into the water during these times or you are at risk for attack.
  • Do not swim in any area where people are fishing or near fishing piers, docks, boats or bridges
  • Swim in groups! Sharks most often attack individuals.
  • Do not wear any jewelry or high contrast colors like red or orange.
  • Avoid channels, areas that drop off fast, and murky waters.
  • Don't make a lot of movement and splashing in the water!
  • Sharks smell blood from over a mile away. Make sure you stay away from any fish waste or blood of any type.
  • Large groups of dolphins attract sharks
  • If you see large groups of fish, birds, or dolphins, chances are sharks are also present. Don't listen to the myth that dolphins scare sharks away as both animals are attracted to the same food.
If you are approached by a shark:
  • Don't panic.
  • Be still and calm!
  • Try to leave the area calmly. 
If you are bit or attacked by the shark, this no longer applies. The experts say you should:
  • Fight the shark
  • Use any weapon possible
  • Try to gauge the eyes and gills. If you are bitten, keep pressure on the blood source to stop the blood source. Move as little as possible and seek help immediately.
Here are some other cool shark videos from the Pensacola area:

Stay safe out there!
Realty Masters of FL~ (850) 473-3983
4400 Bayou Blvd. #58B., Pensacola, FL 32503
www.PensacolaRealtyMasters.com
http://www.Facebook.com/realtymastersoffl