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Benares · 08-04-2010, 14:28

First of all... think I´m a Mediterranean sailor... where you will never find shaks along the beaches.

Thinking about sailing the Bahamas with childrens ( aged 5 and 1) , and after I saw a few pics of small kind of sharks in shallow waters, I started thinking more seriously on this (yes.. yes...I told you... we are not used to this here.. he he !)... As an adult I may understand that small sharks can be afraid of me ( even more if they see my face) .. but what could be the expected attitude of this lovely

fish in front of a thin lady aged 5... ???

**sarafina** · 08-04-2010, 14:41

depending on the size of the shark I expect it would be thinking "one delicious bite, or two...?"

ok, ok that was the smarty pants response.

The real response is it depends. on the type of shark, the child's response to seeing the shark and then the random chance factor, because you never know.

But having said all that I spent 4 years in Panama and never heard of a child or adult being et by sharks. And I saw plenty while diving.

Navicula · 08-04-2010, 14:48

I would suggest you check out a video called SHARKWATER it is very informative in many aspects, and it may help you relax and enjoy the water

Benares · 08-04-2010, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarafina

d
The real response is it depends. on the type of shark, the child's response to seeing the shark and then the random chance factor, because you never know.

But having said all that I spent 4 years in Panama and never heard of a child or adult being et by sharks. And I saw plenty while diving.

Well.... note reaction can be as expected.. when you see something you have never seen in your life but, you have heard about as something dangerous... ( even me, as I can still remember spielberg film called "Jaws"...). I have been in many places, and some whre dangerous... but sharks (for sailors) as formerly the wolf (on grnd), both belong to the "printed in our mind" worst tales told by our ancestors... as I know living with them makes you realize that they are not as terrible as told...
But ... I repeat... we are not used to see them...

Many new things to study for this adventure: learn how to identify them ... read more... and more and more understanding of their nature... will see the film Thanks !!

**Boracay** · 08-04-2010, 15:18

I don't have any knowledge of shark avoidance in the Bahamas, but I'd like to offer a few suggestions from my own experience.

Well fed sharks in clear tropical waters don't normally present much danger. Precautions such as proper supervision, not swimming in muddy water, where there is blood in the water (from spearfishing) and not splashing wildly (like an injured fish) could help to reduce the risk. A search on the web could return many more suggestions.

I don't recall any report that suggests that children cruising would encounter any danger greater than most other active lifestyles. Other members may have more information on this.

Ram · 08-04-2010, 15:51

I ran a dive boat/operation out of Palm Beach and did many charters in the Bahamas, I’ve been in the water with some very big bad sharks, 15+ ft tigers, hammer heads and bulls, along with reef sharks, never had any problum except for a brown spot in my britches _ I personally would be very careful with a 5 year old, I would stay very close if I was snorkeling the reefs with them, there have been people just go missing wile diving /swimming in relative shallow water, over the years with out a trace, I know this as fact-not rumor so anything is possible- you don’t hear much about it because its rare and they want to keep it quiet-
Im going to be in the Bahamas next year with my grand kids age 8-10 and were going snorkeling, but I will be careful with them and keep them close

dana-tenacity · 08-04-2010, 16:23

Sharks can't hurt you , they are not poisonous.

**sarafina** · 08-04-2010, 16:30

understood that the response could be pretty instinctive, but you can work with your child to think about seeing sharks, showing them video of cool sharks, not scary sharks, and then practicing shark drills;

stand still. lift your face from the water and call "DADDY I think I saw a shark". slowly move to shore, the boat, raft whatever. do not thrash squeal, shreik. Then when/if they do spot a shark they will have an override for the fearful instinct and know what to do. somewhat like fire drills. fires are still scary but we all know to follow the teacher out the door and down the hall.

and the good news is like most things you prepare for, the odds of it happening are very low!

cat man do · 08-04-2010, 16:35

nom nom nom

Nothing to do with children, but funny anyway
http://www.27bslash6.com/grubby.html

Ram · 08-04-2010, 18:50

I snorkel with my Grand kids when im in Fl and the boy stays so close he sometimes gets on my back if hes scared, the girl is not afraid of anything...yet

Kordie · 09-04-2010, 02:43

We have a lot of Noah's in Australia.

The people that get et are generally cold water abalone divers and the odd surfer - apparently the sharks mistake the board for a seal.

Your kids are at a far greater risk of crossing the road...

A small shark would be like being bitten by a dog. It will scar but you wont lose a limb :-)

Simon

Ram · 09-04-2010, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kordie

We have a lot of Noah's in Australia.

The people that get et are generally cold water abalone divers and the odd surfer - apparently the sharks mistake the board for a seal.

Your kids are at a far greater risk of crossing the road...

A small shark would be like being bitten by a dog. It will scar but you wont lose a limb :-)

Simon

A small shark to me is still 5-6 feet long, and I beleave one that size could take a arm off a 5 year old,! But I agree its much more likly you get hit crossing the road ! I have been able to handle sharks in the water fine or should I say i have been able to handle myself in the water fine with the sharks, I would not feel good with my grand kids in the water to handle if there were a lot of them in the water with us- so if any more than 1-2 show up its time to get out.. for now

Christian Van H · 09-04-2010, 04:47

I believe you AND your children are at a much greater risk from barracuda, if you wear anything shiny on your bathing suits or body. No, I am not kidding...

MarkJ · 09-04-2010, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benares

childrens ( aged 5 and 1)

look.... I know everyone says in the Pacific white tipped reef sharks are not dangerous, as well as black tips, or grey... but I always get a bit wary.. sharks is sharks! I don't go and pat them!

What would a one year olds leg look to even a small shark? The leg is smaller than a tidler tuna...

I would go with Rams comments to keep close to the kids on the reefs. Agree also with the shiny bits on cossies. Why look like a lure?

Also I wish boats would stop throwning food into the anchorage where they intend to swim! Or motor boats shining lights into the water at night. It just attracts preditor fish/sharks.

mark