A Bite From A Shark Does Not Have To Be The End

Of all the predators in the sea none is feared more by humans than the shark. Although stats prove that attacks on humans are incredibly rare it's reputation precedes itself on shorelines right the way around the world. Often a shark attack is a case of mistaken identity, but there have been many unlucky victims who have lost their lives because of hungry sharks. It is worth noting however that sharks have inhabited the oceans for over four hundred million years, and we are therefore very much the new kid on the block.

The sharks reputation was made much worse by the 'Jaws' films which painted it as a man eating beast that scans the shorelines looking for humans. In reality the shark has little interest in human contact and feeds on a diet of fish, birds and small mammals. The international shark file reports that there are roughly 100 shark attacks each year worldwide contributing towards 10-15 deaths. Put into context 1000 people die as a result of crocodile attacks and a colossal 60,000 from snake bites. 1500 people die as a result of big cat attacks, and just like the leopard the shark struggles to change its spots.

If you are unlucky enough to get bitten by a shark the consequences can be deadly. In many cases the shark will realise that you are not a decent meal and back away, but because of their large jaws they can leave serious un-repairable damage. The actual bite itself can cause a deep laceration, which if in the wrong place may severe one or more major blood vessels. The shark is also known to aggressively shake its head when striking prey which can lead to chunks of flesh being torn away. If for example this happens on the torso the internal organs can become exposed and death can occur within minutes. Finally amputations are also extremely common as the shark has the power to bite straight through bone.

If you are first on the scene and have approached a shark attack victim then the next few minutes could prove the difference between life and death. The primary aim is to call the emergency services, and then control blood loss quickly. The way to do this is by applying pressure directly on top of where the blood is escaping. There is probably no time to grab a first aid kit and therefore you should use your t-shirt or other garment to form a tight bandage over the wound. A ferocious level of blood leaving the body in time with the heart beat is a sign of a ruptured artery. If this is the case you will need to apply intense pressure on top of the wound alongside indirect pressure above it to try and constrict the vessel. If possible the injured limb should be raised above the heart. This helps limit blood loss as the heart has to work harder against gravity.

When dealing with an amputation the same rules as above need to be applied. If vessels are completely exposed you will still need to exert pressure on them to stop blood from escaping. In both cases the casualty is very likely to go into shock and it is therefore essential to keep them lying flat, warm and with legs elevated whilst you wait the arrival of the emergency services.

Second beach on South Africa's rural Eastern Cape has recently been dubbed 'the world's most deadly beach'. There have been six fatal shark attacks in the last five years with the most recently occurring in January. Ngidi Msungubana fought with a shark for five minutes in only 1.5 meters of water but sadly died of severe blood loss on his way to hospital. In many cases injuries caused by sharks prove fatal, but in other cases by thinking quickly you could potentially save a life.