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NAUI Master Scuba Diver 58 The Diving Environment ure 2-30), large grouper, sharks, poisonous sea snakes, killer whales, and some seals or sea lions. They all have two things in common: humans are not their normal prey and they rarely bite humans (figure 2-31). This should be comforting, but if they do bite, the consequences can be devastating. How to Avoid Predators • Do not swim or dive in areas with great concentrations of predators. Marine mammals are protected in the U.S. and other areas. Learn the laws about approaching and interacting with them. • Do not spear fish. Wounded fish and fish blood are great attractions to sharks, barracuda, and some marine mammals. Particularly do not spear large predators. • Do not feed any wild predators such as barracuda, moray eels, sharks, groupers, seals, or killer whales. • Do not harass or handle predators. • Do not swim or dive alone. • Some sharks feed on sea lions and seals. If you look like one on the surface or underwater, you may be mistaken as a prey item. These suggestions may appear as just common sense, but many divers break all of these rules. If left alone, barracuda, moray eels, and large grouper probably represent little threat to the diver. However, if molested, all of these animals are effective in biting divers and producing serious wounds. The bite from a shark, a killer whale, or a large seal could be severe and fatal. When these animals are spotted underwater, there is usually time to swim purposefully and slowly in retreat. Most shark attacks have occurred in murky, shallow water where it was not possible to see the shark before the attack. In general, the surface appears to be the most dangerous location for a diver. Few authenticated shark attacks have occurred to a diver on the ocean floor. Don’t set yourself up for a problem by provoking a shark or other predator. It is not known for sure just what provokes and bothers large sharks, so it is wise to be cautious. Some areas of the world are riskier than others, so know your diving site. Bites from sea creatures, whether severe or very moderate, should be handled with great care. First, control the bleeding by using large gauze pressure bandages. The wound or wounds should be filled with gauze and the material held in place with a flexible bandage and, occasionally, a splint to immobilize the limb. Once the bleeding is controlled, treat the victim for shock, then transport as rapidly as possible to the nearest medical facility. The wounds should be cleaned as soon as possible and any necessary surgical procedures completed. The need for FIGURE 2-29. STINGRAY FIGURE 2-30. MORAY EEL


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