Post by SaltyPost by chillyPost by SaltyPost by rwjg40I'm getting in here late, but did anyone else note the
unfortunate choice of words in the subject of this thread? It
conjurs up quite an image...
"JOHANNESBURG, Nov 28 (Reuters) - South African police searching
for a missing scuba diver found only his severed left hand,
suggesting he fell victim to a rare shark attack, police said on
Friday."
That sure does stir up quite an image. The chances of it
happening are very slim though.
I'm not sure that the chances are quite so slim in south Africa.
IIRC, S Africa is actually many steps behind in the list for shark
attacks on humans, whether swimming or scuba diving. In N America;,
Florida, Hawaii and Calif seem to be the big contenders. And in the
world picture, Australia seems to be the leader. Perhaps I'm wrong.
On the basis of the 2002 figures from the most comprehensive source I've
found:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/Statistics/2002attacksummary.htm
Post by SaltyThree fatalities occurred in 2002, down from five in 2001 and 13 in
2000. The 5% fatality rate was significantly lower than the 1990's
decade average of 13%. The three fatalities occurred in Australia (2)
and Brazil (1).
As in recent years, the bulk (82%: 48 attacks) of incidents occurred
in North American waters, including 47 from the United States and one
in the Bahamas. The 47 attacks in the United States were less than
the 2001 (53) and 2000 (54) yearly figures. Elsewhere, attacks
occurred in Australia (6), Brazil (3), South Africa (2), and Costa
Rica (1).
Thus if you just want to be attacked North America is the place to go
whereas Australia is the best place for getting fully worked over. In
reality if you don't choose Australian sites known for potentially
dangerous sharks and especially don't spearfish then the dangers to
divers in Australia are minimal.
Simon