At Tekna, the only thing we love more than sharks is manufacturing the best, most rugged, US made gear on the market to help adventurers everywhere enjoy them up close. When we meet fellow shark lovers, it’s common to detect some hesitation, or even nerves, emanating from them over diving in (pun intended!) to the world of shark diving. Any sort of diving comes with some inherent risk, so it is smart to proceed with caution and do your due diligence when embarking on the hobby. We wanted to provide some guidance on how to be prepared to swim with the sharks.
Sharks can be dangerous, but… Sharks are strong, powerful creatures. A bite from even a small shark can cause serious injury. With their size and rows of razor-sharp teeth, it’s easy to fear them. And our shark-demonizing culture doesn’t help much. Just think of the motion picture Jaws, and you can probably hear the ominous music and screams in your head. Interestingly, I had the opportunity to get to know Peter Benchley, who authored the book and co-authored the screenplay for Jaws. He shared with me his regrets over writing the book and its contribution to painting sharks in a negative light. The truth is, there are more than 300 different kinds of sharks around the world, and only about a dozen have ever been known to be involved in an attack on a human (1). The chances of being attacked by a shark are small – only about one in 3.7 million (2) Sharks have been around a lot longer than humans, so we never really made it into their diet. They are, however, opportunistic feeders, so if they are confused, hungry enough, or feel threatened, they could pose a greater threat to humans.
There are feeding limitations. Depending on where you plan to dive, it may or may not be permitted for you to feed sharks to interact with them more closely. Different areas and countries have different laws, and even places that allow it often regulate it somehow. In its most recent version of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Restoration Blueprint, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)proposed restricting shark feeding except in the case of harvesting. Shark feeding is already prohibited in state waters off the coast of Florida. It is important to be aware of any local restrictions where you dive.
Make sure you have the right gear. Every shark diver will have their own list of must-haves, but here’s a list to get you started:
- Diving suit
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Knife
- Two Underwater Flashlights such as our Tekna Lite 6 or our Expedition Star
- Depth gauge
- Submersible pressure gauge
- Compass
- Tank bangers such as our Moray Diver’s Communication Torch which conveniently combines a flashlight with a noise maker.
- Diving cylinders
- Camera and photography accessories if you plan to photograph the sharks (always!)
It is best to avoid wearing bright colors or anything that is shiny or reflective.
Diving with sharks is breathtaking and exhilarating, and it’s easy to see why so many divers enjoy it. Why not give it a try? As you prepare to take the plunge, we’d be happy to help you get stocked up. Tektite Industries, Inc. manufactures and distributes the most rugged and reliable products in the Outdoor, Industrial, Public Safety, and Military markets including LED flashlights, LED replacement bulbs, HID lights, dive lights, strobes, signaling lights, and knives. We combine cutting-edge technology with timeless artistry to support all your passions and adventures. Shop our products today.
