Ways to Survive a Shark Attack: When Playing Dead Can Keep You Alive

On July 30, 1945, during World War II, the U.S.S. Indianapolis sank in the Philippine Sea near Guam. Nearly 900 sailors were left stranded in the water for four days without help. Soon after the sinking, sharks began to attack many of the men. When rescue arrived, only 316 people remained alive, although it isn't clear how many of those victims died from shark attacks.

sharks around boat
Brian J. Skerry/National Geographic/Getty Images
Sharks may be attracted to boats or people in the water.

In rare situations like this one, playing dead could work to your advantage. If sharks are in a feeding frenzy around you, they may ignore your fresh meat and continue biting at others. It may sound inhuman not to try to fight off a swarm of sharks attacking dozens of people around you in the water, but it may be your only hope for survival.

Sharks have a unique sense called electroreception. In rescue scenarios, sharks will continue to go after a wounded person rather than the fresh meat of the rescuer because it is physiologically attracted to blood. Electroreception allows sharks to detect minute changes in the electricity conducted through salt water. Adding blood to salt water alters the surrounding electricity, setting off the sharks' electroreception, which draws it back to the wounded victim.

Tips for Avoiding Shark Attacks
Don't let your summer dreams get ripped at the seams. At the beach, follow these tips for avoiding shark attacks.
  • Don't swim alone.
  • Don't swim before dawn or after dusk during prime shark feeding times.
  • Don't wear anything shiny or metallic that could attract sharks.
  • Don't splash excessively.
  • Don't bring your pets into the water with you.
  • Stay away from drop-off areas where sharks may congregate.
  • If you're bleeding anywhere, get out of the water.
  • If you see a shark, don't provoke it.
  • Don't swim near active fishing docks.
  • Don't wear high-contrast clothing.


Thrashing around in the water is also known to attract sharks. If you float calmly while surrounded by flailing, splashing people, sharks may ignore you and go for the more obvious targets. In addition, stay alert to the warning signs of an impending chomp. A hunched back, lowered pectoral fins and zigzagging motion are red flags that you look like a tasty piece of meat [source: Burgess].

Of course, if you have a chance to escape water, do so as fast as you can. And if a shark bites you, hit it back on its nose, gills or eyes.

For related information about sharks and safety, visit the links on the next page.