Statistics of Shark Attacks on Divers
Last updated: February 27, 2008
These graphs represent the water depth at which shark attacks have occurred and the total depth of the water in which the attack took place. As you can see, the largest percentage of fatal attacks take place in deeper water. Keep in mind, though, that the number of people who were attacked in deeper water is much less, mostly because people frequent the water in shallower water. This suggests that once you are in deep water, if you are attacked, you are more likely to be killed than if you were attacked in shallower water.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
Last updated: February 27, 2008
The trends displayed above are indicative of the ranges of water in which most people SCUBA dive. This is shown in the drop in total water depth between 100 and 150 feet, and the sudden rise in over 150 feet.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
Last updated: February 27, 2008
These data show the depths of attacks and total water depths at the site of unprovoked attacks on Hookah divers.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
Last updated: February 27, 2008
The data above reflect the ranges of water in which people snorkel or free dive. Snorkelers and free divers will usually stay in shallower water, and are more likely to be attacked in places where they are diving. As you can see, it is most popular to dive in water between 11 and 20 feet deep. The divers will also usually stay along the surface of the water, as is noted in the huge rise in attacks between 0 and 5 feet of water.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
Last updated: February 27, 2008
These data show the depths of attacks and total water depths at the site of unprovoked attacks on hard hat divers.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
The graph above shows where attacks took place in relation to the shore. Most of the attacks took place over a mile away from the shore or in the open ocean as many divers will dive off ships miles away from the shore.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
Habitats in which Sharks Attacked Divers (N=168)
|
Habitat |
Attacks (%) |
Attacks (#) |
| |
|
|
Offshore Waters |
61.3 |
103 |
|
Offshore Reef/Bar/Bank |
75.5 |
77 |
|
Open Seas |
25.5 |
26 |
| |
|
|
|
Nearshore Waters |
38.7 |
65 |
|
Near Shore Waters/Beaches (No Specifics) |
54.5 |
36 |
|
Harbor/Bay |
22.7 |
15 |
|
Alongside Breaker/Jetty/Dock/Wharf |
6.1 |
4 |
|
Lagoon |
3.0 |
2 |
|
Surf Zone |
3.0 |
2 |
|
Mouth Of River/Creek/Etc. |
3.0 |
2 |
|
Inside Breaker/Surf Line |
3.0 |
2 |
|
River/Creek/Etc. Upstream Of Mouth |
1.5 |
1 |
|
Waters Between Sand Bar And Shore or Other Bar, Etc. |
1.5 |
1 |
|
Just Beyond Breaker/Surf Line |
0 |
0 |
These data are reflective of both shark habits and human diving habits. The majority of people who were attacked in offshore waters were near a reef. Not only do sharks live near reefs, but these are also the best places to dive for recreational purposes.
Last updated: February 27, 2008
© International Shark Attack File
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida
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