Statistics of Shark Attacks on Divers

The graph above shows the nature of divers habits rather than the habits of sharks. As you can see, most of the divers who were attacked were attacked in calm water. This is mostly due to the fact that more divers will be out in calm water than in turbid water since this makes for pristine diving conditions.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



The graph above shows the nature of divers habits rather than the habits of sharks. A good number of divers will be attacked if they can not see beyond their own hands since they are less likely to notice an approaching shark, but most of the divers will go out in water where they have relatively good visibility.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



The graph above shows the nature of divers habits rather than the habits of sharks. As you can see, most of the divers who were attacked were attacked in clear water. This is mostly due to the fact that most divers will be out in clear water since this makes for pristine diving conditions.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



Different sharks swim in waters of different temperatures. The majority of divers who were attacked in waters less than 16 degrees Centigrade were attacked by the white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, but white sharks also attack people in higher temperatures. People do not like to swim in waters less than 14 degrees Centigrade because it is too cold, so the number of people attacked in this temperature is much less. The temperature of the water at the time of an attack is mostly due to the comfort level of humans who are in the water.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



Florida waters happen to be warmer than most water. The trends reflected above show the temperatures at which most divers swim due to the fact that waters in Florida are usually at those temperatures. The spike in the graph also has something to do with the preferred temperature of water for divers.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



California waters happen to be colder than most water. The trends reflected above show the temperatures at which most divers swim due to the fact that waters in California are usually at those temperatures.
Last updated: February 1, 2008



The trends reflected above show the temperatures at which most divers swim due to the fact that waters in South Africa are usually at those temperatures.
Last updated: February 1, 2008

© International Shark Attack File Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida