Statistics of Shark Attacks on Divers

The graph above reflects the divers' habits rather than shark behavior. As you can see, most of the divers who were attacked were attacked in calm water. This is mostly due to more people diving in calm than in turbid water, as this makes for better diving conditions.
Last updated: June 18, 2013



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: June 18, 2013



As you can see, most of the divers who were attacked were attacked in clear water. This is mostly due to most divers prefering locations with clear water where they are better able to view marine life.
Last updated: June 18, 2013



Different sharks swim in waters of different temperatures. The divers who were attacked in waters 16 degrees Centigrade or less were attacked by white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, however white sharks also attack people in higher temperatures. People do not like to swim in waters less than 15 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: June 18, 2013

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