By Allison G. S. Knox
Contributor, EDM Digest
Shark attacks are always a matter of concern for beach-goers. While they’re not prevalent, the concept of an attack while swimming in the ocean is particularly frightening. [link url=”https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/what-are-odds/risks-comparison/” title=”Statistics”] say that shark attacks are actually very rare. These statistics can be comforting, except for when there have been recent shark sightings on the beach. In Southern California, there have been numerous [link url=”http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/us/25-great-white-sharks-off-california-coast/” title=”shark sightings”] while people have been swimming. In one case, a [link url=”http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/swimmer-injured-shark-attack-southern-california-beach-47117297″ title=”young woman was severely bitten”] and has been undergoing surgery to recover from the attack. As migration patterns have seemingly changed, there are several measures in place to protect swimmers. These common-sense solutions are working well to prevent more attacks.
Shark Mitigation System
Considering the concern of shark attacks at the beach, a clever new technology was developed to help mitigate shark attacks. [link url=”http://www.sharkmitigation.com/about.html” title=”Hamish Jolly and Craig Anderson”] developed a shark mitigation system utilizing buoys to prevent shark attacks. The [link url=”http://www.sharkmitigation.com/sonar-clever-buoy.html” title=”system”] uses sonar to scan for sharks and acts as a warning device for swimmers and surfers. [link url=”http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/out-smarting-sharks-to-prevent-attacks_145931/” title=”The clever system is being put to good use”].
Shutting Down Beaches
Shutting down a beach is a difficult decision for public safety officials but is a smart, common-sense decision, too. Earlier this year, there were shark sightings in southern California which [link url=”http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/09/southern-california-beach-reopens-after-8-foot-shark-sighting-prompts-closure/” title=”prompted beach closings.”] [link url=”http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Long-Beach-Officials-Issue-Shark-Advisory-After-Multiple-Shark-Sightings-421550473.html” title=”In Long Beach, California, public safety officials issued a shark advisory”] after there had been multiple sightings of sharks. If sharks are known to be in the area, it is important to take precautions like this. It’s a common-sense solution to an issue that can have devastating consequences.
Recent Shark Sightings
Since the recent shark attack in Southern California, there have been numerous sightings of great white sharks in the vicinity. In Capistrano Beach this week, [link url=”http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/us/25-great-white-sharks-off-california-coast/” title=”surfers were told to carefully exit the water”] as 25 great white sharks had been spotted around them. Watching for sharks when they’re known to be in the vicinity is smart and is a common-sense approach to preventing more shark attacks from occurring.
Tourniquets
Recently, a [link url=”http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/swimmer-injured-shark-attack-southern-california-beach-47117297″ title=”young woman was bitten by a great white shark while wading in the waves at San Onofre Beach in southern California”]. The woman’s injuries were significant. She initially survived the attack because a bystander assisted her with a [link url=”https://amuedge.com/shark-attacks-tourniquets/” title=”tourniquet”] – a device that has been largely responsible for saving the lives of individuals when attacked by sharks on the beach.
Conclusion
Of course, whenever a serious emergency happens we question as a society whether we are doing enough to prevent future incidents. [link url=”https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/what-are-odds/risks-comparison/” title=”Statistically speaking”], shark attacks don’t happen all that often. The idea that areas put signs up to alert swimmers and also alert swimmers when there are great whites in the vicinity are important measures. Shutting down beaches are also important measures to take. [link url=”http://www.sharkmitigation.com/sonar-clever-buoy.html” title=”Shark Mitigation Systems”] are cleverly working to prevent shark-related deaths, too. Ultimately, lifeguards and other public safety officials just need to be keenly aware of their surroundings, (just as they are), to make sure that swimmers and surfers are safe. We could always improve our mitigation systems to prevent more lives lost. The measures currently in place are common-sense solutions that appear to be working very well.
Comments are closed.