- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
POLL: Has anyone actually seen a shark while in the water or been bitten?
I know, I know....random poll. But DH and I have a bet going on here. He never wants to vacation at beach resort locations because he says "Everything in the ocean will kill you. I am not getting in the water. A pool-yes, a lake or ocean or river-no!"
So, I told him you are more likely to be in a car accident or struck by lightning than bitten by a shark or even actually see one while you are in the water. He doesn't believe me. So, all of you have to prove me right. I want lots of answers 
Edit: He is actually afraid of the stuff in the ocean, as far as the lakes and rivers, he knows nothing will "kill" you, he just isn't a fan of swimming with other creatures.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: POLL: Has anyone actually seen a shark while in the water or been bitten?
He thinks something in a freshwater north american lake will kill you? Uh huh.
Yeah in Florida I probably wouldn't be doing a lot of swimming in certain areas at sunset. It has a shocking # of sharks, but its still relatively safe as long as you're not swimming with seal and sea turtles at dusk.
And yes, I've seen them in the water.
I've swam in a lake for 31 years however and nothing lives in one which can hurt me so... no. He's crazy on that point.
I have seen a dolphin, a manitee (I was kayaking though), and been stung by a jellyfish.
Never seen a shark though.
Yes, there was one swimming under H while we were snorkeling out on Looe Key Reef (in the FL keys) BUT I spent every summer on that reef growing up and never seen one before that.
We like to go shark fishing and have caught a few, mostly babies one 6 footer, not far from shore in the Tampa Bay. They are out there but the chances of getting bit by one is real slim
I have seen a shark out in the ocean and life gaurds called for everyone out. I see dolphins most of the time though, sometimes people freak that they are sharks though. But I've lived on the beach for most of my life and have had 1 shark sighting so... yeah waaaay more likely to get in a car accident! Oh but I also live in the lightening capital of the US and have yet to be hit by lightening though :oD But the chances of being injured by a shark on the beach are pretty rare!
Oh but I'm kind of with him on the lakes thing (at least here in FL) there are alligators everwhere! Not that you're too likey to be eaten by one of those either but I can look in almost any lake and see an alligator at any given time, which is scary,
been stung by jellyfish off the south texas coast countless times.. and saw a barracuda in Turks & Caicos... that's about it! Never any sharks, but if I did see one, I am sure I'd be paranoid for a while to swim.
And lakes around here have tons of snakes, which terrify me, so no, never any lake swimming.
Can he not just chill on the sand/enjoy the scenery without swimming (while you swim)??
I saw a nurse shark off of Cozumel, Mexico while scuba diving. My dive master estimated it to be about 6-7 feet. Surprisingly, I wasn't scared at all and actually swam a little closer (but still far enough away and it wasn't cornered!) to get a better look. It was quite the experience. Like a pp said, nurse sharks aren't known to harm people unless provoked.
I've also seen dolphins and sea turtles. Diving is something that I'm glad I got certified in and something that I wish I could do more often!
One night, many many moons ago when I was a young, hot, stupid 19 year old, I was on vacation in SC. I got very drunk one night and ended up having a drunken make out session with a very cute boy (who turned out to be the cousin of one of my coworkers 1500 miles away--how crazy is that?). We decided to take it to the water. We were kissing in the ocean, and it was almost completely dark. Something huge came up and brushed up against us, almost knocking us over. We got the hell out of there, and nothing happened, but we did hear that the beach had been closed earlier that day because of a shark sighting. Still gives me shudders to think about.
Yep! I've seen several, but I grew up at the beach and spent A LOT of time there. Here is a pic of a small one I caught several years ago. The ones I've seen closer to the shore were bigger but they don't usually bother anybody!
I understand his concerns/fears.
When I was in the beach in TX (not the clearest of water, we'll just leave it at that), I felt a fish flip against me and freaked the eff out. Obviously I didn't get back in the water.
However, if the water is clear and I am expressly in it for snorkeling for example, it doesn't bother me!
I think you need to take him to a resort/beach that has beautiful crystal clear water. That way he can keep an eye on his surroundings and feel more comfortable. Plus I bet he'll love how pretty the water is.
GL!!
My brother worked as a parasail operator at a Delaware beach during the summers, and he said they'd regularly see sharks when they were flying up above the water (supposedly you can see more clearly when looking straight down from above?)
We have some friends who were lifeguards at the same beach, and they verified that there were often sharks out in the very deep water when they were doing their morning swims. UGH.
ETA - I've personally seen nurse sharks and barracuda while snorkeling in the Caribbean, but the water's so clear there, it's not nearly as scary!
I've seen a small nurse shark while snorkeling in St. John. I've been stung by a jelly fish at VA Beach.
FWIW - I have a hard time swimming in lakes too. Farking catfish get BIG ... and they skeeve me out. ::shudder::
The Mouse ~ 06.12.08 | The Froggy ~ 02.23.11
I am a scuba instructor and have been diving for 17 years now, I have seen many many sharks, They are amazing animals, I lived in the Caribbean for many years and now live in FL and we see see them when diving but not when swimming, I have seen a few while surfing but really sharks are not out to attack anyone. If you are swimming somewhere where sharks tend to hang out you can avoid even a little worry by not swimming at dusk, not swimming to far off, staying in a group, etc.
I have some friends who are afraid of the ocean and their is no way I could get them in the water but I think if you went on a vaca somewhere with crystal clear water than he may be less afraid and more likely to give it a try, or maybe get him scuba certified then he could see everything he is freaked out by and he would learn its really not that scary:)
I've been in the water during a biting at Daytona. I didn't see it personally, but the beach got cleared.
I never set foot in natural water in Florida again. Freshwater=alligators. Saltwater=sharks. Give me chlorine any day.
YES!
But it was teeny tiny (less than 2 feet long) so it wasn't a big deal (although it scared the $hit out of me).
It was my first trip to the beach (long boat key) after we moved to FL. I was a little over knee deep in the water (which is crystal clear) and this little shark swam between my sister & I. It freaked me the EFF out. I have a phobia about sharks. I was catatonic and couldn't move or speak. My sister had to shake me and we walked out of the water.
It must have been a nurse shark or something like it because it didn't care about us at all.
ETA: And for all you people who think lakes are safe... pfft. Lakes freak me out worse because they can have gators and water moccosins AND you can't see very far in the water. ::shudders::
Yes, I've seen them in the water but never been bitten. I admit that I'm a little afraid of going in the ocean, too. We've had to evacuate the water while on vacation before because of sharks.
DH talked me into snorkeling with sharks on our honeymoon. It was in the open ocean, but as far as I'm concerned these sharks were pretty tame since the guides go there daily. However, one of the guides pointed out a 12 foot lemon shark! She looked quite surprised, and it scared the crap out of me. Even though I did it, I will never do it again. Sharks really scare me. Sorry I'm not help. Good luck!
Man, I'm with Lori. I have a pathological fear of big bodies of water and the beasties that might be in them, sharks especially. You would never catch me at a beach resort.
I'll stay out of freshwater lakes in florida, but you all are wimps.
I swim all day in our lake full of musky, catfish and pike and don't bat an eye. WIMPS!
I have lived in Fl all my life and continue to go into our waters. I grew up in S. Fl and I have seen several sharks in the Atlantic. However I also have lived in Central Fl for a number of years and yes have swam in the lakes and springs as well. There are alligators in ALL waters. Its all about being safe. Swim in pairs and never alone. Also I agree with other posters you are in more danger by getting in a car accident then being bitten by a shark, gator, or snake.