Shark Week has been attacking TVs across the country with its giant jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth for 25 years now. Although sharks and open water give me the heebie jeebies (watching Finding Nemo makes my blood pressure rise…can you imagine what writing this post is doing to me?), this week never fails to fascinate us.
During my Shark Week viewing, I’m usually yelling at the TV, telling people to “LOOK OUT!” or wondering loudly, “Do these people know First Aid? What if that shark jumps into the boat?!?” I have narrowed down some of my other television rants in order to bring you questions that you may want to ask yourself before you go to the water again.
1) Rant: Does everyone/anyone on those boats know First Aid?
I see a lot of sharks that catch pretty big air when they’re really hungry and wanting something to eat, and who knows if a shark would take out an arm? What if someone falls to the deck and breaks an arm? Would you know what to do if you were on a boat and there was ANY sort of medical emergency?
2) Thoughtful rant: Does everyone in these shark excursions know how to swim?
Most boating fatalities are drownings, so make sure to do your part and either know how to swim, or have life vests, floaties, etc. available to use.
3) High pitched squeal rant: Why are they swimming together? You’re giving the shark MORE to eat!
I think people always use the buddy system when going into the water. There was a part of me that initially believed that this was a silly idea because you’re just giving the sharks a two-course meal, but after a while, it dawned on me that you could alert people that your buddy is being chomped on (in case they weren’t paying attention… which they SHOULD be).
So the next time you go out on a boat, keep some of these water safety tips in mind….they’re helpful regardless of whether you’re on the ocean or a lake.
