Summer Shark Safety with Tom Carroll

Summer is here and most Aussies are looking forward to the beach season and summer holidays! During this time, it is important that all ocean lovers take responsibility for their own water safety and look out for each other. Two-time World Surfing Champion Tom Carroll shares his top 11 tips to protect yourself from an unwanted shark encounter this summer.
 
Tom Carroll says, “Shark Shield Technology is a win for surfers and sharks alike. It takes the wellbeing of sharks as seriously as the protection of humans and provides the ultimate safety for ocean enthusiasts during the upcoming warmer months. Ideally don’t surf alone and it’s best if you can stay out of the water at night, dawn and dusk, it’s known that these are the times when sharks will be searching for food.”
 
Tom Carroll shares his 11 top tips to stay safe in the ocean this summer:

1. Download the Dorsal App for iPhone or Android – Dorsal is a free community-based shark alerting solution that allows beachgoers and authorities to immediately alert others to shark sighting or attacks in their area.
2. Wear a scientifically proven shark deterrent – Ocean Guardian products are powered by Shark Shield Technology, the world’s only scientifically proven electrical shark deterrent, nothing is more effective.
3. Stay out of the water at night, dawn, or dusk – Sharks are most active at these times and are well equipped to locate prey even when visibility is poor.
4. Refrain from excessive splashing – Unpredictable movements can attract sharks. If you are spearfishing and carrying fish when you see a shark, release the catch and carefully leave the area.
5. Don't wear high-contrast clothing or light reflecting jewellery – Sharks see contrast very well and light reflecting objects may appear to be fish scales.
6. Swim, surf or dive with a buddy – Sharks most often attack lone individuals.
7. Avoid murky waters, harbour entrances, channels, and steep drop-offs – Sharks frequently swim around these areas.
8. Swim in patrolled beaches Surf lifesavers look for sharks and will alert beach-goers if there is a sighting.
9. Don't enter the water if bleeding – Sharks have an excellent sense of smell and taste and can trace blood to its source.
10. Avoid areas where animal, human, or fish waste enters the water – Sewage attracts baitfish, which in turn attracts sharks.
11. If fish or turtles start to act frantically, leave the water – They may be behaving this way because there is a shark nearby.

Ocean Guardian CEO, Lindsay Lyon says, “The reality is that our Australian beaches are very safe, particularly for the general population swimming between the flags at patrolled beaches. However, if your diving or surfing then definitely consider using an Ocean Guardian, Powered by Shark Shield Technology, don’t take the risk, think of it like driving without a seatbelt.”
 
About Ocean Guardian:
In 2018, the Shark Shield company became Ocean Guardian®. The change of name reflects our bigger ambition - to replace shark nets and drum lines globally - to make you safe whatever you enjoy doing in the Ocean, while also protecting marine life. Ocean Guardian, powered by Shark Shield Technology, is the world’s only scientifically proven and independently tested electrical shark deterrent. Government approved and developed over two decades of research, Ocean Guardian’s patented technology creates a powerful three-dimensional electrical field, which causes safe but unbearable spasms in shark’s short-range electrical receptors, turning sharks away - including Great Whites. Nothing is more effective.