Don't Get Eaten and Other Rules for Shark Diving

Don't Get Eaten. It's the first rule in shark diving, and we have a system to protect us….let's dive in to find out how.
One of the most common questions and criticisms we get is - “You're putting yourself in grave danger.” “You must have a death wish.” “The Shark will eat you.” People also ask “Why are the sharks so relaxed?”
The explanation in a moment - but let's start with this: these animals are undoubtedly dangerous. Shark diving is an inherently hazardous activity. I'll explain the critical reason why some of us do it in a moment, but first, let's address how we can dive safely with these apex predators.
In all the footage I've shared, the divers remain stationary and relaxed. They don't chase or harass the sharks. Crucially, they maintain eye contact with the sharks, ensuring the animals know they've been spotted. If a shark were to sneak on us from behind, that would be extremely dangerous. That's why we operate as a buddy team, constantly communicating and pointing out the sharks' locations.
These sharks don't want to expend excess energy attacking something unfamiliar and uncertain. Additionally, look at the other fish in the area. The sharks know these fish are aware of their presence, so they can't ambush them stealthily - for that matter - the fish know it too - so they’re here… but I’m sure they always have one eye on the shark - so to speak. Again, the sharks are merely investigating this situation out of curiosity where did the smell of food come from? That’s in the silver box - no bait no sharks. Humans have killed most of the large sharks in the ocean - why would they want to have anything to do with us anyway!
Now, let's introduce the stars of the show:
Caribbean Reef Sharks - These sharks hang out in the midwater column, waiting for any bait that might drift their way. They fade into the background…
Lemon Sharks - These larger sharks linger near the bottom, hoping for any bait that sinks down. I keep a close eye on them; I don't want to risk getting nipped by a lemon shark. They aren’t like a tiger shark.. but they could inflict a lot of damage. Again, if you leave them alone, they should leave you alone.
Tiger Sharks - the big fish - our safety depends on knowing their locations at all times. If the water is murky, hampering visibility, we return to the boat immediately. If a diver loses track of a tiger shark's whereabouts or gets distracted repeatedly, that diver must surface and re-board the vessel. You must remain vigilant at all times. This is how we keep these dives as safe as possible.
Again, please remember - we cannot make any guarantees regarding the sharks' behavior. These are wild animals. The reason we do this is to demonstrate that, with professional guidance and controlled conditions, we can observe and interact with these animals responsibly. However, they remain unpredictable wild creatures - but anything can happen underwater. The goal in all this… is to bring back images… that make people appreciate these sharks… and hopefully want to help protect them. I’ve also got to say that some of the highlights of my life have been right here at Tiger Beach.
My philosophy is to treat every dive as if it's the first. I constantly strive to be a better shark diver because my life and the lives of others may depend on it. There is just no room for complacency.
The first rule of shark diving is... don't get eaten.
keep those comments and questions coming in below…
Right now you should check out what it’s like to dive at night with sharks in this video…

[@jaybeep6083]

I have done extensive research on the topic and I can tell you with a high degree of certainty and confidence that you are living what is referred to as the life !

[@spaceshark]

Thank you - I like to tell people I didn’t choose to help with ocean conservation - the ocean picked me! Working with sharks and shark content is all I want to do.

[@Hundert1]

But there's no telling when the sharks might change their minds. 😉

[@spaceshark]

Yes we take nothing for granted

[@vickyohams3464]

Because of the wild in them still remain with them,born and raised in the wild ​@@spaceshark

[@Letseatdinner]

Youre doing a very admirable job that you certainly don’t get enough appreciation for, but I hope your journey takes you where you want to be and that your work does valuable things for the planet

[@CrunchyCelery]

Anyone tell you that your voice has the same timber of Casey Kasem’s? He was a very well known radio DJ. Thank you for the video!

[@spaceshark]

When I was in journalism school... everyone called me "Casey Kasem" - I always thought he was an amazing talent - so I take as a complement - thank you! "And now, on with the countdown. :-)"

[@CrunchyCelery]

@@spaceshark Oh it IS a compliment! I bet you do a great Shaggy too. Congrats!

[@scouts8081]

Any one ever tell you that you look like Gary bussey

[@louisetodd7253]

I love sharks I e always been fascinated I get it’s easier to divert a tiger because of its shape,but does redirecting white sharks not do the same or is it not done because of there shape I’ve often always wondered this an nobody can answer it..thankyou for treating these amazing creatures with respect ❤❤

[@hedgehogshill3522]

Have heared professsional shark divers talk about sharks not actually being interested into eating humans. They are just corious how we taste so they try to get a little test bite. Showing them we arent food (by pushing their head away when they approach as an example) is enough to create a safe experience. But to do that u have to be cautious at any time ofcouource!

[@spaceshark]

After all we aren’t seafood 😀😀😀

[@BBCDDRMIX]

0:59 這時看到碰撞的鯊魚讓我感覺到可愛的感覺 排除他們進食的印象 現在的牠們真的很可愛🥰

[@scouts8081]

U are a shark too???

[@dianevcic6210]

Awesome video footage 💙💙💙💙

[@PrinceGeorge-ih1wt]

Hello dear how are you doing

[@PrinceGeorge-ih1wt]

Can I get your number please

[@ajulianaferr]

Come to Brazil. The best shark diving in the world is in Fernando de Noronha

[@DeanCassady]

Sharks are amazing creatures, I admire them, if I got chance, I would like to dance with them.

[@felipemarrou276]

amazing video!!!!

[@justin57153]

Fantastic footage tbh, but I still think this is very dangerous. The sharks are letting the divers live. If they all rushed, you're done. Humans don't "control" anything.

[@spaceshark]

We mitigate risk as much as we can but we are inherently doing something very dangerous. I treat every dive like the first dive - safety and protection of these animals are the primary goals.

[@user-yy8zy3gv9n]

У акулы во рту торчит крючок, но дайвер не смог его вытащить.

[@spaceshark]

we were able to pull it out...

[@Hundert1]

​@spaceshark but can shark diving be done totally and 100% guaranteed safely?

[@Tismesue]

1:15 What I've never really understood is, what happens when you have sharks approaching you from the front at the same time as one (or more) approaching you from the back? I know you have buddy systems, but i still see that happening. How do you deal with that?

[@spaceshark]

We've worked with 11 Tiger Sharks at once - the key is the current. The Tiger Sharks follow the current - and continue to circle - so we work up current. The place you cannot be is in what we call the "runway" because that's where the scent trail is and where the sharks are. The best way to think of it is a "V" - we are on the sides of the "V" and the sharks are in the center - with the bait at the base. Let me know if that answers your question... I could make a video to explain.

[@Tismesue]

@@spaceshark Brilliantly explained, thank you. I will look out for that. I think a video would be a great idea, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wondered that.

[@dianevcic6210]

I also have a question. Do you guys ever do shark diving tours like other diving companies do?

[@spaceshark]

Yes - Jim Abernethy SCUBA adventures

[@dianevcic6210]

@spaceshark 👍 Cool 😎 I would love to go shark diving one day. Hope may dream will come true. I always wanted to! 💙💙💙 That would be pretty awesome, mesmerizing and cool 😎 at the same time!l 😎 😀 💙💙💙 Thank you for letting me know about this. 🦈🦈🦈😍✌️👍

[@kevinlarson4464]

Did you get the hook out?

[@spaceshark]

Yes

[@kevinlarson4464]

@@spaceshark awesome very cool videos looks fun

[@chankuri793]

​@@spaceshark釣り針を外している様子を見たかったです。

[@devildogumarine1165]

And yes they will attack you......

[@spaceshark]

Sharks need to be protected for the health of our oceans - but when you’re in the water with them it’s their world no question - you can’t make any mistakes.

[@virgorising8123]

Finally someone who admits a shark will attack you. I hate when people say they won’t bother you just don’t splash like really now if he’s hungry or curious he’s gonna take a bite out your ass 😂

[@tonigannucci4927]

@@virgorising8123I think the main point is to understand that yes, they are apex predators, but they’re not monsters out hunting for humans. Doesn’t mean you can let down your guard. That’s all I’ve ever gotten out of these types of videos about sharks.

[@devildogumarine1165]

Now can you swim with him yeah can you pet them of course but make no mistake I don't sugarcoat things if you have one coming behind you you lose eye contact for a moment yeah they will try and nip at you and test the water make no mistake they're not stupid

[@spaceshark]

A shark’s job is to remove the dead, dying, diseased and dumb for the health of our oceans

[@tonigannucci4927]

@@spacesharkThat makes me wonder, like some other animals can, if sharks can smell cancer or other terminal illnesses in a human.

[@collectA4u]

Oh my God/gosh!!! I hope not.

[@veannegilchrist9925]

Tongue 👅

[@devildogumarine1165]

Wait a minute so you just said to show people what it's like okay so that means that you can take a nap in the water and sharks can come up behind you with no problem am I correct correct me if I'm wrong well wait a minute you just said if a shark sneaks up behind you that would be dangerous well how can it be dangerous if this you showing the sharks will not attack you so there is a life out there???? And the shark knows very well what he's doing so yes they are dangerous creatures and no you cannot sit on the bottom floor Indian style with a thousand sharks around with no problem correct????

[@spaceshark]

The shark’s job is to remove the dead, dying, diseased and the dumb. You can’t make any mistakes. I always emphasize that.

[@ericniesen1775]

Damn... if this is how intelligent our Marines are we are screwed 😂 literally the first three words of the video are 'don't get eaten', meaning sharks can and will attack you if given the opportunity... this video is teaching you how to mitigate or eliminate that opportunity... also, believe it or not sharks only live in water! Meaning they will only be around you if you *choose* to come inside their home. Hope this helps!

[@devildogumarine1165]

@@ericniesen1775 no because what you're saying doesn't make any sense basically you're showing the public that you can die with them sure anybody can do that The only reason why the tolerate you is because of the fact that they want to if one was hungry out of the bunch and didn't care either way it would take you out in a heartbeat and there's nothing you can do about it The whole point that I'm making make eye contact with the animal and yeah he'll swim away he will try to avoid you because he knows you're looking at him as if to say yeah I'm watching you too it's the same thing people do with door cores left open and someone sitting right in the front yard watching every person walking by it's for the honest man and that's exactly what's going on... I made staff sergeant I don't see a problem with it did you what rank did you graduate???

[@fatkidsarehardtokidnap]

​@@devildogumarine1165semper Fi, devil dog!

[@DonnaTobyne]

I by no No 8​@@ericniesen1775

[@justin57153]

I'm sorry, are you joking when you say, "humans have killed all the large sharks in the ocean, why would they want anything to do with us anyway"? It's not like a shark sees a human and thinks that... so I assume it's a tounge and cheek comment. WHEN (not if) someone gets bit or worse on one of these dives, it's because the shark wanted to, not because the human did something "wrong" that time. We make approximations and bet on that being the case... it's a gamble, always.

[@spaceshark]

It’s a fact that we’ve killed more than 95 percent of the large sharks in the ocean. We kill about 72 million more every year (sadly mostly for pet food now). The tipping point could be 2050. Sharks would be no where near us in clear water - unless we used something to bring them in. The point of these videos is that maybe more people will realize there are more to sharks than meets the eye and maybe want to protect them. These are wild animals I know the risks. I’ve been doing it for 20 years and will spend the rest of my life trying to protect them so they all don’t disappear. Thank you for your comments - it will make me more thoughtful in this work and how I try to communicate.

[@suzanne1430]

​@spaceshark, thank you for what you all do..💙💙

[@QueenB-ni9ny]

The sharks don't care about your rule no.1😂

[@vasilpeykov974]

❤⁰¹⁰😂😂😂❤❤😂

[@aalihte3378]

Shark attacks on people is RARE. And yeah its because of what we do. Either we put them in harm or we ride around on boogie boards looking like a seal. You have no idea how many sharks are in relatively shallow water..with people swimming just minding their own business. I remember once seeing santa monica beach from the air and there was a decent sized group of sharks just swimming among beach goers. No one was harmed either. Now im not saying id put myself knowingly in shark territory. I dont know enough to keep myself safe. But considering how many fatal car accidents there are, death by lightening, plane crashes ect..I have no worries about swimming with sharks i cant see.