Defensive Detecting in the Water

[Sir Gala Clad]

Pilots use check lists to visually inspect their aircraft before taking off so they know the condition of the aircraft and their equipment before taking off. They also practice simulations of possible problems/situations they may encounter while flying so that they know what to do and not panic.

A possible scenario for detecting in shallow water is:
You are wading in waist deep water, approximately thirty feet from shore, near a manned life guard station. There are sunbathers on the beach as it is a beautiful day and the sun is not to hot.
The sea is calm, there are light currents, water visibility is poor.
While retrieving coins/rings, you notice the tip of an exposed fin slicing through the water near you.
What would you or should you do?

 

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[Randyg12]

I don't know what I'd do but remember this "there is always a shark out there with a sense of humor"

 

[Randyg12]

Don't take this wrong but "Are you out of your mind" . I wouldn't have to play dead because I'd be dead from a heart attack.

The best defense is to play dead. Float on your back and they will just nudge you a throw your body around like a beach ball. Stay calm and they will move on.

sent from a sending device

 

[Jackalope]

Sharks won't attack if it's posted a "shark free zone".

However, if a shark disobeys and removes a limb or two the swimmer will be fined for illegally feeding the wildlife.

Since sharks are endangered species and you are armless and legless now, you can at least feel good knowing your donations are helping to feed the planet.

It's also heartwarming to remember that every limb you lose keeps one baby sea turtle alive. Keeping the ocean water around you red is keeping the planet green.

Captain Planet

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

I truely wish that I used a better title, looking back " Defensive Detecting in the water seems a little lame/tame". Or that I was better able to communicate so that there were more views and especially more replys, from shallow water hunters and divers.

This thread was not meant to be an exercise in Trivia.
If you have been monitoring shark attacks in North Carolina, you may have noticed my scenario was based on the Jul 02 attack on a man in his 60s at Ocracoke Island, North Carolina (the seventh such attack in the state this year). Updated report(s) reveal that the man was swimming outside the first breaker when he came upon a 6 to 7 foot gray shark. The shark pulled the man underwater, and the swimmer sustained bites to his rib cage, hip, lower leg, and both hands as he tried to fight the shark off.
"There was a big trail of blood from the water to the sand", according to a witness of this attack.

The purpose of this posting, is not to scare , but get you to think about what you should do, may be able to do, or can do, depending on your capability and experience in the water.

Pilots use check lists to visually inspect their aircraft before taking off so they know the condition of the aircraft and their equipment before taking off. They also practice simulations of possible problems/situations they may encounter while flying so that they know what to do and not panic.

This update differs from the below scenario in that the attack most likely occurred in deeper than waist deep water as the victim was swimming, not wading, and the water was most likely clearer. "Also, the victim did not see it comming".



A possible scenario for detecting in shallow water is:
You are wading in waist deep water, approximately thirty feet from shore, near a manned life guard station. There are sunbathers on the beach as it is a beautiful day and the sun is not to hot.
The sea is calm, there are light currents, water visibility is poor.
While retrieving coins/rings, you notice the tip of an exposed fin slicing through the water near you.
What would you or should you do?

 

[RustyGold]

I would use my scoop on his nose!

 

[Captain Caveman]

How come all the detectors in these fictional situations were either Excals or Sand Sharks? How come none of these fictional folks had CZ20s? I have a CZ20 and feel left out!

 

[sandswimmer]

Might be a little cumbersome , But here's your best defense....LOL

 

[BigWaveDave]

No worries for me, my sports teams have all won in my lifetime, kids on their own... and wife and family will be well taken care of.

Coolest thing would be all my people on Tnet be like ..."I KNEW THAT GUY!!!!"

 

[G.I.B.]

How come all the detectors in these fictional situations were either Excals or Sand Sharks? How come none of these fictional folks had CZ20s? I have a CZ20 and feel left out!

CZ20's are a vegetarian and chick detectors.

These are MAN eating MEAT eating sharks.

(respectfully submitted of course)

 

[The Urban Prospector]

Pull out my pistol and shoot it.

 

[Swaveab]

Seems to me if you forgot your digging tool that could double as a weapon against it, your goose may be cooked so you might as well scan him with your detector to see if he swallowed anything valuable.

 

[Jackalope]

Well, I for one am no longer going to wear my turtle suit while detecting. Can't be too careful around sharks.

 

[DewGuru]

As a seasoned charter fisherman on the gulf ... The biggest sharks we ever caught came just offshore from the beach.
As a seasoned detectorist on the gulf, i've had them follow me from chest depth into ankle depth, with scoop in front.
The bullsharks are the most inquisitive, and the most apt to detach your joints. Just the chance we take.

 

[Sandman]

I know of no studies of sharks being attracted to the frequencies given off by detectors. But maybe if bothered by a shark checking you out we could try turning the detector off.

 

[G.I.B.]

i've had them follow me from chest depth into ankle depth, with scoop in front.

Are they using the Leg Grabber 2000 scoop or something homemade?

 

[fongu]

I tried to get my 84 year old Mama to go to the river in case any gators were around, but she wouldn't hear about it. Who's going to protect me? Got anywhere from 3 weeks to 7 weeks before I am able to hit the water again so I'll worry about it then. GL & HH and stay safe in the surf and freshwater everybody.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

It's the same in the water as out, be aware of what's in your surrounding area.
Even if you turn off your detector your body has electrical impulses of it's own.
I'm gonna keep an eye on it and poke it with my scoop if it gets too close...as I back away, toward shore.

I have been on Cape Cod years ago, not detecting, in neck deep water (farthest one out) when the life guard blew his whistle yelling to get out of the water there was a shark. I turned and saw a fin 30 feet further out from me. I have never ran/swam so fast in my life. We were all out of the water for an hour while 3 small boats tried the "heard" the shark out of the area.