Shark Week: The top 5 things to do in case of a Great White Shark encounter

Great White Sharks are featured in Discovery Channel's
popular Shark Week programming

Underwater photographer and adventurer Amos Nachoum has dove with Great White Sharks all over the world - usually in a cage. To help celebrate Discovery Channel's Shark Week, he lists five thing to do (or not to do) when encountering a Great White shark in a cage: 

1 - Expect the shark to show up from the least expected direction...perhaps it's because divers are hindered by their mask or people are "frozen" out of fear, but typically divers tend to look exclusively in one direction where the bait is. Since sharks swim in a range of 360 degrees and have no limitations, they can surprise you. They make no noise, so there is no warning when they show up. You need to look all around you all the time!

2 - Forget buoyancy: You must be over-weighted so you can stand still in the ever shaking cage. Most cages are attached to the vessel at the surface, therefore with any motion of the waves and of the vessel causes the cage to shake twice as much like a leaf in the winter time. To stay balanced and move with the cage, you must be solid on your feet

3 - Hold your hands and fingers inside the cage: Either from the excitement or the lack of balance, the typical cage diver holds onto the cage bar with the desire to follow the shark as it pass by. Sharks sometimes come very close and brush against the cage. Anything exposed outside could be crushed between the shark's sandpaper like skin and the cage.

4 - if you want the shark to come close to you, be motionless and hold your breath - Great White Sharks are very aware of all movements around and in particular around the food or bait - they do not like to be surprised. They are patience hunters. A diver's bubbles often scares the sharks from coming closer.

5 - Be Polite With the Other Divers: Cage time and space are limited, therefore the more kind and considerate we are toward each other, the more enjoyable the experience and better are the viewing results. The sharks do not know the difference between one position or another and do not care who is the photographer or the viewer for the shark we are all equal. Take turns in the prime shooting or viewing position. This will ensure a safe and enjoyable Great White Shark experience for all.

Check out this earlier article on Amos Nachoum: Great White Shark memories

NOTE: Of course, Nachoum is talking here about Cage Diving with Great White Sharks. He's also prepared a list of tips for Great White Shark encounters OUTSIDE the cage. Watch for it!