Shark attacks in NC - wwyd?

[Anonymous]

The third attack was 2 beaches up, in Ocean Isle.

We are booked for a family reunion in Oak Island in July and now I dont know what to do. The house we rented is near the beach but doesn't have a pool to swim in. My kids are elementary age and won't be content in ankle deep water.

Seriously rethinking trip.

Even if it's rare, I will be a basket case if my kids go past their knees. Nightmares at night, etc.

[Anonymous]

Considering you will be in the same area, plus the fact that two attacks have recently occurred, it makes no sense to go in the water.

Sadly, the victims were on vacation too and both lost limbs. They both were young kids too. So tragic.

Let your kids know that you value safety and that considering these attacks just happened, it would be wise to swim in the pool during your trip.

It's always much better to be safe vs. sorry later on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are far, far, far more likely to be killed or seriously injured during your drive to NC than by a shark. Do you stop driving every time you hear about a car accident?

False equivalance. You're comparing overall rates, not the greater odds being discussed here, with actual shark attacks happening in shallow water within a few miles of OP's destination. The fact that, generally speaking, there are fewer shark attacks than car accidents is irrelevant to this conversation.

I'm with you and your mom, OP.

[Anonymous]

I would so not go in the ocean. Kids would be confined to pools and the sand.

[Anonymous]

Do you people know nothing about sharks? The attacks happened between 4 and 7 pm. Prime feeding time. Avoid going in the water when sharks are looking for food. Ocean 101

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the way the media is hyping this. Posting stories with pics of Great Whites. Yes, it's scary and something to take note of. But, let's calm down. You're more likely to die on the car ride to the beach.

As for the poor kiddos who were bitten, I would note that the pictures show a pier not very far from where they were pulled out of the water (and thus were presumably swimming). Unfortunately, those ares tend to form natural reefs and people fish/chum off many piers. All of these things attract sharks to the areas around it. Not everyone knows of, remembers, or thinks about these things (I know I often don't and probably should). Who knows if this shark was drawn to the immediate area by the pier or not. But, that's my theory.

The pier has nothing to do with it. If you are in the ocean there are sharks near you. No ifs, ands, or buts. If you had an photo from above, you would be shocked at how many.

Yet, you have survived, as have a bazillion other swimmers, with no issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you people know nothing about sharks? The attacks happened between 4 and 7 pm. Prime feeding time. Avoid going in the water when sharks are looking for food. Ocean 101

And of course those are precisely the best hours on the beach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider sticking to the pool, but would also be watching the news and talking to the lifeguards to figure out the potential risk.

I don't think most of the beaches on that area have lifeguards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The third attack was 2 beaches up, in Ocean Isle.

We are booked for a family reunion in Oak Island in July and now I dont know what to do. The house we rented is near the beach but doesn't have a pool to swim in. My kids are elementary age and won't be content in ankle deep water.

Seriously rethinking trip.

Even if it's rare, I will be a basket case if my kids go past their knees. Nightmares at night, etc.

Did a google, not seeing anything about a 3rd attack, have a link? This is all I am finding is articles like this: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/shark-attack-victims-were-in-waist-deep-water-north-carolina-officials-say/

[Anonymous]

Some facts:

The sharks that are responsible for these attacks are in all likelihood Bulls. They are NOT to be trifled with. They have poor eyesight, frequent shallow waters, and are very aggressive in nature. They are also plentiful in the warmer waters along the east coast. They have been known to follow rescuers of victims, trying to get their 'meal' back. Great Whites love colder waters and love seals, which is why surfers are often attacked off the California coast. Cape Cod is also frequented by Whites (more ocean side than bay side), but you'll notice the rarity of attacks there. Whites have excellent eyesight and are more discerning about their victims. There are very few surfers on the Cape (Wellfleet being a bit of an exception) and people are discouraged from swimming near the seals in Chatham. With Whites, common sense helps. With Bulls? Harder.

From what I understand, there were indeed fishermen in the area and therefore, in at least one case, some chum in the water. Even without chum, a fish on a line sends out distress vibrations and will attract sharks.

Sharks like to attack an isolated victim. Have your kids stay in groups and not separate.

The PP who spoke of dusk and dawn re: feeding times is accurate. Avoid swimming during those times.

Sharks tend to feed between dunes, and around areas where they know food is a given. So the PP who spoke of the pier nearby where fishermen gather is accurate.

[Anonymous]

That's between reefs, not dunes - sorry. No land sharks in the Carolinas

[Anonymous]

^^^^ AAUUUGHHH - sand BARS! Good Lord, I need more COFFEE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The third attack was 2 beaches up, in Ocean Isle.

We are booked for a family reunion in Oak Island in July and now I dont know what to do. The house we rented is near the beach but doesn't have a pool to swim in. My kids are elementary age and won't be content in ankle deep water.

Seriously rethinking trip.

Even if it's rare, I will be a basket case if my kids go past their knees. Nightmares at night, etc.

Did a google, not seeing anything about a 3rd attack, have a link? This is all I am finding is articles like this: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/shark-attack-victims-were-in-waist-deep-water-north-carolina-officials-say/

This is the first incident: http://abcnews.go.com/US/13-year-injured-reported-shark-attack-north-carolina/story?id=31702519

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you people know nothing about sharks? The attacks happened between 4 and 7 pm. Prime feeding time. Avoid going in the water when sharks are looking for food. Ocean 101

I saw a local official being interviewed there, and he said he'd stay out of the water after 4:30 pm. I'd follow that advice. Enjoy the beach in the morning, have a picnic lunch, then head back to wherever you're staying for the late afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would consider sticking to the pool, but would also be watching the news and talking to the lifeguards to figure out the potential risk.

I don't think most of the beaches on that area have lifeguards.

Really? Are they public beaches? With no lifeguards? Wow, that's crazy.