I was there a week and a half ago on Oak Island.We have property in the area of the attack.My husband is the swimmer but we know enough to not swim at dawn or dusk or swim near a pier or anyone fishing.The water In that area is very murky but it is unusual for this area to have any kind of attack let alone back to back.There is a lot of fishing from the pier and fishing from the beach at dusk.You often see fishermen pulling in sharks that they hooked from the pier that are feeding on bait fish.
We went to St.Augustine,Fl. Last year and was on the pier at dusk watching a shark swim up and down the pier feeding and of course there were surfers next to the pier well the shark ended up swimming right behind a young surfer that strayed very close to the pier and was maybe 20 feet behind him.My husband yelled "shark" and pointed the kid high tailed to the shore and sat for awhile.Now the shark was not after the surfer but could have mistaken him for food.The next day we went to the pier at dusk and saw the shark swimming up and down the pier again.
The attack that happened on Oak Island away from the pier could have been near fishing from the shore because at the end of the day there I see these guys with their carts and rods hitting the beach to fish at sunset.I am not sure my husband will be back in that water,I never liked it because the water is so dark,give me the clear blue waters of Panama City were I can see what I am swimming with.
I heard the victims are from surrounding area and not tourist,I pray they will adapt to this new situation,how traumatic.OAKI .
Thank you for this informative info. It is appreciated since you know the locality.
This is JMO on ocean swimming.
When I was young I had no problem swiming in the ocean and would go way out deep. I loved it.
As I got older and learned what kinds of creatures live in the ocean I have to admit I dont go out very far at all now. I usually just walk in to my knees and I wear good water shoes even then. Sometimes I may do some very close to beach body surfing but thats about it.
I just dont want to risk it anymore. My feeling is that the creatures live there and I dont so of course they are going to try to eat to stay alive. When they get hungry they have to eat and they dont know better. Its not like the sharks are saying....Theres a mean old human, lets get him. LOL
I miss swimming in the ocean as I used to truly enjoy it. And I still dont mind going in the water so long as i stay very close to beach. If I ever get to visit Hawaii then I may risk it again deeper as I would love to body surf some nice waves there.
Its a calculated risk and each person has to make their own choice how much risk they want to take on to enjoy the ocean swimming.
My best advice for staying safe is to always wear those water shoes. They are great. The flexible tight ones that snug your feet and have rubber hard soles.
Instead of sharks, I actually get more worried about stepping on a horshoe crab or a stingray.
Those shoes are helpful.
The other thing to stay safe is to keep a good eye out on the water around you as much as possible. Always be looking and watching for fins or shadows in water. If you spot anything at all, go the other way. LOL
And like was suggested avoid very early in morning and close to dark. Those are the 2 times feeding of fish is more likely. All fisherman know that the best "bite" is those 2 times. So try to swim mainly during the middle of the day.
The other thing I like to do is stay near other people. Safety in numbers is true and it works. It also gives you some odds that if a shark does come in others will see it and let you know. More eyes to help look for things.
If you ever watch a herd of wild animals feed, there is always 1 or 2 watching while others eat. Animals us the safety in numbers thing a lot.
Another good tip is like was already mentioned too. Avoid swimming near where someone is fishing. They are throwing bait in the water with their fishing poles so the last thing you want to do is swim near that.
As far as what color to wear I am not sure what is best. Its either be flashy or dont be flashy. Maybe being neutral colors is best. You really dont want to stand out and you dont want to be black like a seal. So being Neutral is best.
Hope some of this helps others.