Are there many sharks in the water?

We will abe coming to spend a week in Edisto in mid May. I noticed in a post that someone advised me not to let my kids swim in the water because of the danger that sharks present. Is this accurate? We were in Hilton Head last year and were surprised that we saw almost noone in the water submerged. Is this why? We are from the midwest and our idea of a beach is Lake Michigan so excuse my ignorance. Again, should we have our kids stay out of the water?

Thanks,

Beth

Are there many sharks in the water?

It is good to be alert, and to check locally for any recent reports of shark sitings. Sharks are everywhere in the ocean, and they go where the food is. Fortunately, humans are not on their normal diet, and they do not hang out around beaches looking for people. Millions of people enjoy the water every year and never see a shark.

Some useful cautions: If you are in an area where there are the large schools of little fish, there may be a shark around. Also, don%26#39;t swim around areas where fishermen and actively catching fish. Don%26#39;t wear sparkling jewelry or bathing suits that might make you look like a fish to the shark. Avoid the water very early in the morning and in the evening when sharks are more likely to be feeding.

It%26#39;s probably an old wives tale, but - when I lived in Florida as a little kid - we used to say that if you see lots of dolphins, there are probably no sharks. For some reason, sharks seem scared by the much smarter dolphins who gang up to torment a stupid shark if they spot one competing for their dinner. The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (of which you will see many at Edisto) is truly your best friend in the water!

Are there many sharks in the water?

That is an old wives tale about the dolphins. Dolphins eat fish just as sharks do, so if Dolphins are around there are probably schools of fish, which would attract sharks.

That being said.....

I wouldn%26#39;t be afraid to go in the water in South Carolina (however, I wouldn%26#39;t get in the ocean in Daytona beach or New Smyrna Beach). Shark bites are very rare here. I would just observe the safety suggestions of the above poster and have a great time. Enjoy our beautiful sunshine and beaches!

Times to be on extra alert--dawn and dusk. This seems to be shark feeding time.

As someone else posted, sharks are in the water all the time. It is their habitat we humans are invading.

Do a quick search on the internet for sharks, especially sharks and SC coast. Make you and your children aware (not frightened). Remember the number of sharks to ';attacks%26#39; on humans is quite small.

I would be more worried about my children getting caught in a rip current than about their being attacked by a shark. A storm way out at sea can create bad currents even on shallow beaches. Stay informed about current conditions.

Also, minor emergencies, like stepping on a sharp broken shell or getting a mild jellyfish sting, occur everyday at the beach.

The general safety rules that apply in the Great Lakes apply to the ocean as well. I would never have allowed by children to go into the ocean alone when they were little. Now that they are grown and strong swimmers, I still watch from the beach when ever they are in the water. My eye is always scanning the horizon for a shark fin, or anything else that doesn%26#39;t look quite right.

Also, no one - even a strong adult swimmer - should swim in the dark or during a storm. Clear the beach if you see lightning or hear thunder.

I have been swimming in the ocean all of my life, as have my kids. There is nothing like the feeling of a saltwater swell lifting you up or carrying you to the beach as it breaks. Be cautious and alert, but enjoy the water.

I have been going to Edisto Beach seversl times a year for the past 15 years and have never heard of a shark attack there. While it is not an impossibility, I would be more concerned about being careful of the currents (rip currents are far more frequent than shark attacks). Let your children enjoy the water but stay out if the surf is rough or the local TV stations talk about dangerous currents in the weather reports.

My guess is that if you visited HHI mi mid May last year most people were not in the water due to the water temperature. Mid May water temps (high 60s, maybe 70) are usually still too chilly for us natives. My neighbor has a condo at HHI and says that he never goes into the water before June as it is just too cold for him any earlier.

On another subject, do be wary of any alligators you may see in the lagoons %26amp; ponds. May is mating season for them (which makes them more aggressive), so give the gators a wide berth. Leave them alone, and they will leave you alone.