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The best way to survive the attack of a shark is to avoid it. So don’t swim in any waters where sharks are likely to also swim and certainly don’t swim where there’s low visibility and/or no lifeguard on duty. Also remember that sharks feed at night.

If you must swim where sharks are known to exist, don’t swim alone. Do not wear bright colors in the water. The kind of food that sharks are attracted to tends to be silver, white, or yellow, so don’t wear jewelry either, since that can have the same reflective effect and attract sharks. Don’t swim in commercial fishing areas. If you spot shoals of small, silver fish in the water, there are likely to be sharks watching the same shoal. Likewise, the presence of birds in the water or swooping into it is a sign that the shark’s favorite food is around. Sharks have a highly developed sense of smell and can detect blood and waste matter from miles away. Don’t swim if you’re bleeding, and definitely do not pass body waste into the water. Even if you spot a shark nearby, control your bodily functions.

If you are attacked by a shark, make a lot of noise and splash heavily. Some authorities recommend shouting underwater. Despite what you might think, lying “dead” in the water will attract a shark to bite you. Swim fast and messily and change direction suddenly — sharks are like tankers in that they can’t change direction as quickly as they’d like (which is why dolphins often get the better of them). If you’re with people, bunch together and all kick or punch at the approaching shark. If you have a knife on you, aim it at the shark’s eyes or gills. Of course, because none of us ever has the sharp knife we need when we need it, you can punch or gouge at the shark’s eyes — that is, if you have the nerve to face it. Swimming away from the shark is the best course of action, even if you’ve been bitten.

Whatever happens, keep moving, making a noise, and try to attract the attention of others — and never, ever, give up.