Due to a fatal injury sustained by a great white attack in April, lifeguards patrolling San Diego beaches are developing a shark response manual. The aim of the new initiative is to provide uniform policies that address shark encounters. The lack of a policy is due to the rarity of shark attacks.

The April attack was apparently a mistake, because the animal – estimated to be anywhere from 12 to 17 feet in length – attacked once without pursuing further. The shark was probably expecting more suitable marine prey such as a pinniped, and pinnipeds were reported swimming in the area at the time of the fatal encounter. The victim died from a “single giant bite across both legs in the ocean”. The incident was considered a freak accident due to the sheer infrequency of shark attacks. From NBC Sandiego.com, CA:

Lerma said the Solana Beach attack, which took the life of triathlete Dr. David Martin, was an eye-opener, even if it was a freak accident. And it served as a wake-up call to get a uniform policy in place to deal with sharks.

Lifeguards said they have been getting more sightings this summer, but they said usually it turns out to be something else, like a dolphin or a seal. One of the things on which the action plan focuses is what kind of questions to ask.

See more Shark Week on The Conservation Report