[Dangerous sharks in tropical seas].
Sightseeing travel in tropical zones is a growing industry. The risks incurred by travelers depend on the destination, duration of stay, individual behavior, and type of leisure activity. Water sports expose visitors to encounters with dangerous marine animals. Shark attacks are rare but always serious occurrences. Divers should handle any shark, regardless of size, with due precaution. Prevention of shark attack depends on avoiding encounters by not attracting the attention of the shark and knowing the proper attitude to adopt in case an encounter should occur. Active and passive protection can be used, but each method has advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation. Rescue operations are difficult due to the gravity of injuries and their occurrence in a marine environment. This along with the nature of the aggressor explain that many attacks are immediately fatal. Wounds are often deep with involvement of bone, blood vessels, and nerves. A possible source of complication in survivors is infection, which can involve uncommon microorganisms associated with bacteria in sharks mouth or marine environment.
Maslin
J
J
Service de Biologie Médicale, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées A. Laveran, Marseille, France. maslin_j@yahoo.com
Menard
G
G
Drouin
C
C
Pollet
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012754:Sharks / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate