Though JAWS scared the bejezus out of almost everybody and spread around the notion that sharks are grizzly agents of mindless revenge (this link possibly NSFW), they are, in fact, quite vulnerable to human activities (this doesn't make the prospect of being eaten alive while swimming any less scary). NOAA has some good fact sheets to help dispel what unreasonable fears you may have of these much maligned creatures, and if that doesn't do it, maybe this'll help.
posted by Pecinpah on Apr 20, 2006 - 20 comments

Shark Attack Victim Describes Survival Fight. The attack happened at Brennecke Beach in Hawii. There are presently around 70-80 Shark attacks each year. Over time there have been some notable survivers: Rodney Fox - who was almost bitten in half by a Great White, then went on to advise on the making of Jaws, and some Alabama guys who escaped after one of them hit the shark in the nose - to name a couple. However, there can't be many who have match this Hawaiin guys efforts. His fight technique was simply outstanding.
posted by RobertLoch on Mar 29, 2002 - 14 comments

Shark bites off boy's arm and it's reattached! I know it's a Yahoo! link, but this seems incredible. The boy's uncle wrestled the shark to the beach where it was shot and the limb was retrieved from the shark's mouth. Is there anything science and strong uncles can't do?
posted by megnut on Jul 8, 2001 - 18 comments