Does Swimming in an Australian Beach on a Period Attract Sharks?

Of course, you can swim in an Australian beach during your period! After all, life is your own, and Australia is a free society. However, knowing a shark's incredible ability to detect sources of blood, I insist you swim at the furthest end of the beach from where I am. As Stephen explains below, shark attacks are rare, and many attacks are caused by high-risk behavior, such as swimming in dark wetsuits near seal colonies where Great Whites patrol.

According to Steve, the probability of a shark attack is much higher when driving to the beach than while swimming. Most popular beaches in Australia are netted, not to keep sharks away, but to thin out the population of big sharks. Over almost 100 years, there have only been one or two fatal shark attacks at these netted beaches. So, does menstrual blood make you more attractive to a shark?

Sharks can detect tiny amounts of blood in the water, but they are generally stimulated to attack by visual cues or sensing vibrations. As clumsy swimmers, we can seem like panicked or injured fish or seals, which can trigger shark attacks. However, the menstrual blood is very minimal in quantity. In a vast ocean, a few drops of blood would be too insignificant to attract any sharks. Moreover, sharks are not lurking near the beaches as depicted in the movie 'Jaws.' Therefore, the probability of a shark attack is minimal during your period.

A Data-Driven Perspective

Is there any scientific evidence that supports your concerns? According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, between 2008 and 2017, 26 people were killed by sharks and other marine creatures. In contrast, cows and horses caused 77 deaths, which is more than crocodiles, snakes, and sharks combined. This data suggests that we should focus on other things that might kill us, such as mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are the largest killers, with far more deaths attributed to them than sharks.

So, should we simply ignore the fear of shark attacks and stop worrying? While sharks are a significant concern for coastal communities, the reality is that they pose a much smaller risk to swimmers than many other factors, such as drowning, traffic accidents, or animal attacks. The Australian government takes shark safety very seriously, and there are measures in place to minimize the risk, such as beach netting and shark spotting programs.

Conclusion

Swimming during your period in an Australian beach is safe, and there's very little chance of attracting sharks. The probability of a shark attack is exceedingly low, especially when compared to other risks you might face. So, relax and enjoy your swim!

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics: Fatal animal-related deaths (2008-2017)