If you have ever watched television, surfed the web, picked up a newspaper, been on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, spoken with your kids since last August, or if you have been to a Dunkin Donuts, then you know that today begins “Shark Week” on The Discovery Channel!

Although I am a huge fan of state, local, federal and religious holidays, birthdays, and even a fan of the Mets, Jets and Rangers (call ME a three time loser!),Shark Week is still my most favorite time of the year. It’s the time when families come together for hours on end; dinner is had in the living room with the TV on, kids are allowed to stay up late, folks put down their cell phones (except to tweet how frightened they are to watch The Discovery Channel) and not many children are conceived during this most exciting week of television!

So why all the excitement over sharks, and why are so many folks fascinated over a fish that has been around longer than the cockroach? Well, for one thing, most people who live along the states that border the North Atlantic aren’t really too concerned with shark attacks because they believe that Jaws “doesn’t live in my back yard.” Sorry, but with this attitude you’re likely to find yourself to be “chum” for others who are also non-believers. Tens of thousands of sharks flourish in the warmer months in this area from depths of three to fifteen feet, to the deeper waters many miles offshore. Although only about twenty of the world’s three hundred and fifteen species of shark are known to frequent this part of the Atlantic, many other types of sharks are also common visitors from the shores of Monmouth County up through Long Island and even as far north as Boston Harbor. For instance, New Jersey is the most common place to find a Mako Shark, and many Dogfish (another little known shark) are common in the Great South Bay of Long Island as they feed on small blue fish.

According to the “International Shark Attack File” (ISAF, yes, this really does exist!), there were 47 unprovoked shark attacks in the United States in 2013 and 72 unprovoked attacks worldwide. As a matter of fact, unprovoked shark attacks have steadily increased in numbers since 1900, with each decade having more attacks than the previous one. However, in all fairness to sharks, their dietary tastes have not changed over the years. As the ISAF explains, this number probably has more to do with the increasing amount of time humans spend in the ocean.

The ISAF goes on to explain that while the global population of humans continues to be on the rise, shark populations are actually declining due to over-fishing and loss of feeding grounds. The abundance of sharks in a particular geographic area is due more to meteorological and oceanographic conditions, which increases the risks of a close encounter of the Jaws kind. North American waters are still the most common location for a shark attack, making the United States more vulnerable for shark attacks.

While a shark attack is still extremely unlikely, any beach-goer should still be very careful. To reduce the possibility of a shark attack, there are certain precautions that the ISAF suggests:

• Always swim in a group, especially since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual;

• Avoid swimming in the dark or at twilight hours, as this is when sharks are most active and have a sensory advantage over humans;

• Do not wander too far from shore;

• Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound, as the blood attracts sharks;

• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry in the water, as the sheen from reflected light can resemble fish scales;

• Try to avoid murky waters or those being used by commercial fishermen;

• Be careful in areas between sandbars or near steep drop-offs, as sharks are more likely to frequent these waters;

• Do not go in the water if sharks are known to be present, and leave the water immediately if a shark sighting is reported;

• Do not, under any circumstances, harass or provoke a shark if you see one.

If you see a shark while you are in the water, stay calm and swim quickly but smoothly back to shore or deck. If the shark attacks, try to hit it on the nose with an object or your fist. If the shark bites, be as aggressive as you can and try to strike sensitive areas such as the eyes or gills. Playing dead will not help, as this just makes the shark’s only purpose in life (well, the other is “making little sharks”) easier. When the shark releases (good luck with that!), get out of the water as quickly as possible (trust me on this one!) as any blood in the water will likely encourage the shark, along with a plethora of his closest friends, to return and take another bite out of your butt. By the way, if you weren’t in the water in the first place, this whole plan of escape would most likely be moot.

While shark attacks are more uncommon than being fatally struck by lightning, the following states have reported the most unprovoked shark attacks from 1837 to 2013.

10. Alabama and New York – 8;

9. Georgia – 12;

8. New Jersey – 15;

7. Oregon – 26;

6. Texas – 38;

5. North Carolina – 48;

4. South Carolina – 77;

3. California – 110;

2. Hawaii – 129;

1. Florida – 687.

Why is Florida holding the dubious distinction of most unprovoked shark attacks in the United States? Well, with over 1,400 miles of coastline kissing warm ocean waters year-round, Florida averages approximately 21 attacks per year (from 2003-2012), and therefore experiences approximately 49% of the unprovoked attacks in the country.

Volusia County (east coast of Florida, in the Daytona Beach to the Cape Canaveral area) experiences the most attacks within the state of Florida, as the county has recorded more than a third of all of Florida’s shark-human attacks to date. This is mostly attributed to the fact that it is also one of the most highly visited beach areas in the state.

Hawaii is not too far behind Florida, with 13 attacks in 2013. This proved to be the highest total of attacks since 2012 (ten), and much higher than its ten-year annual average, which is just over four each year. Most shark attacks in Hawaii have occurred on the island of Maui, where four attacks were reported in 2013. Hawaii’s only fatal attack of 2013 was also reported from Maui—the first in Hawaii since 2004. The Big Island follows Maui with a reported four attacks in 2013, and single attacks were reported from Kauai and Oahu. So as you know from reading my column since the 33rd anniversary of the release of the film Jaws, everything I typically say relates back to this thing of ours, and my love and intrigue of sharks is no different.

Although not too many sharks that I know (except those who star in my other favorite television show, “Shark Tank”) carry personal injury insurance, it’s important to remember something when traveling abroad: that health insurance coverage may vary and that it’s imperative to remind your clients who may be traveling to other countries that they may or may not have coverage for certain types of injuries and related expenses to such injuries…shark attacks included.

For instance, according to a case described in “Insurance Marketing HQ” magazine, there was a very notable instance involving a Florida man who in 2010 visited a foreign country and was attacked (and lived to be a part of this insurance nightmare and ordeal) by a local shark.

As described in “Insurance Marketing HQ”, Luis Hernandez was swimming off a boat in the Bahamas when he was attacked by a shark that shredded his arm to pieces. Blessed to be saved by his wife who pulled him safely onto the boat, the man literally had to sit and wait, bleeding in a large transport plane while his credit card was run for $7,500, covering the cost of the medical evacuation. Also using his credit card, the shark-bitten man was able to pay an additional $13,000 for Bahamian medical care and transportation to a specialized U.S. hospital, but all told, Luis was on the hook for close to $700,000 in medical costs for surgery and recovery.

Facing financial ruin and reduced mobility with his arm, Luis followed all the protocols of his insurance company, which were extensive, and was able to recuperate his medical expenses while gaining 70% of his arm strength. Despite the somewhat happy ending, this whole scenario raises many questions about health insurance coverage when travelling out of the country. The fact is, not all health insurance plans operate the same when you leave the country.

Fortunately, the government has taken steps to provide information for those travelling abroad by creating the Travel.State.gov website. On its homepage the site states the following:

Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although many health insurance companies will pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. Medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.

Well, that’s all for now, as I have to prepare dinner for the opening of “Shark Week” later on this evening! So, until next time, stay out of the water and Ciao for now!

You’re Gonna Need a Bigger TV

Insurance Advocate