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Man Frees Wife from Croc’s Jaws
by
findingDulcinea Staff
A man saved his wife from a crocodile attack by poking it in the eyes. Research shows there is an optimum tactic to use whenever wild animals attack.
30-Second Summary
Thirty-six-year-old Wendy Petherick was standing at a riverbank in the remote Northern Territory of Australia when the 2.5-metre crocodile grabbed her leg and pulled her into the water, reports The Guardian.
She called for her husband, Norm Moreen, who sprung into action and succeeded in freeing her from its grip.
The incident highlights the importance of knowing the proper methods of protection against wild animal attacks.
Experts recommend running away from alligators and crocodiles, as they will only chase a human for about 30 feet. If attacked, a bump on the snout or playing dead is the best course of action. At least, that is what the South Florida Sun-Sentinel advises.
Contrary to popular opinion, hitting a shark on its nose is not the most effective response during an attack, according to survival Web site Worst Case Scenarios. Instead, poking its eyes and gills is the best way to fend off a shark.
The International Wolf Center recommends that people approached by wolves should make noise and flail their arms to appear larger.
A recent report said bear spray is by far the most effective method of protection in a bear attack. Sprays were 90 percent effective in 72 bear attacks, significantly outperforming rifles. And that way both bear and person is left unharmed.
She called for her husband, Norm Moreen, who sprung into action and succeeded in freeing her from its grip.
The incident highlights the importance of knowing the proper methods of protection against wild animal attacks.
Experts recommend running away from alligators and crocodiles, as they will only chase a human for about 30 feet. If attacked, a bump on the snout or playing dead is the best course of action. At least, that is what the South Florida Sun-Sentinel advises.
Contrary to popular opinion, hitting a shark on its nose is not the most effective response during an attack, according to survival Web site Worst Case Scenarios. Instead, poking its eyes and gills is the best way to fend off a shark.
The International Wolf Center recommends that people approached by wolves should make noise and flail their arms to appear larger.
A recent report said bear spray is by far the most effective method of protection in a bear attack. Sprays were 90 percent effective in 72 bear attacks, significantly outperforming rifles. And that way both bear and person is left unharmed.
Headline Link: ‘Man Saves Wife from Crocodile by Poking Its Eyes’
Petherick suffered eight puncture wounds in her right thigh, a puncture wound in her left thigh and a severe cut to her finger after the attack, which occurred in Litchfield National Park. Police and hospital officials called her husband, who escaped with only minor scratches, a hero. Authorities said the incident was the fourth close call involving a crocodile this year in the Northern Territory.
Source: The Guardian
Related Topics: Gator, croc, shark, wolf and bear defense
Alligators and Crocodiles
If an alligator comes charging, the recommended course of action is to run away in a straight line. It will only run after a human for 30 feet. If the alligator manages to chomp down on you, hit it on the nose rather than try to pry its jaws open. Travel site Bugbog gives the same advice, in addition to playing dead, for defense against crocodiles.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sharks
Although shark attacks are very rare, beach enthusiasts can minimize their chances of encountering them if they stay in groups while in the water, as sharks prefer to go after solitary prey. Swimming in water with lower underwater visibility, such as swimming at night or in water clouded with sand, gives sharks a sensory advantage over humans and should be avoided. High-contrast swimsuits and flashy jewelry can attract sharks, as the color scheme reminds them of fish, their natural prey. Blood stimulates sharks’ smell, so swimming with open cuts is inadvisable.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History
The best way to scare a shark is to fight back, using anything at arm’s reach—a camera, a stick or a fist—to hit it repeatedly in its eyes and gills, the most sensitive part of its face. Unless the eyes or gills cannot be reached, a shark’s snout is not the optimum place to strike in order to fend it off.
Source: Worst Case Scenarios
A kayaker’s best course of defense against a shark is to whack its snout with a paddle, writes TopKayak.org. Should the kayak topple, keep hold of the paddle, get back into the boat, and row quickly as possible to shore. If getting back aboard is impossible, kayakers should back up against something to limit the shark’s direction of attack.
Source: TopKayaker.net
Wolves
The International Wolf Center writes in a PDF that the best way to scare off wolves is to raise and wave the arms to give the appearance of being larger. Making noise and throwing objects at the wolf while slowly backing away is also helpful.
Source: International Wolf Center (PDF format)
When bears attack, sprays work best
"The probability is the bear spray will outperform a firearm and it's easy to see why. The spray is easy to deploy. The rifle is just difficult to use,” says Brigham Young University biologist Tom Smith.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune
Smith says that sprays give humans a way to defend themselves in a manner that does not depend on size for effectiveness. “Having seen bears with porcupine quills in their faces, I'm sure that most bears learn at an early age that size is not a good indicator of threat,” he says.
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Source: Science Daily
Reference: Animal safety while on vacation
The National Parks Service has a tip sheet on bear safety in Alaska. Words of advice include leaving pets at home during camping trips, disposing of food scraps and wearing a bell when hiking to make noise.
Source: National Parks Service
FindingDulcinea has a guide to family travel safety, including links to first aid advice while on the road.
Source: findingDulcinea
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