28/01/2007, 02:54 AM
Quote:IT might be a punch on the nose, a jab in the eye or just the whistle of a happy tune.
They are simple tactics - but they can be life-savers when wild animals attack.
Australian diver Eric Nerhus is recovering after surviving a close encounter with one of the world's deadliest predators.
He managed to fend off a Great White Shark by jabbing it in the eye - its most sensitive spot.
The shark had Nerhus's head, shoulders and right arm in its mouth. But it spat him out after he used his free armto poke its eye.
His quick thinking - and the fact he knew where to hurt the shark most - saved the 41-year-old's life.
But how well would the rest of us fare if wee came up against man-eaters like lions, bears or crocodiles?
Here are some tried and tested tips:
SHARKS
IF you come across a shark while diving, head to the sea bed to reduce his angles of attack.
If the worst happens and you have to take him on, never play dead as he will have you for dinner.
Instead, fight with all your energy and hit him as hard as you can on the nose, in the eyes, or the gills, all of which are vulnerable parts.
A high-frequency transmitter is a good weapon as it releases sound waves to chase sharks off.
BEARS
MAKE noise while you walk, such as singing, whistling or talking.
This warns the bear you are there and it will usually leave you alone.
If you come face to face with one, never turn and run as it will chase you - and bears can out-run, out-climb and out-swim humans.
Instead, face up to it without making eye contact, which they see as a challenge, and slowly back off.
If you are attacked, you should fight, scream, yell, and be as aggressive as possible.
If it hits you, play dead, adopt the foetal position, put your hands around the back of your neck and hope for the best.
Anti-bear pepper spray can disorientate or scare the beasts off.
CROCODILE
THE advice surrounding a crocodile attack is similar to that of a shark - fight back with all you've got.
You should aim for the eyes, or the nose, or, if it is about to chow down, reach your arm inside its throat and grab the flap at the back which keeps the water out.
Another option is to somehow keep its mouth firmly closed. Not an easy option, unless you're Paul Hogan.
Running or swimming to get away is usually futile.
LIONS
WITH big African lions, the best advice is to prevent an attack in the first place.
Stay well away from their dens and make regular noises to keep them away.
If a lion attacks, it's worth trying to fight back and hit it with anything you have to hand.
But your chances are pretty slim.
Smaller mountain lions or cougars, which are found in America, are warded off by noise, so make plenty of it and stay in large groups.
If you see one, back off and throw sticks or stones. But never crouch down or turn your back as this invites attack.
Try to appear big by raising arms and opening out your jacket or shirt.
TIGERS
THE stripy cats will usually not attack if you are facing them.
As a result, locals in jungle areas of India often wear face masks on the back of their head to convince the animals they have eyes on them.
In the Sundarbans tiger reserve in Bangladesh, the masks are compulsory.
SNAKES
PYTHONS can be one of the deadliest creatures on the planet if they get a hold of you.
They can g row to 35 feet and they are able to crush their prey in a vice-like grip.
Thankfully, they can only move at one mile per hour on land, so a quick sprint should get you out of danger.
WALRUS
THE huge creatures are among the most powerful predators in the sea.
Many people have been killed by the beasts after being mistaken for a seal.
Legendary Scots wildlife cameraman Doug Allan managed to survive when he was attacked by a walrus by punching it on the nose.
The blow startled the creature enough to let Allan go and give him time to escape.
Source: DailyRecords.co.uk