Shark encounters are some of the most sought-after adventures among scuba divers, but not every diver is fully prepared to go face to face in a feeding frenzy. Are you?

1. EDUCATE YOURSELF
Sharks are curious creatures, not the mindless man-eaters depicted on TV. The more you learn about them before your dive the better. A specialty course like PADI’s Project AWARE Shark Conservation course is a good first step.

2. STAY COOL
As the sharks start to gather, the safest place for divers is on the bottom. Panic attacks or emergency ascents can make sharks see you as something other than a passive observer. So it’s important to feel calm and comfortable in the water.

3. BECOME A BUOYANCY MASTER
Once you jump in, you’ll need to make a timely descent to the bottom, and you need to have the buoyancy control to sit firmly on the seafloor and swim efficiently without floating up into the feeding zone.

4. KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF
Sharks do take exploratory bites of things that look like food. While they rarely bite divers intentionally, an outstretched hand is easily confused with a fish. So keep your hands close to your body at all times.

5. BE PREPARED TO CALL THE DIVE
Usually sharks seem mildly curious about divers, at most. But sharks are wild animals, and they can be unpredictable. Pay attention to your dive leader’s instructions, and know that he may call the dive or order you out of the water at a moment’s notice. And if it happens, move quickly and don’t ask questions until everyone is safely back on the boat.