Safely Swim with Piranhas

Piranhas--You've seen them in movies, read of them in books and they may have appeared in your nightmares. But, they're not nearly as vicious as you think. In reality, these much-maligned freshwater fish, which inhabit South American rivers and the collective imagination of most people, are more fearful than fearsome. While occasionally going after wounded large animals, they normally eat fish, carrion and at times, vegetation. Piranhas usually shy away from humans, and researchers now suggest they congregate in large groups (shoals) for protection, rather than for hunting. Still, shoals of piranhas can be dangerous. They have razor-sharp teeth and, just as in the movies, will quickly devour just about anything if food is scarce. If you're going to take a dip in the Amazon, read on to see how you can swim peacefully with piranhas. __FORCEADV__

Steps

 * 1) Know where piranhas live. Piranhas are freshwater fish and live only in South America (although occasionally a stray pet piranha turns up in a river elsewhere).  Residing almost exclusively in still or slow-moving streams or lakes, they die in cold water.
 * 2) [[Image:2005 07 12 01 21 47.jpg|200px|right]]Avoid desperate piranhas. As previously mentioned, piranhas are usually mild-mannered and skittish.  They rarely, if ever, attack a much larger animal unless they are starving.  Food supplies are at their lowest during the dry season, when water levels fall dramatically, so avoid entering piranha-infested waters during these times.  When water levels are high and food plentiful, piranhas pose almost no danger to humans.  If in doubt, ask the locals.
 * 3) *Be wary of ponds that seem to be a product of the movements of a river (rivers slowly move back and forth or shrink and grow with the rain). Avoid getting close to them, even to peek. Animals in these ponds are condemned to death, and piranhas could jump and attack you out of sheer desperation if you stand close enough.
 * 4) Wait until night to enter the water. If, during the dry season, you must venture into water inhabited by piranhas, wait until darkness before attempting to traverse without a boat.  Piranhas hunt in the day and sleep at night.  If awakened from their slumber while it's dark, they will generally flee, but it's safest not to disturb them. Remember that other predators, such as caimans, are more active at night. If attempting a night crossing, consider nocturnal predators that roam the waters while piranhas sleep. If attempting to cross a waterway with a diversity of organisms, the dangers of traveling at night may far outweigh the benefits.
 * 5) Stay out of the water if you have an open, bleeding cut. Piranhas sense blood in the water and are more likely to attack a larger animal if they think it's wounded.  Thus, don't tempt them with an open cut.  Also avoid carrying raw meat into the water, and wash your hands before entering if you have recently handled raw meat. (Don't wash where piranhas reside).  Also steer clear of potential food sources, such as waters below bird nesting areas, docks, and garbage dumps.
 * 6) Avoid making a fuss. Recent studies suggest that desperate piranhas are attracted more by activity than by blood. Thus, when crossing water, minimize your movement and swim or walk with smooth, fluid motions.  Avoid talking, and don't use flashlights or lanterns when night-crossing.  Again, consider that caimans (Central and South American alligators) are more active and hunt at night and traversing open water at night without lights could be more risky due to the potential for attacks by caimans.
 * 7) Create a diversion. As a last-ditch effort, try to create a diversion by releasing an animal carcass or a substantial quantity of raw meat downstream from your desired crossing point.  However, piranhas can strip animals to the bone in a matter of minutes or even seconds, so you'll want to cross very quickly before they sense you. Also, when coming to your diversion, they may greet you first.

Tips

 * There are several varieties of piranhas, but most reside in South America. Some related fish are often mistaken for piranhas, such as the peaceful, non-dangerous pacu.
 * It is not uncommon for local people (and tourists) to swim among piranhas. The fact is, except during lean times, piranhas are no more dangerous than other comparably-sized fish.
 * While people may fear being eaten by piranhas, in reality the situation is reversed. Piranhas are often a delicious and popular food where they are found.

Warnings

 * Make no mistake. A shoal of hungry piranhas can inflict serious injury or death.  While their reputation is exaggerated, you must still respect these fish and take care to avoid them during the dangerous times of the year.
 * Piranhas are but one of many perils to be found in and around the rivers of South America. Exercise caution in these areas, and get a knowledgeable local guide if possible.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Stay Healthy While Traveling in the Tropics
 * How to Survive a Shark Attack
 * How to Prepare for a Backpacking Trip Into the Wilderness
 * How to Camp in the Wilderness
 * How to Build a Fast Shelter in the Wilderness
 * How to Spear a Fish
 * How to Travel to Rio De Janeiro
 * How to Pack a Medical Kit for a Trip
 * How to Treat a Wound

Sources and Citations
nadar con pirañas de una forma segura
 * BBC.co.uk
 * WildAnimalsOnline.com
 * Piranha on Wikipedia