The dangers Ben will face as he swims The Atlantic across the Equator are enormous: from the elements of high seas and strong winds to storms and equatorial climes and physically, from hyperthermia and exhaustion to dehydration and mass calorie deficit. Battling them all individually and with the help of his team will be critical whilst relying on an inner strength to dismiss the dangers presented by marine life that he will know are present every time he leaves the security of the support boat. Below are just some of the known marine life he may encounter.
Sharks ... surely one of the most feared of all marine life ... especially the Oceanic White Tip (Carcharhinus longimanus). Whilst preferring waters with temperatures of between 20 °C (68 °F) and 28 °C (82 °F), this normally 3m long shark is known to swim frequently in the upper layers of the ocean and has a preference for off-shore areas. This shark gives little warning of attack making it hard for the vigilant crew aboard Ben's support boat to spot especially if he decides to swim at night. Natal, the destination point on the coast of Brazil presents an increased risk and frequency of shark attack. To counter a possible shark attack Ben will wear an electromagnetic device which has been shown to be effective in causing discomfort to sharks by overloading their sensitive sensors. Additional safety advice is provided by world-renowned shark experts.
Like many of nature’s creations, the beauty of the Portuguese Man-of-War hides a vicious sting. A regular sight in the warmer waters of The Atlantic, these will be Ben's biggest concern, giving rise to serious deliberation regarding the protection of Ben's body and face, the latter being the most important and most difficult.
A jellyfish sting can be fatal if the swimmer has an allergic reaction. Ben will be stung, our patron Sir Ranulph Fiennes, has lost fingers and toes to frostbite on polar expeditions. All that we can do in coming to terms with these uncomfortable facts are to minimise the inevitability of them and to consider them as "occupational hazards".
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