Great white shark brings scuba divers to their knees - USA Today's FTW

Scuba diving instructor Eric Peterson and a 75-year-old diver encountered a great white shark during a guided dive near Halifax, Nova Scotia, in an unprecedented three-minute encounter.

When John Brooks spotted the apex predator, his instinct was to surface quickly, but Peterson's expert knowledge proved crucial. The instructor advised staying calm and motionless on the seafloor, explaining that most shark attacks occur near the surface. The pair remained kneeling as the curious shark approached, sniffed them, and circled multiple times before swimming away peacefully.

• Staying calm and motionless underwater proved safer than rushing to the surface during the shark encounter
• The great white shark displayed curious behavior, approaching to investigate the divers' scent and air bubbles
• This marked the first great white shark sighting at this popular Nova Scotia diving location despite thousands of previous dives
• Expert diving knowledge and proper safety protocols enabled a safe, memorable wildlife encounter rather than a dangerous situation