Diver shows what you should do if a shark approaches and it's the opposite of what everyone expected

Video shows a safety diver demonstrating how to properly handle an approaching Tiger Shark.

So-called for their distinctive striped sides, Tiger Sharks are one of the species of shark which can be dangerous for humans.

They are large predatory sharks that grow to around five metres in length when they reach maturity.

Tiger Sharks have a huge range of food sources that they feed on, including sea turtles, dolphins, fish, and even other sharks.

They are also the species with the second highest number of recorded fatal attacks on humans, after the Great White.

However, it is important to note that these are still exceptionally rare, with animals such as bees, wasps, and dogs having higher numbers.

Some tourist diving spots even offer dives specifically to dive with Tiger Sharks, which includes instructors to monitor the sharks during the dive.

But while sharks in these areas are accustomed to humans and live in clear, shallow water, divers still need to take great care around them, as this video shows.

Tiger Sharks are large predators. (Rodrigo Friscione / Getty)

While they are very large predatory animals, Tiger Sharks usually approach a human out of curiosity, not aggression.

The video shows the proper way to respond to this, starting off by showing how not act with a Tiger Shark.

What not to do is to behave 'like prey', such as splashing a lot or seeming like you're trying to escape the shark.

This will only make the shark think that you might be something tasty, which is obviously not what you would want it to think.

What you should do is face down the Tiger Shark, giving it the impression that you too are an ocean-going terror from the deep.

If this doesn't work and the shark continues to approach you, there is one final thing that you can do to protect yourself.

Needless to say, don't do this if you're not a professional. (Stephen Frink / Getty)

However, it was also made clear that this is very much a last resort tactic if the shark approaches you.

This is to place your hand on top of the shark's nose and push it down away from you, before letting it swim past.

In diving, the technique is called 'redirecting', and just lets the shark get on with its swimming and eating, though eating something else.

People were left saying the same thing after watching the video, with one writing on social media: "I will just stay away from the water lol," while another posted: "How about just don't ever go swimming where there are sharks?"

A third joked: "Unless the shark climbs out of the water and lays on a sun lounger, I think I'll be ok."