Even if the shark swims away, you are not truly safe until you are out of the water. Sharks may leave temporarily and then come back to continue the attack. Get back to shore or back on the boat as quickly as possible.  If a boat is nearby, call out calmly, but loudly, for them to come to you. Stay as still as possible while waiting, as long as the shark is not actively attacking you; and get into the boat as quickly as possible, once the boat reaches you.    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/aid42848-v4-728px-Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  If you are near shore, swim quickly, but smoothly. Thrashing will attract the shark's attention again and disperse your blood, which could draw more sharks. Do the smooth reverse breast stroke, which requires less splashing than other strokes.     {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/aid42848-v4-728px-Survive-a-Shark-Attack-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you have been bitten, get treatment as soon as possible. Massive blood loss could occur, depending on where you have been bitten, so immediately take appropriate steps to stop the bleeding. Even if your wounds appear minor, it is essential to get yourself checked out. Remain calm until you get medical care, so that your blood does not pump faster through your body.

Summary: Get out of the water. Get medical attention.


Ask your librarian to direct you to books about names. Don’t be satisfied with the meaning listed in just one book. Books can list slightly different meanings that can alter the nuances of the name. For example, the name Hilary is typically translated as “cheerful one,” but it can also be rendered as “bringer of joy.” If you prefer to learn about your name in the comfort of your own home, the internet has endless information about name meanings.  The database website Behind the Name lists thousands of names, from every culture and period, along with a description of the name etymology and mention of historical figures who bore each name.  Check out Baby Center!  They not only have information on name meanings, but they also have polls on names and data on the most and least popular names. Some cultures have longstanding traditions and ceremonies for naming a child. For example, in Latvia, the baby’s godparents host a celebration nine days after the baby is born, and they are the ones who choose a name for the baby.

Summary: Head to the library. Check out websites devoted to names. Find out what naming means in your culture.


There is no quick fix for feeling used, and you may experience a period of time where you feel sad, angry, and hurt. Don’t try to suppress those emotions just because they feel bad. Instead, let yourself work through your pain and embrace your emotions.  You might not feel like going out or talking to friends during this time, and that’s okay. Let yourself cry if you need to. It might make you feel better, especially if you were used by a romantic partner or a close friend. If you’ve been used, you might want to jump right back into a relationship or friendship to make yourself feel better. Try to give yourself time to heal emotionally and don’t rush into anything new while you are still feeling down. Keep talking to your existing friends and save new relationships for when you feel better. Everyone needs different amounts of time to heal, and there is no set timeline for how long you will need. If you have been used in a relationship or a friendship, you may not be able to recover from what the other person has done to you. If you don’t think that you can forgive the person, it will only bring you more pain to keep in contact with them. Don’t text, call, or talk to them if you can avoid it. If you go to school or work with this person, seeing them may be unavoidable. Keep your interactions short and civil. Talk with your friends and family about how you are feeling. It can feel easier to push them away when you are hurt, but try to rely on them to help you feel better. Even if you don’t want to talk about your feelings, try to let them distract you from your pain for a little bit.  Some friends or family members can be too prying when they try to comfort you. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing about what happened, simply don’t talk about it. Approach your friends or family by saying, “I’m going through a rough time right now. Could we spend some time together this week to take my mind off of things?” You might feel like you allowed yourself to be used or that you are to blame for someone using you. This is not the case. Someone using you is entirely the other person’s fault and you shouldn’t blame yourself. Push down those negative thoughts until they are gone. If you have been used a lot throughout your life, it can be even easier to think that you are to blame. Remember: someone taking advantage of you shows a flaw in their own character, not yours. After you cut ties with someone, it is easy to think of only the positive traits in their personality and in your relationship with them. Try to focus on what was wrong and why removing them from your life is actually a good thing. Remember that they used you and that it hurt. You may be romanticizing someone if you only remember the good times that you two had and reject the bad or painful memories.


Summary: Allow yourself to feel hurt. Give yourself time to recover. Cut off the person who used you if you need to. Lean on your friends and family for support. Avoid blaming yourself. Recognize if you are romanticizing the person who used you.