Some students making spring break plans, especially those traveling to Florida, might think twice before leaping into the water.

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) reported a record number of shark attacks last year. It is the highest number of unprovoked shark attacks in 40 years with 79 attacks reported around the world, according to ISAF records.

More than two-thirds of the attacks occurred in North American waters with 51 from the United States and four from the Bahamas. Florida was ranked first in the world with 34 attacks. Volusia County, Fla. — which includes Daytona Beach, a top spring break destination — had the most attacks in Florida.

Some students such as Christine Tricome (senior-human development and family studies) said the statistics have made them wary about diving into the ocean.

"I'm petrified of sharks," Tricome said. "When I'm at the Jersey shore, I'll go deep into the water because you don't have to worry about sharks there. But I'll probably only go in knee-deep in Florida."

The ISAF attributes the increase in attack totals to a greater number of swimmers in the water and an increase in the number of attacks actually reported.

"Florida has a huge number of people in the water, and the number of person-hours in the water is probably higher than anywhere in the world," said George Burgess, director of the ISAF.

More attacks are also being reported due to the Internet, he added.

Some students say their water adventures will not be affected by the reports. Erik Werner (senior-accounting) said the extremely small chance of being attacked by a shark doesn't play a role in his decision making.

"I'll take the risk in the water. My family goes to the beach every summer," Werner said. "I've never heard or known of anyone getting attacked by the shark. The chances of it happening to me are so slim."

According to the report, swimmers and waders made up the majority of cases while surfers and windsurfers were the recreational user groups most often subjected to shark attacks. Other attacks involved divers, snorkelers and body surfers.

Most attacks occurred in nearshore waters, typically inshore of a sandbar or between sandbars where sharks feed and can become trapped at low tide.

To avoid being attacked by a shark, the ISAF suggests students swim in groups and near the shore. Shiny jewelry, bright-colored clothing and uneven tanning are not suggested because sharks see contrast well and reflected light resembles fish scales.

The ISAF also says that sharks are more active and have better sensory advantages at night and suggests not entering the water when bleeding because of a shark's acute sensing ability.

Despite stereotypes and instant reactions, the ISAF says to refrain from excess splashing when encountering a shark. The erratic movement angers and provokes the shark.

The ISAF is a compilation of all known shark attacks and is administered by the American Elasmobranch Society and the Florida Museum of Natural History. The file holds more than 3,200 individual investigations covering the period from the mid-1500s to the present. It is currently kept at the University of Florida at Gainesville.