text: There were 72 unprovoked shark attacks around the world last year, with three people killed in Australia and South Africa. According to the International Shark Attack File, which gathers statistics on interactions between the mammals and humans,the number of worldwide unprovoked shark attacks has grown at a steady pace since 1900, with each decade having more attacks than the previous. However, despite the worrying statistics, only a minority of sharks are any danger to humans, with Great White, Bull and Tiger sharks accounting for the vast majority of attacks. Scroll down for video . The great white shark is the most deadly of its kind, yet there by following rules and recommendations, it's unlikely you will ever meet one . Thirteen-year-old Elio Canestri, who was attacked and killed while surfing off the coast of Reunion a week ago, was killed by an eight-foot bull shark. The young teen was reported to be surfing in an area deemed out of bounds by officials due to the high risk of sharks. Reunion has recorded seven fatal shark attacks in the past five years, more per capita than anywhere else in the world. The International Shark Attack File reports that there were 52 shark attacks in US waters in 2014, compared to 29 in 2015. Australia's 11 attacks was lower than its 12.5 attacks per year average over the past ten years (2004-2013) and the two fatalities were in line with its 1.5 yearly average over the same time period. So are there any simple precautions that can be taken to avoid a shark attack? And what should you do if you come into contact with one? Bright swim gear which contrasts strongly with skin colour can attracts sharks . Don't look like a fish . Even if you think you're in a safe area of water, a rogue shark attack can never be ruled out. Experts warn swimmers not to wear any jewellery or items that reflect the light. As far as sharks are concerned, that flash of light could easily be the sun reflecting off fish scales. This is particularly important if swimming in choppy and unclear conditions which can make it harder for a shark to distinguish between swimmers and prey. Even brightly coloured clothing can cause trouble, as sharks see in black and white and use contrast to distinguish colour, meaning they will pick up the difference between skin and a bright swimsuit. The same can be said for sunburn, causing colour differentiation on skin. Equally, surfers can easily be confused for seals. Lounging on a surfboard in a wetsuit can give the outline of a seal from a shark's point of view. While this is hard to avoid, try surfing in a group and stay alert to your surroundings at all times. Going on a cage dive is the best and safest way of encountering a shark . Use your common sense . It may sound ridiculously obvious, but when people want to experience the ultimate experience on the waves, common sense goes out the window. Put simply, don't swim with shark food. Where there are fish, there could be sharks and sharks eat fish. By swimming or surfing near fishing boats  or areas with sea birds feeding, you're at increased risk of encountering a shark. George Burgess, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, told MSNBC: 'It really comes down to common sense. We do a pretty good job here in the United States as last year there were no fatalities from shark attacks. 'What we need to do is avoid where sharks are at present.' Try to avoid swimming or surfing near the exits of sewage pipes, the waste released will attract fish, which in turn will attract their predators. It can seem a good idea to take a romantic swim at sunset, but it is actually harder for sharks to spot the difference between humans and prey in darker conditions . Swim in good weather - and during the day . It is easy to think that evening swim from the beach is a romantic way to enjoy your surroundings undisturbed, but dark conditions make it hard for sharks to distinguish swimmers form their prey. The same can be said for murky water and foggy weather. These conditions impair a shark's vision and also a swimmer's making it harder for them to observe their surroundings and stay safe. 1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack lone individuals. 2. Don't wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates you and places you away from assistance. 3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them. 4. Don't enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell and taste blood, and trace it back to its source. 5. Don't wear shiny jewellery. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales. AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH A SHARK... If attacked by a shark, the general rule is 'Do whatever it takes to get away!' Some people have successfully chosen to be aggressive, others passive. Some yelled underwater, others blew bubbles. Source: Florida Museum of Natural History . Know where is safe to swim . In countries where shark attacks are frequent, officials should clearly mark areas that are deemed 'safe to swim/surf' and those that are not. Always pay heed to local knowledge, particularly on beaches in the US, Australia and South Africa, where the majority of attacks happened in 2014. Keep in mind that single attacks also happened in Reunion, Japan, Spain, New Zealand, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and the Galapagos Islands. When swimming in open water, avoid areas such as sand shelves and areas between sand bars, where the ground drops away into much deeper water, sharks often frequent these areas. Likewise, channels and river mouths are other areas than can be rich with food for sharks, just like sewage waste pipes, so stay away. It is important for swimmers and surfers to be clued on where is safe to take to the water (file photo) Swim in groups . Swim and surf with friends. It's common sense for in case something goes wrong there is someone there to help, but also sharks aren't as likely to attack a group. To this end, in the unfortunate situation where you come face to face with a shark (see below), the group can work together to enact defensive situations. Going back to back with other divers mean you can keep your eyes on the challenge from all directions and prepare to fight. Use a shark repellent . If you are a regular surfer, meaning you're often in open water in low light and sometimes alone, it can pay off to use a shark repellent. Locals in Hawaii are increasingly placing their trust in technologies that claim to keep the predators away by sending an electric pulse through the water. One particular device, known as the Electronic Shark Defence System (ESDS), has enjoyed massive popularity on the islands. Users strap the devices to their ankles, wetsuits or surfboards. Some are about the size of an oversized watch, others the size of a wallet. They range in price from £249 ($399) to £390 ($649). Researcher Christine Ambrosino told Discovery news the pulse is an effective way to stopping a shark in its tracks. She said: 'As the shark swims toward it, it's like punching them in the face with a cattle prod.' It is important to swim in groups or with one other person to help look out for threats and also put off sharks from attacking . A shark begins to circle, what should you do? There are lots of myths around what you should you if you are unlucky enough to come into contact with a shark. Sharks are said to bite out of simple curiosity; they are known to bite anything that bobs on water just to see what it tastes like. National Geographic rubbish two of the suggested things you should do to ward off an attack; splashing violently and playing dead are no-nos. Splashing violently will only go to attract more sharks towards you, while playing dead leads to resulting in just that - a limp body will simply encourage the shark to tuck in. Instead you should try and attack its soft spots, those being the eyes and gills. George Burgess from the International Shark Attack File said: 'I advise to be as aggressively defensive as you are able. 'Playing dead' does not work. Pound the shark in any way possible. Try to claw at the eyes and gill openings, two very sensitive areas.' There were only three fatalities record from unprovoked shark attacks in 2014, two in Australia and one in South Africa. The International Shark Attack File investigated 130 incidents of alleged shark-human interaction occurring worldwide in 2014. Upon review, 72 of these incidents represented confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attacks on humans. Of the 72 incidents of unprovoked shark attacks around the world last year, there were three fatalities . The 58 incidents not accorded unprovoked status in 2014 included 33 provoked attacks, nine interactions involving a shark biting a motorized or non-motorized vessel ('boat attack'), four incidents regarded as not involving a shark ('doubtful'), one case involving sinking ships or downed aircraft ('air-sea disaster'), two incidents involving post-mortem bites ('scavenge'), and nine cases in which data is unavailable to determine if an unprovoked shark attack occurred ('insufficient evidence'). The 2014 yearly total of 72 unprovoked attacks was lower than the 75 recorded in 2013 and represents the lowest global total since 68 in 2009. However, the number of worldwide unprovoked shark attacks has grown at a steady pace since 1900, with each decade having more attacks than the previous . Information collected from the The International Shark Attack File (IASF).
target: Adhere to beach rules and stay out of shark-infested waters .
  However, not wearing jewellery in the water might not be considered .
  Tragic death of 13-year-old surfer Elio Canestri sees the threat of sharks once again in the spotlight .
  Shark attacks continue to rise over the course of the century .