“There’s no guarantee you won’t be attacked by a shark if you swim in the ocean, so these tools don’t really help.”
There are very few guarantees in life—death and taxes come to mind. But the absence of a guarantee has never been a reason to ignore tools that reduce risk. If we followed that logic, we wouldn’t lock our doors because there’s no guarantee someone won’t break in, and we wouldn’t use security alarms because they don’t prevent every crime. That would be unreasonable.
Ocean safety is no different.
When we enter the ocean, we are entering the domain of apex predators. In many parts of the world, that includes sharing water with great white sharks, bull sharks, and other large species. While there is no way to eliminate risk entirely, there are ways to reduce it. One of the most effective tools available today is the Beach Buddy app.
The only thing better than Beach Buddy would be the ability to scan an entire section of ocean and instantly detect any animal longer than five feet. Since that technology doesn’t exist, Beach Buddy is the best option we currently have.
Beach Buddy provides real-time, location-specific data to help people understand current ocean conditions. Recently, the focus has been on its early-warning system for marine hazards, driven by the unusually high number of shark attacks worldwide over the past 45 days. But the app offers much more than shark alerts—it’s a comprehensive safety and awareness tool designed to enhance both enjoyment and safety at the beach.
There is one critical caveat: the app only works if users heed its warnings.
This is my biggest concern when I hear dismissive or negative statements about tools that genuinely reduce risk. That mindset is exactly what gets people injured or killed. If someone downloads Beach Buddy but ignores its hazard warnings, they have effectively rendered the tool useless—and may be putting their own life, or the lives of loved ones, in jeopardy.
Life-and-death situations are not where you want to rationalize ignoring clear warnings. In this case, there is a right and a wrong choice. While the technology behind Beach Buddy is complex and science-driven, the decision to follow its guidance is simple—and essential. That choice directly impacts your safety and enjoyment in the ocean.
So how does a hazard warning get triggered?
The answer is complex. Beach Buddy evaluates multiple data sources to assess current risk at a user’s chosen location. It is the only global beach safety app that combines this level of comprehensive, real-time information, enabling users to make better-informed decisions.
An increased-risk shark warning may be issued under several conditions, including:
~ Recent shark sightings or attacks
~ The presence of a tagged shark within a defined radius
~ Specific environmental and situational factors that, when combined, create what we call a “perfect storm” for elevated risk
These algorithms are designed to identify conditions that significantly increase the likelihood of a negative human–shark interaction.
Beach Buddy has already proven its value. The app launched shortly after Christmas 2025, and within days, a fatal shark attack occurred in Monterey Bay, California. Because the app was brand new, none of the swimmers that day were aware it existed. They never had the chance to check conditions before entering the water.
Had they used Beach Buddy, they would have faced a clear decision: swim that day, or don’t. At the time of the incident, the app was actively displaying an increased-risk shark warning.
Why does this matter?
Because this is how tools like Beach Buddy save lives. It’s difficult to prove an attack didn’t happen because someone heeded a warning. Tragically, it’s much easier to show that an attack did happen when a warning could have been avoided.
We can’t get the word out about Beach Buddy fast enough. There is no excuse not to use it—it’s free. And the more people who use it, the better it becomes.
Users can choose to simply benefit personally, or they can become active contributors by submitting marine hazard reports, including shark sightings. Approved reports are shared with all users, increasing transparency and helping everyone understand why a warning exists.
If you love the ocean, if you love the beach, and if you value safety—for yourself and others—then Beach Buddy is a tool worth using.
The app is available now for free on Google Play, with the Apple App Store release coming soon.
The only beach app you’ll ever need! 
