How to Escape a Crocodile Death Roll

The best way to avoid an encounter with a crocodile is obviously to stay away from it. However, should you ever meet a croc in the wild, here are some tips on how to escape its potentially deadly clutches.

Instructions

1. First and foremost, stay away from crocodile-infested waters. If it's too late for that, the first thing you should do when you see a crocodile coming after you is run. Don't play dead and don't try to attack it.

2. If you are caught, try to gouge the reptile's eyes or thrust your fingers in its snout. If possible, grab its snout and clasp your hands around it, securing its jaw shut. Crocodiles have surprisingly weak jaws, so if you do this, they will be unable to close them, which means they won't be able to bite you.

3. If this doesn't work and the animal begins its infamous death roll (rapidly spinning), make sure that you roll your body in the same direction of the crocodile's roll. The reason behind the crocodile's death roll is to remove pieces that are too big for it to swallow whole. Rolling in the same direction reduces your chances of losing a limb.

4. If you're in the water, do whatever you can to stay on land. If you're on land, the croc will probably try to drag you in the water. Do your best to avoid this, as your chance for survival decreases greatly when you are in the water.

5. However, if the crocodile does get you in water, try to poke the soft part of its throat. Although crocodiles can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour, they cannot swallow underwater, so you may be able to use this to your advantage.

Tips & Warnings

• If the crocodile has begun its death roll, playing dead is most likely not an option. However, if all else has failed and you have the opportunity to do so, play dead. Crocodiles enjoy live meals, so they may release if they believe you are dead.

• Above all, don't give up. The one thing that all croc survivors have in common is that they keep fighting. Stay brave, focused and motivated--remember, it's your life that's at stake.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• A Survivor's Tale