Ocean Ramsey reveals how training with horses and stingrays helps her stay safe during shark encounters. Her new Netflix doc explores her unique journey.
Ocean conservationist and professional diver Ocean Ramsey has shared a surprising secret behind her shark survival training — she practiced with horses and stingrays.
In a recent Instagram video posted on June 27, Ramsey explained how working with these animals helped her develop the skills to handle emergency situations with sharks in open water.
“Horses can kick, bite, or even kill you,” she said. “But they’re also beautiful and sensitive, just like sharks. You have to be calm and understand their mood.”
Ocean Ramsey said that horses, like sharks, respond to energy. They can sense fear, tension, or confidence — which makes them perfect for practicing control and awareness.
She also trained with stingrays, often dancing with them underwater. That experience helped her move gracefully and stay aware of her surroundings — skills that are crucial when swimming near large predators.
The Shark Redirection Technique
Ocean Ramsey became well-known for her shark redirection technique, which she first used after being rushed by a shark. In an interview with PEOPLE, she described how to perform it safely:
- Place one hand on the shark’s head.
- Push down firmly and lock your elbows.
- Use the second hand near the gills to guide the shark away from your body.
Ramsey made it clear: this is for emergency use only. Her goal is not to encourage people to touch sharks, but to help them stay safe if ever in danger.
“Without this knowledge, people might panic,” she said. “And swimming away can make the shark chase you.”
Instead, she shares these tips to promote peaceful human-shark interaction. She believes that understanding animal behavior is key to survival.
Educating, Not Encouraging
In her Instagram caption, Ocean Ramsey explained that her posts are educational, not for thrill-seeking. She wants others to learn how to act in case of a real threat, especially for those working in the ocean.
“If you want to work with sharks, you should know how to handle close encounters,” she wrote.
Ramsey compared sharks to other apex predators like lions or bears. Just like in the wild, it’s about respecting their space and role in the ecosystem.
Ocean Whisperer: The Netflix Documentary
Ramsey’s story is now the focus of a new Netflix documentary, Ocean Whisperer, which premiered on June 30. The film goes deeper into her journey, exploring her bold mission to protect sharks and change how the world sees them.
Her work — often without protective cages — has sparked both praise and criticism. In viral videos, she swims alongside tiger sharks and even great whites. Some call her fearless. Others call it risky.
Still, Ramsey remains focused. She wants to prove that humans and sharks can coexist safely.
“Sharks aren’t monsters,” she told PEOPLE. “They’re predators, and we need them. We just need to learn how to live alongside them.”
