Human beings are not shark food but they are subject to attacks. This mostly happens when sharks simply mistake humans for something they normally eat. Upon realizing that this isn't its usual food they let go. A majority of recorded attacks show that a shark hangs on for a few seconds to its victim before letting go. It is very rare for a shark to repeatedly attack and feed on a human victim.

It’s easy to understand the shark's confusion since attack victims are surfers or people riding boogie boards. A shark swimming below sees a roughly oval shape with arms and legs dangling off. This bears a close resemblance to a sea lion (the main prey of great white sharks) or a sea turtle (a common food for tiger sharks). Attacks occur when sharks confuse humans for their usual prey.