Hi Maggie;
In answer to your question about why the media portrays Sharks in general as monsters and killers is that they "need to".
Let’s face it, the entertainment business runs on sensationalism. It needs controversy in order to get the viewer rateings so that it can sell advertisement for big money.
Nobody (well, almost nobody in the general public) is going to "stay tuned" to a video if a beautibul 12 or 14 foot apex predator gliding through the crystal blue waters. No way, they want to see teeth and the horrible,’ man-eating monster that attacks and kills without mercy.
The best thing to do is to learn as much as you can about sharks and other critters. Go to aquariums, watch "real" shark documentaries, talk to folks who are educated and "know" about sharks. Then you will be better able to handle an encounter when it happens.
And when all else fails, remember that you don’t have to outswim the shark, you only have to outswim your Dive Buddy...LOL
Ron sends