Diver who swims with sharks reveals how his fear makes encounters so unpredictable because they can detect his racing heartbeat

A group of divers come face-to-face with a school of deadly sharks, risking death or serious injury if one of the predators decides to strike.

The freedivers – Carlos Estrabeau, 28, and 29-year-old Ocean Ramsey – got up close and personal with a variety of species including a Caribbean reef, lemon, nurse and tiger sharks.

These images were taken by photographer Raul Boesel Jr who admits that these encounters can be worryingly unpredictable.

He pointed to theories that sharks can sense fear by detecting electrical impulses given off by a diver’s accelerated heartbeat, but said it was the adrenaline rush that drew him into such dangerous environments.

Jaws-dropping: A free diver is surrounded by a school of sharks in the waters off West End in the Bahamas in pictures taken by Brazilian photographer Raul Boesel Jr