This tiger shark got way too close for comfort during a dive off the coast of South Africa.

The never before filmed interaction was caught on camera by our partner, adventurer Rainer Schimpf, who operates Expert Tours out of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

At first, the shark can be seen slowly circling one of the divers for a while, before doubling back for a closer look. Instead of staying calm, the diver panics and quickly swims up and away.

The sudden movement instantly triggers the tiger shark’s hunting instincts. It quickly lunges directly toward the diver, barely missing as the terrified diver swims out of its path.

Luckily, the shark seems to immediately lose interest and what could have been a fatal encounter is avoided.

Tiger sharks are one of the most dangerous species of shark — they are responsible for the second highest number of attacks on humans, only behind great whites.

Armed with powerful jaws and sharp, serrated teeth that can cut through bone, their bite packs quite a punch. Their appetites are also seemingly endless, as the hungry scavengers snack on pretty much everything, including fish, turtles, other sharks, and even non-living objects like license plates.

While shark attacks on humans are rare overall, when people do encounter sharks, it’s crucial to avoid making sudden movements, says Schimp. Instead, if a shark approaches, divers should stay calm and gently push it away with a nudge on the nose if it comes too close.