Absolutely not. There is never any time when you can swim in the open ocean that you will be safe. Even when swimming at an ocean beach, you are subject to shark attacks. Depending on the area of the world you swim in, you may be subject to any form of attack. Even some toothed whales, such as Orcas or Pilot Whales, may attack a smaller human being. If you cannot see below the surface of the water, you are taking your life into your own hands. Sharks of all types dwell in the open ocean, and chances are you will not even see an attack coming before it happens. While swimming in the open ocean does not guarantee that you will be attacked, the likelihood that you will face a shark attack or some other type of animal attack is very highly likely. Any environment that is not predominantly human is dangerous, and the ocean is no exception. Response ot Mike Jahkola: Hence why I say very clearly in this answer: "swimming in the open ocean does not guarantee that you will be attacked".

it should as long as you don't act like an injured seal, are bleeding profusely, or smell like raw meat....but personally..i hate sharks and avoid the ocean as much as possible.

While there are inherent risks involved in exposing yourself to any wild environment, the risk of swimming in the open ocean is relatively minor, assuming you're not stranded. The question is not clear about that 'open ocean' refers to. The middle of an ocean? 500 yards out? Off the shore and not protected by an enclosure? Yes, there are dangers. Currents, waves, animals, fatigue. The open land carries with it the risk of lightning, wind, an earthquakes, animals, etc. Do you consider yourself safe walking across a field? The chances of being attacked by a shark or other marine creature are comparatively non-existent when you consider you're more likely to win the lottery, slip in your tub AND get struck by lightning than being bitten by a shark. Go enjoy the ocean; it's one of nature's most amazing gifts.

it is as safe as just about anything else that is subject to natures fury. i love the ocean its just hard to sometimes not picture a scene from jaws while im swimming

depends what ocean so depending on the ocean cheak the shark population in that area

Never completley safe, but then again, is riding a car safe? or crossing a road safe?

Had sea duty when i was a Marine,we did it.The Navy would keep shark watch.

You are nowhere really safe. Most people die in a bed. 1) "The fears and concerns related to open water swimming are very real. The most obvious reason being, most triathletes complete their swim training in the safety of a swimming pool complete with lifeguards, walls on which to rest, lane ropes that calm the water (and to grab if need be) and a shallow bottom on which to walk leaving even the most timid swimmer feeling safe and secure. In the open water these conveniences are not always available, especially in the ocean. Yes, there may be lifeguards on duty, but that doesn’t help much when you are 50 yards offshore swimming in fifteen feet of water and the lifeguard appears as a small red dot on the horizon. Add to that the chance of rough seas and swells breaking close to shore as well as the possibility of an undertow or runout and its no wonder such fears exist. Lakes are not as bad as the ocean and tend to be a bit calmer, but you still have to keep an eye out for boaters (and critters) and be sure to swim in designated areas. Please understand, I am not trying to add to anyone’s existing fears of swimming in open waters. But for me to say, "you have nothing to worry about, swimming in the open water is a piece of cake” would be a lie. It can be a wonderful experience but you must be aware of your surroundings and practice safe swimming." Source and further information: http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_swim/tno_swimarticle_04.asp 2) "Someone advised me prior to my ocean swim not to wear shiny jewelry. Of course, I don't wear jewelry anyway when I swim for fear I'll lose it, but in case you do, something to think about. Have also heard ppl should avoid bright or highly contrasting colors. Think I heard that on NPR. Recently, I was swimming between a beach and a sandbar. Probably good I didn't hear about all this at that time! Didn't, however, run into any sharks." "I swim at least once a week in the open ocean and have never seen a shark." Source and further information: http://forums.usms.org/archive/index.php/t-4929.html 3) "“It’s quite spectacular that for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide spending hundreds of millions of hours in the water in activities that are often very provocative to sharks, such as surfing, there is only one incident resulting in a fatality,” he said. “The danger of a shark attack stays in the forefront of our psyches because of it being drilled into our brain for the last 30 years by the popular media, movies, books and television, but in reality the chances of dying from one are infinitesimal.” Advances in medical treatment, greater attention to beach safety practices and increased public awareness about the danger of shark attacks are all likely reasons the fatality rate so far for the 21st century, at 7.6 percent, has been lower than the 12.3 percent recorded for the 1990s, Burgess said. The number of shark attacks overall increased from 63 in 2006 to 71 in 2007, continuing a gradual upswing during the past four years, he said." Source and further information: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/sharksummary_2007.pdf 4) "Do go swimming with dolphins, which you can do in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Bimini. Whether you swim in the open ocean or at an aquarium, an immersion with these loveable and intelligent creatures is an experience you'll treasure forever." Source and further information: http://www.professionaltravelguide.com/security/bahamas/destinations-101324 Further information: http://dolphin-experience.visit-the-bahamas.com/ 5) "A young female, about 18yrs old or so, suffered a bad jellyfish sting during out time on the beach, so there we were, stuck, with the knowledge that the water wasn’t safe to swim in." Source and further information: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=265471&tstart=270

I think so relative to other dangers in our lives. I did it every day for a week while on a dive trip. Dove into the ocean with just goggles and my speedo and swam for a mile or so. Absolutely exhilarating except for that time I suddenly found myself in the middle of a school of millions of tiny jelly fish. That really sucked as my face and upper torso bore the brunt of the stings and Michael Phelps would have had a hard time keeping up with me at that moment! So aside from the no jewelry, not cuts cautions already expressed here, a swim skin would have been real nice to have at that moment.