RALEIGH - With two shark attacks within two hours of each other last weekend, many are realizing they must be aware of their surroundings on North Carolina beaches.

Paul Barrington, Director of Husbandry and Operations for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, says as people are playing around they are unknowingly making sounds similar to prey sharks feed on.

"So you've got this low visibility situation, a high volume of what sharks are normally feeding on, and then you throw in the mix of our visitors who come to the coast to enjoy being out in the water," he says.

Two people, both who lost limbs, are still in the hospital after they were attacked by sharks within 90 minutes of each other near Oak Island.

Barrington says it is a tragic case of mistaken identity. He says you should avoiding swimming early in the morning and late at night when sharks are more active in their feeding.

He says if you encounter a shark, use caution.

"Obviously be aware, try to back out of the water at a very slow pace not to create anymore activity in the water. Try to keep your eyes on that animal," he says.