When you have cut loose the first hundred or so sharks you will be very cautious and on guard. When you have released many sharks successfully, complacency sets in. When you feel that way make a special effort to pay attention or you will be a statistic. The biggest danger to the wireman is the angler. A good angler keeps the wire safely out of the way and free of tangles.
Amateurs get the leader on the wireman or looped on the rod.
Leader wire lying on the rod eyes will rip the eyes off the rod when an uncontrollable shark bolts away, especially the first eye down from the tip. When you wire a fish alone make sure it is played out. Two people should wire the fish if possible. A good wire man will guide a shark to the boat as opposed to hauling by brute strength. Some of the large blues can get the tail into the cockpit and give you a head slap if you're not alert.