[R. Scott]

According to data available at the International Shark Attack File, there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks around the world in 2004; seven of these resulted in fatalities.

Guess I don’t have to worry about it – or rush out and buy a Shark Shield.

[Calpernia]

GPSS02 $479.95

If you spearfish, surf, swim, dive or snorkel, enjoy the ocean with your personal Shark Exclusion Zone when wearing a Shark Shield™.

The Shark Shield™ Freedom 4 hour unit is a compact, versatile and lightweight personal unit designed for freedivers, snorkelers, swimmers, surfers and scuba divers.

[llevrok]

Headline
MAN BITES DOGFISH

[sergeantdave]

I try to avoid water where the things living there can eat you in one bite.

[Mongeaux]

They have a version now for surfboards as well. The shield works by putting out an electromagnetic field that scrambles Shark Senses when they get close. The shield is not perfect, however. There has been at least one fatal attack on a diver who was wearing the device, perhaps improperly. Great Whites are known for suprise attacks where they build up an enormous head of steam, hitting speeds up to 20mph before barrelling into their target. With that much headway a small electromagnetic field is unliely to stop them in the last second or so of the attack. But it's better than nothing.

[gitmo]

[gitmo]

From their website:

The SeaChange Technology test programme - Shark Shield™ products have been thoroughly tested in both South Africa and South Australia against Great Whites. Field testing involves attracting sharks using blood and offal, under stringently controlled conditions. The unit is turned on and placed into the water with fish bait attached, to attract the shark. The shark's behaviour is then observed and recorded as it investigates the food source. The testing conducted to date proves conclusively that sharks detest the effect the field has on them, and will keep a safe distance between themselves and the Shark Shield™. These tests involved independent marine biologists.

[free_at_jsl.com]

From my SCUBA experience (just PADI open-water) I've found that sharks will not bother you if you don't bother them. If you see one, the best thing to do is ignore it. They will sense fear and will react to sudden movements.

I'm not convinced that this "shield" would be 100% effective. Sharks are often unpredictable and this thing might antagonize a shark into attacking. It projects an annoying electric field and the shark may attack to make it stop.

JSL

[Charlespg]

http://www.bangsticks.com/qanda.html

[Psycho_Bunny]

According to data available at the International Shark Attack File, there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks around the world in 2004; seven of these resulted in fatalities.

 

Shark Attacks in 2004

Unprovoked	Provoked
Maulings: 54	Teasing Shark With Food:  Maulings - 6, Deaths - 3
Deaths: 7	Giving Shark The Raspberry:  Maulings - 4, Deaths - 7
	Verbal Insult of Shark:  Maulings - 7, Deaths - 2
	Flipping Shark Off:  Maulings - 0, Deaths - 16

[Wheee The People]

I just pass gas in the water. It makes a kewl balloon in my swim suit, neat bubbles and it scares off everything for a mile away.

[wildbill]

I keep hearing all the time about how shark attacks are often caused by the shark's failure to distinguish between humans and seals.

But every time I see one of these devices, it's color is black, just like a seal. Does anyone detect a failure to communicate here?