Death in Cocos from shark attack

[ScubaD1veDiv@]

I have always been excited to see sharks when diving but have not knowingly been in the presence of the more dangerous varieties of sharks. This incident has shaken my confidence as I am sure it has others. So tragic for this lady, her family, and all involved

Someone on the other thread on this accident mentioned using “Shark Shield” when diving and/or spearing in shark-prone areas. Having never heard of this, I researched the device and it seems that it has proven effective against sharks as demonstrated in many independent tests.

It would make sense to me that a dive operator would be well advised to utilize this type of device that can be easily switched on if a shark(s) begins to demonstrate aggressive behavior as well as during safety stops/at surface.

Anybody have any experience with this device or thoughts on using one?

 

[ScubaD1veDiv@]

I was attacked by a 13' Tiger shark in 1997 in the Gulf of Mexico. I was lucky that I received no life altering physical injuries, but I think about it frequently when I am in the water.

I’m glad you survived the attack diverdog1. Where in the Gulf of Mexico were you diving when attacked?

One of my favorite dives is in the Flower Gardens Marine Sanctuary. Given its 110 mile distance from shore and the fact that it is surrounded by deep blue water, it attracts large Pelagic species and sharks. We’ve been lucky so far to have never had a scary shark encounter but I think it is a high probability of occurrence at FG.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have always been excited to see sharks when diving but have not knowingly been in the presence of the more dangerous varieties of sharks. This incident has shaken my confidence as I am sure it has others. So tragic for this lady, her family, and all involved

Someone on the other thread on this accident mentioned using “Shark Shield” when diving and/or spearing in shark-prone areas. Having never heard of this, I researched the device and it seems that it has proven effective against sharks as demonstrated in many independent tests.

It would make sense to me that a dive operator would be well advised to utilize this type of device that can be easily switched on if a shark(s) begins to demonstrate aggressive behavior as well as during safety stops/at surface.

Anybody have any experience with this device or thoughts on using one?

Reef Oasis (dive shop at Viva Wyndham in Bahamas) that makes trips out to Tiger Beach and out to see the caribbean reef shark has this on the dives. It stays off unless there is an issue. I have no direct feedback for you since we (thankfully) didn't have to use it.

 

[Wingy]

Shark Shield Freedom 7 Unit « Perth Scuba

I dont use one, dont know of any divers using one personally but theyre popular with surfers and a great alternative to the shark cull.

 

[Anthony A.]

Friend of mine in Australia uses it. He was skeptical at first but one encounter after spearfishing proved that it worked. He wont dive without it now.

 

[JohnnyC]

Their efficacy seems to be based on the mood of the shark. Research seems to indicate they're effective against sharks that aren't really motivated to do anything other than check out whatever it is that has piqued their interest. They don't seem to deter attacks by sharks that are actually driven to interaction.

 

[Akimbo]

I found this editorial on Wetpixel to be insightful and thought-provoking: Editorial: Shark bite tragedy at Cocos Islands by Adam Hanlon

 

[Wookie]

Shark Shield Freedom 7 Unit « Perth Scuba

I dont use one, dont know of any divers using one personally but theyre popular with surfers and a great alternative to the shark cull.

I will tell you from personal experience from operating a liveaboard, they work and the other passengers hate them.

Seeing a shark is a thrill to me. My wife and one of my captains hate them. My wife because she feels stalked by tigers. My Captain because he had a buddy eaten in front of him. When I say eaten, I mean that the shark took the diver's legs off and came back and took the rest away. I have seen a tiger in the pacific eat a healthy gray reef shark. One second the reefie was there, the next half the reefie was there, and about 30 seconds later, the reefie was gone, and I was getting my sorry butt out of there.

Shark diving is titillating to many divers. Look at the success of Rodney Fox, the liveaboards at Guadalupe and at the sardine run in South Africa, Tiger beach and Fiji, and even the East Coast of Florida (not in state waters, of course ). It's like going on safari except someone is hand feeding the lions and flapping their ears at bull heffalumps. And we wonder why when someone gets bit. My crewmember shark feeder got her whole head in the mouth of "Buttface" the tiger shark at Tiger Beach. Buttface didn't want to eat her, she just wanted a taste. We think she didn't like the hair in her mouth, so she spit the diver out, then took a good chunk out of her shoulder. The shark left the area with inflator, LP inflator hose, shoulder of BCD, HP hose, console, computer. The feeder was understandably shook up.

They are wild animals. We are not the top of the food chain. Diving is not safe, although it can be done safely.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

A terrible tragedy. Shark shields do work. Just like air bags and seatbelts. Won't provide safety in all situations, but can be very useful in many.

The shark shields provide a deterrent to attack. They may cause a shark to circle and approach with increased caution.

This may give the divers time to notice the shark and begin to implement whatever strategies that think are best.

At the very least, the divers may want to group up together tightly so they can watch each other's backs and try to exit the situation. Defensive actions like poking with a camera, Speargun, lionfish spear etc. May also be more effective if the divers have a few moments to prepare,

A shark shield may not provide 100% protection, but I use one when spearing in locations where bullsharks are not unusual.

 

[MMM]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

threads on duplicate topic have been merged. Marg, SB Senior Moderator

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