Green Lazer used as a shark repellant?

[JTDivers]

Hey Everyone,

Hope the day is going well for my fellow divers. Here is my question to all of my fellow gadget freaks. I have been seeing more and more hits on the use of a "green laser" being used to shun any potential shark encounters. Does anyone know if this is actually true or is this a "new and improved" version of snake oil? I just read an article that a "shark shield" test bed was actually hit by a Great White in S. Africa. The upper management of that company is giving the soft shoe to get around this fupha. Anyway, any insight would be great. Thanks again and remember, live, love, dive....

 

[Dive Junky]

Hmmm!!! Shark repelant? I spend loads of time and money looking for them. Not really interested in scaring them away. Don't think they are much of a threat. Spend your money on dive gear instead and enjoy the rare encounter you have with these beautiful creatures.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Yeah, it's tough enough to get close to sharks without scaring them...

 

[JTDivers]

Thanks for the replies. I did forget to mention that I was not looking to get one for myself. It was just a bit of info/scuba trivia I ran across on another dive site, and never heard of using a class IIIa laser light show as a valid way to shake an apex predator, I was just wondering. It was one of those topics that cause you to scratched your head saying..."what?" The idea of using a pointing devise to shoo away a shark if one came around looking for a quick bite sounded a tad bizarre. Besides, don't think you would even know until after you were hit by one of the white pointers that they were in the area. On the rare chance one was around on the North Coast.

 

[Web Monkey]

Thanks for the replies. I did forget to mention that I was not looking to get one for myself. It was just a bit of info/scuba trivia I ran across on another dive site, and never heard of using a class IIIa laser light show as a valid way to shake an apex predator, I was just wondering. It was one of those topics that cause you to scratched your head saying..."what?" The idea of using a pointing devise to shoo away a shark if one came around looking for a quick bite sounded a tad bizarre. Besides, don't think you would even know until after you were hit by one of the white pointers that they were in the area. On the rare chance one was around on the North Coast.

I have no idea if it works, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did, since sharks don't have a lot of experience with lasers. Maybe suddenly becoming blind in one eye disturbs it enough that it would leave.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Terry

 

[H2Andy]

YouTube - Austin Powers goldmember - sharks with laser beam

 

[Dive Junky]

Besides, don't think you would even know until after you were hit by one of the white pointers that they were in the area.

Good point. Could just imagine fumbling for the Dang thing as the shark's teeth sunk into the side of me.

 

[deco_martini]

Yes, an unsubmerged shark shield was eaten. It basically proved that shark shields are not good protection for surfers.

 

[james croft]

Many shark attacks are on swimmers who are ambushed and never see the shark. Good luck deploying a lazer.

Quit worrying about the sharks you can see...

 

[JTDivers]

Exactly, the ones you can see are not going to be the problem for the most part. Out here in Monterey and the surrounding areas, the vis can drop to a level that makes it a bit difficult to see much further than 10 ft at times. It is interesting the different types of gadgets that are available, I am rather surprised that the class IIIa laser is available for the civilian market since the feds have banned all class IV lasers with the exception of the military. We have also seen an increase in incidence with locals using them to hit aircraft at night since the bandwidth of this particular type of laser is much more powerful than the red ones. You can chalk this up under "worthless trivia for $500.00"