shark shield?

[Crush]

In this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...n-pulls-sharks-tail-save-woman-australia.html there is a link to this article: 'My hero': Tour guide reunited with brave rescuer who grabbed shark's tail to prevent it killing her | Mail Online - a (female) snorkeler was bitten by a shark. The article relates:

She revealed she was wearing a shark shield - a device which produces an electrical pulse that induces spasms in shark snouts - but only switched it on halfway through the attack.

I am not interested in getting a "shark shield." My initial thought is that this might be quackery. Do shark shields work? Or am I opening up a split-fin vs paddles type of debate?

 

[DevonDiver]

I saw a documentary on Discovery Channel, where they were doing research into this theory. It didn't mention whether a commercial available product was available reflecting that research.

There are examples of simple nose contact causing catatonia in sharks....the ampullae of Lorenzini (electroreceptors on a sharks snout) are highly sensitive...and direct stimulation of them seems to 'overload' the shark's senses.

I wouldn't hazard a guess at the potential success of this gadget in detering a big shark attack though...

 

[pjhansman]

I wouldn't hazard a guess at the potential success of this gadget in detering a big shark attack though...

Especially if you wait until after the first bite to turn the damn thing on....

 

[DevonDiver]

Especially if you wait until after the first bite to turn the damn thing on....

A very costly 'Doh!' moment by anyone's standards

I guess she thought she'd see the super-evolved apex predator coming...and have time to activate it first.

 

[Doubler]

Get in contact with Johnnoly @ D2D website. He uses one. From what I've read on his spearfishing escapades in WPB the thing seems to work. Think they cost around $700.

 

[Cave Diver]

Numerous prior discussion on it, including:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...ussions/230156-shark-deterrent-works-not.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/shark-forum/207545-thoughts-shark-shield.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/171724-shark-shield-does-work.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-hunting/297309-shark-deterrent.html

 

[burna]

A very costly 'Doh!' moment by anyone's standards

I guess she thought she'd see the super-evolved apex predator coming...and have time to activate it first.

I think it had more to do with not zapping her customers in the head with a trailing leash.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I saw a documentary on Discovery Channel, where they were doing research into this theory. It didn't mention whether a commercial available product was available reflecting that research.

There are examples of simple nose contact causing catatonia in sharks....the ampullae of Lorenzini (electroreceptors on a sharks snout) are highly sensitive...and direct stimulation of them seems to 'overload' the shark's senses.

I wouldn't hazard a guess at the potential success of this gadget in detering a big shark attack though...

I saw a TV show once.

.. I have a number of friends who do use shark sheilds while spearfishing in areas where frequent and agressive actions by multiple bulls sharks is not at all unusual when bleeding, struggling fish are in the water. They are expensive and I've personally seen sharks back off to a considerable extent. They work pretty well, especially if your goal is to gain a little time and a little physical buffer in order to deal with the sharks before they get too excited. I don't think that anyone claims them to be a majic sheild.



and are intended to give you some options before things can escalate to

 

[Sas]

Especially if you wait until after the first bite to turn the damn thing on....

She left it off because it was shocking other people according to the thread on the local Australian forum. When the shark attacked her she punched it in the nose and turned the shield on.

From what I hear, whether shark shields work is debatable. But have one or two friends who wear them when diving as there are great whites in the local bay.

 

[Garrobo]

One, don't dive, snorkel or ride a board in shark-infested waters. Two, try not to look like a seal. Three, if you really think you must dive near hungry man-eating sharks, carry a boomstick.