Shark Shield repels sharks… and fear

Posted by Evan Haussmann on 27 January 2012

Don’t become a statistic

With the number of shark attack incidents that make the news every year you’d be remiss not to consider a Shark Shield as a preventative measure.

Next time you venture into the ocean do so without fear of a shark attack with The Shark Shield product range. Shark Shield, available in configurations for swimmers, divers and surfers, uses technology developed by the Natal Parks Board in 1990’s.

How does it work?

‘The Shark Shield generates an electrical field that, it is believed, is detected by the shark through its sensory receptors, known as the Ampullae of Lorenzini, found on the snouts of all predator sharks. Once detected by the sharks’ sensors, the field causes muscular spasms that result in the shark being repelled from the area. The field is projected from the unit by two electrodes, which create an elliptical field that surrounds the user.’  – Shark Shield website

The Shark Shield Freedom 7 and Surf

The Shark Shield Freedom 7 is the most versatile unit in the range. It weighs 69 grams and comes with a neoprene and velcro pouch to attach to your ankle. A 2.2m flexible mesh antenna trails the user and once submerged in salt water the electrodes emit a protective field. The ‘exclusion zone’ has a 3-5m radius from the centre of antenna. The rechargeable battery provides protection for six to seven hours per charge.The Shark Shield Surf has similar specs but is purpose-built to attach to a surfboard and comes with a mounting plate and deck grip kick patch to cover the mounting plate. Divers get a slightly different setup with a smaller plate antenna.

Costs and arm and a leg

Price: R5700 for the Scuba and Freedom 7 and R5300 for the Surf.

Visit Shark Shield (SA) for more info

 

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