The Shark Shield is scientifically proven to be the most effective electronic shark repellant device available today.
Shark Shield Swats Sharks Aside with Science
All forms of saltwater recreation are now safer than ever thanks to the Shark Shield, a revolutionary device in shark repellant technology. Previously, fear of possible shark attacks kept many seaside sports enthusiasts out of the water and away from their favorite hobbies. Now, however, this fear can be a thing of the past, as divers, surfers, kayakers, and more enjoy surf and sea without needing to worry about their shark safety.
How It Works
Shark Shield technology is based off of research into electrical waveforms performed by South Africa’s Kwazulu Natal Shark Board in the 1990s. Though these shields come in many shapes and styles for many different forms of activity, the underlying science is the same in all of them.
All Shark Shield products utilize a pair of electrodes that, when immersed in saltwater, create an elliptical field of electromagnetism around the user. This field envelops the user like a protective bubble of shark-free space, harmlessly turning aside any sharks that may get within range of the shield.
What do Sharks Have Against Electromagnetism?
All predatory shark species contain in their snout small sacs full of gel known as “Ampullae of Lorenzini.” These sacs form a natural sensory network system beneath the skin of the shark that acts as a short-range sensor. With this sensor, sharks are able to detect the weak electromagnetic fields given off by all living creatures. They use this natural scanner to detect prey hiding from them in the sand and better orient themselves to any sudden movement nearby.
The Shark Shield exploits this impressive natural advantage in predatory sharks by turning it against them. The electromagnetic field that the shield device generates is much more powerful than any background electromagnetism given off by living things in the water. When a shark approaches this powerful electromagnetic field, its Ampullae of Lorenzini lights up, causing harmless yet uncontrollable muscle spasms. Rather than deal with these spasms, the shark chooses to flee and seek different potential prey.
In other words, this device gives sharks a massive headache whenever they get too close to the user. The shark then decides that it has better things to do than deal with this and runs off.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shark Shield
Is It Safe?
The great thing about the shield’s effect is that it is non-damaging to the user, the shark, and the surrounding environment. The electromagnetic field has no effect on the user and cannot even be felt. The shark, meanwhile, recovers from its migraine as soon as it is out of range of the device, and only experiences it again if it tries to come back to try again. Meanwhile, underwater species that the user might actually want near them remain unaffected by the device.
Of course, because it involves an electrical generator underwater, the Shark Shield does come with the same potential risks as any other electronic device when handled incorrectly. While following the advice of the instruction manual prevents any threat of danger, the electrodes of the shield are still giving off a faint electric signal.
Direct contact with these electrodes while in the water can cause some slight muscle twitching in time with the pulse of the device. Because these signals do not pass through body tissues, they pose no health concern. Contact with the electrodes outside of the water, however, increases the strength of this pulse. As such, those with potentially risky medical conditions such as heart disease or epilepsy are advised against using the device, just in case.
Does It Attract Sharks?
One of the most common and incorrect myths surrounding the Shark Shield is that it attracts more sharks in the first place. This is due largely to a misconception about the sharks themselves and the abilities of their Ampullae of Lorenzini.
Sharks can sense electromagnetic fields, true, but the ability has a very short range. In most species, this range is less than a single meter. At this distance, the shark can already see and hear you, so the electromagnetic shield presents no further indicator of your presence. And it definitely cannot call out to sharks from a distance.
What Does It Deter?
One of the biggest advantages that Shark Shield has over other types of shark repellant devices is that it is proven effective on all members of the Elasmobranch class of fish. This includes all known predatory shark species, as well as other potential ocean hazards such as rays and skates. All of these creatures contain Ampullae of Lorenzini; therefore, all are deterred by the device.
Some species of shark exhibit higher tolerance than others to the electromagnetic field generated by the shield. These include sharks whose Ampullae are located beneath their snout or who have a diminished Ampullae overall. However, the types of sharks that fall into these categories are generally not considered a threat to humans.
All of this makes the Shark Shield the ideal companion to anyone looking to have fun in, on, or under the waves without needing to worry about keeping a lookout for approaching fins.
