Navy approves Shark Shield after attack

Publisher and Acelocko, please share comments on THIS one :beat:

6 May 2010

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...0506-uc46.html

AAP

The Australian Navy has approved the use of an electronic shark deterrent following an attack on one of its divers last year.

The Adelaide-based Shark Shield company said on Thursday the Navy accreditation and clearance followed seven months of testing after able seaman Paul de Gelder was attacked by a shark during a training exercise in Sydney Harbour in February, 2009.

Mr de Gelder lost his right hand and right leg in the attack.

The basic Shark Shield device weighs about 380 grams and is small enough to fit into a person's hand.

Another version has been designed to be fitted to surfboards.

The Navy approval should spark an increase in international and local orders for the Shark Shield technology, the company said.

Chairman Grant Price said the device emits electric impulses that cause great discomfort to sharks.

Sharks have hundreds of electro-receptors in their snouts, which pick up the minute electrical impulses emitted by living creatures in the water.

A Shark Shield emits impulses of greater intensity which cause sharks discomfort at a range of up to 8m.

If the shark moves further into the field they experience muscle spasms that are enough to deter an attack.

Mr Price said the Navy had chosen the Shark Shield as the most effective technology available.

"The Navy tested our product under a variety of conditions for seven months and has found it meets all criteria to improve the safety of its divers," he said.

"We are receiving enormous international interest in our device and expect general inquiries to translate to firm agreements as it becomes known that the Australian Navy relies on our technology.

"We are also hoping to extend the relationship with the Navy to supply Shark Shield to other military personnel."

Mr Price said Australia was known to have some of the most shark-populated waters on the planet, so what was seen to work in Australia had international credibility.

The device could also be used for swimmers, kayakers and fishers.

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Publisher and Acelocko, please share comments on THIS one

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Ok, good one GT! ;)

The Thai military bought these electronic tiny boxes that attaches to metal rods that they used in Iraq to detect IEDs. The small electronic boxes were taken apart and shown to be a scam.

Also, the so called Navy approval is trumpeted by the manufacturer, not the Navy, which is suspect in itself.

I sure would be glad to be wrong though!

They should make a device to prevent soda machines from falling on people when they try to knock it over. You see, more people die from that every year then shark attacks. So it doesn't matter if the device works or not, the real question is DO WE REALLY NEED SOMETHING LIKE THIS? I believe it is all a scam created to scare people into buying something. The danger of a shark attack is EXTREMELY minimal, and the money invested in this technology is a waste of resources. It would be better if that time and money was put to use in saving sharks, not defending ourselves against a non existent threat.

Well said Ace!

Chrispy :iagree:

Well said Ace! :)

Ace may be onto something here....

Vending Machines Versus Shark Death Stats

HAHAHAHAH......vending machine soup! lmfao!!!

Hahahahaha, I like this one!

It's good to know that we can now swim to beaches with less worries because of Shark Shields. Those shields are very important since we don't have any idea what time and where sharks will attack. Scary shark attacks stories are proofs that a shark is indeed a very dangerous animal. However, even they are identified the kings of the sea, they are still a number of sharks that have experienced cruelty. Now, there are many mysterious shark deaths.The proof is here: Dead shark mysteries pile up in 2011.

Ow!!! that shark shield device is incredible!
Great minds!