Shark protection

[admason]

Is there a failsafe way to protect yourself from sharks?

[andy hughes]

The short answer is no. Some species of shark, the Great White (of 'Jaws' fame) being the best known example, which will take a bite at anything that swims past. Some sharks are more timid than others, ducking your head under water and shouting may frighten them off, but the sobering fact is that sharks are predators, and if they think a swimmer or diver looks like a fish in distress, they may well attack. Keeping very still may mean a shark loses interest, but there's not a lot you can do to avoid a determined shark who thinks you are lunch.

[jayne b-t]

An Australian company called SeaChange Technology has a device for successfuly repelling sharks. It weighs about a pound and is strapped to the ankle. It produces an electrical field that interferes with the shark's central nervous system and prevents it from coming within six feet of the user. The shark expereinces a slight discomfort as it appraoches the electrical field until it causes intolerable muscle spasms. It doesn't do the shark any lasting harm and doesn't hurt humans or other undersea creatures. It costs about �250.

[clawre]

Without sounding stupid, you could, if you were a surfer, paint an 'eye' on the base of your surf board. Apparently this intimidates them. The device is a good idea, and not swimming with them PERIOD is a somewhat great idea! If you have an arm free, you could punch them really hard on the nose whilst they're chewing on your leg but seriously, swimming with the likes of reef sharks isn't too dangerous. Hanging around in the South Australian Bite or Frazer Island with flippers on - well, you need you'll need your head checking - so summing up where you're planning on taking a dip is good advise! Sorry if I haven't told you anything you didn't already know! Regards, One legged Captain Jim the Deep Sea Fisherman