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Surfing

21st of March, 2005
Hoppy
Surfer
Cactus Beach, South Australia

Just returned from 10 days surfing at Point Sinclair using one of your units. I found it gave me much more confidence in the water and enabled me to relax and not spend all my time looking over my shoulder after 2 close encounters here last year. Only complaints being a fairly short legged person I found the unit to be a touch long on my lower leg and a touch restrictive when paddling and riding smaller waves [not often a problem at this spot].

I am all round won over by your product and noticed my mates though at first a little sceptical sat a damn lot closer to me than usual [maybe another complaint]. Anyway thanks for the peace of mind, extended surf time and enabling me to recapture my passion for the surf. Keep up the good work. Cheers Hoppy.

• Importantly, Shark Shield doesn't impede on my surfing action.
• The Shark Shield is portable and doesn't make much longer to set up than attaching a normal leg rope to the board.
• The Shark Shield is easily cleaned after a surf.
• My family and wife never liked the idea of me surfing alone on the west coast before, but now they are all comfortable with it.
• Mainly, the Shark Shield lets me feel comfortable and relaxed while I'm out surfing, especially since the shark sightings are becoming more frequent.
• In essence, once one of the local lads at Elliston got taken, most of my friends gave up. I found out about the Shark Shield and haven't been more comfortable since wearing the unit.
• After only 3 months use of the Shark Shield, I am reluctant to go surfing without it.

Whenever I go out, the guys know I'm wearing a shark repellent and all hang around me like flies.

 

I heard about this new Shark Shield product that was on the market, so as an experiment I purchased a personal diver unit and set it up on the top of the net. It kept the sharks away! Now I don't drop my net unless the Shark Shield unit is fully charged, because, since purchasing the unit six months ago, I have not had one shark problem. They still follow the net up, but stay a few metres away thoroughly frustrated.

I contacted the manufacturers in Adelaide to tell them how well it worked and found out that they have two new professional units called ProLine and Mariner, which produce a larger field and adapts to our nets very easily. Recently I did an experiment by leaving the unit uncharged, amazingly the sharks got into the net. I won't do that again.

The units are very robust, come with mains and 12V accessory charger and, apart from a fresh water wash, require very little maintenance.

This new technology has saved me time and money.

I can still remember the first time I mentioned to a new class that we would be wearing them on their first sea dive. Amazingly, although some of these males were rather macho, every student seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and statements followed like “I've been paranoid, but just didn't want to broach the whole shark thing.”

From then on I realised I did not have a problem, and the word got around that we were offering “Shark Free Dive Courses.” The product was moved to a high visual area in the shop and customers we did not know walked in and bought it. This year we have sold many units, which has impacted well on our bottom line.

Our sales are to existing divers, surfers, swimmers, snorkellers and new dive students. One of the things that has helped us with sales to new and certified divers is the use of Shark Shields for training and on the deco bar.

I personally have been diving for many many years and it wasn't until a few months later, after wearing shark protection, that I realised that I too was even more relaxed. Sharks have never stopped me from diving, but they took the edge off sometimes.

One of the most disappointing aspects of my business is the time spent on training a novice only to see them not continue with the sport I love. I believe that shark protection will give them the confidence, after leaving the safe confines of the instructor, to venture by themselves.

This new technology will have a significant effect on all water users in the future.

My first reaction was to check that the Shark Shield was working by crossing one leg over the other, the braided steel “tail” immediately causing my opposite leg to twitch uncomfortably as it brushed over it. By this time I was 10m below the surface, and signalled my deckhand to lower the decompression shot-line. The shark had continued on a parallel course and in fact briefly broke the surface with its dorsal fin before making an unhurried turn downwards in my direction. Head-on, the shark was a very intimidating sight and prior to this moment I never really felt “threatened” by its presence. It halted 5-6m away from me. I had the distinct impression that the shark sensed something was “not right” about the wetsuit-clad creature which was the focus of its interest. Several times, it swam out almost to the limit of visibility (15m) before returning and stopping again at the same distanced from me.

The minutes were ticking by as I kept one eye on the shark and the other on my decompression meter. Had the shark begun to behave aggressively, I would probably have boarded the boat immediately, but the Shark Shield appeared to keep it from approaching too close. To say that I felt “safe” would be an overstatement-one feels very vulnerable dangling solo off a line in 50m water in the presence of a 4m Great White Shark-but the Shark Shield gave me the confidence to complete my decompression and avoid a possible incidence of the “bends”. The last I saw of the shark was its tail disappearing into the distance; this was a moment I chose to quickly climb into the boat, turning the Shark Shield off once I was on the dive ladder and out of harm's reach.

My lifestyle involves diving many remote and deep water locations off the west and south coasts of Australia. The Shark Shield offers me an element of safety and peace of mind without which I would be unable to pursue my chosen profession with the same enthusiasm.

Visibility was incredible. At a depth of 10M the vis was about 35M. My bag was half full and I was working outside the cage and changing position - that's when I saw it!

This Great White was BIG, 5M at least and coming straight in. The cage was too far away, but almost between me and the shark. It came directly towards me, but as it got to approximately 5M from the cage it shook and almost turned inside out - that's when I realised it had hit the “Shark POD field” that I had set up on the cage.

My relief diver had previously had a similar experience and had told me that “Shark PODs work”. Now I believe him.”

 

Dion Edmunds
Abalone diver
Streaky Bay, South Australia

“Ever since Damon had a very bad encounter with a very large Great White at Purdie Island in 1996, we have looked into any way of avoiding another encounter with Great White Sharks. We started out by using an underwater cage unit which we found very restrictive and unsuitable for our working environment, therefore found we still needed to dive freely on hookah gear most working days.

When we saw the first Shark POD unit on the market, we looked into the type of protection it could provide us. We decided to purchase the first model which wasn't quite what we expected, as we needed to use a unit which had a power source on the boat and a hard wire attached to the dive hose. This unit proved unworkable, as the hard wire was too heavy for our air hose and caused it to sink to the bottom and constantly became caught on rocks, reef etc. Therefore we basically used it as a safety unit, which we kept in the boat, so it could be used in the event of another problem.

The day came when I was diving in approx. 35-40 feet off Flinders Island in low visibility, and had been in the water for about 1.5 hours. I was inflating a parachute when a Great White shark, approximately 10 feet in length, approached me. I laid flat on the bottom until Damon got the message to send the Shark POD down to me. I had seen the shark pass very close by five times in about 30 minutes, before the POD was sent down to me, switched on. I stayed on the bottom for another 15 minutes before I felt confident enough to break for the surface. From the moment the POD was in the water, I never saw the shark again. Since the Oz PODS have been available we (my brother Damon and I) have used these every time we enter the water and have found it gives us confidence to dive in most places, without the encumbrance of a cage. We have come to trust and rely on the Shark POD.”

I was however, a little sceptical of the protection that the inventors claimed the unit to have, but my doubts were short lived after my fourth confrontation.

I was diving in approx. 25 feet of water for Blacklip Abalone when the swell built up, making it too uncomfortable to work “blacks” so I swam out to the drop off of approx. 45 feet. As I swam out, I caught sight of an 11 feet White Pointer swimming in towards me. I sat on the bottom and watched as he turned and swam along the face of me approx. 18 feet away, and then turned in toward me. I realized then that the battery was low, as the red light was on and remembered Mike telling me that fully charged, the protective electrical field is approx. 7 metres in diameter. How far was it when only half charged? The Shark kept coming straight at me, not rushing, but definitely curious. He hit the field approx. 10 feet away from me and unbelievably it was like he hit a brick wall. He turned tail and bolted leaving me in a wash. I sat on the bottom for a further few minutes but never caught sight of him again. I was that confident, even with a low battery, that I finished filling my bag and returned to the boat where my sheller was totally oblivious to the Shark.”

My many years of diving with these incredible creatures has led to a great respect and a firm belief that a shark protection unit that enables people to enter the water without fear will ultimately help to ensure the sharks survival in the future.

The incredible invention of the “Shark POD” technology is a tribute to the dedication and perseverance of a company setting new ground.

My early scepticism changed when I witnessed sharks repulsed from baits set out to attract them. But it took me considerable time to leave the protection of a barred cage, protected only by an invisible electrical field. This I did to test the POD's effect on sharks in a series of experiments - but it worked. I however do not recommend that this technology be used with Great White sharks in “hot spot” areas as a sole form of protection.

Over recent years I have followed the trials and eventual manufacture of the new “Shark Shield”. This unit is lighter and smaller than the old POD with a larger more powerful battery. It is also much more user friendly allowing greater flexibility of use.

People often ask me, “Does it work?” - YES. But can I give a 100% guarantee against shark attacks? - NO. The one thing that stands out in my years of research is the unpredictable nature of the animal.

I firmly believe that in the vast majority of cases, when used correctly, it will repel most sharks, but it should not be seen as an invincible tool leading us to believe that now the ocean is our domain. And perhaps this is a good thing, a part of the planet we can not dominate.

With the help of “Shark Shield”, and if used correctly, we now have the opportunity to explore the oceans with less risk.

I had a similar situation with a 3m Bronze Whaler, where it hit the field and quickly took off.

Every professional and recreational diver working in my area lives with the fear of shark attack - my own brother Paul was taken by a Great White.

I will never enter the water without my Shark Shield, as I am convinced this will lessen the risk.

I find donning the Shark Shield before a dive is easy and it is comfortable to wear. You don't really know you are wearing the unit while diving.

Wearing the Shark Shield has given me a better peace of mind. Now I go to some dive sites that I have not dived for a long time - sites that have a reputation for being sighted there, and I mean big sharks (White Pointers). Now I dive these sites and feel better within myself knowing I am protected by the Shark Shield. I know its impossible to be protected in every situation, but knowing I have the Shark Shield on makes my diving that every bit more enjoyable and dive time longer.

Its funny how many divers like to be your dive buddy when you are wearing a Shark Shield and its not always the lady divers that want to be your buddy. I recommend the Shark Shield to anyone. I think I have talked a couple of divers into getting the Shark Shield and they tell me how much more they enjoy their dives now.

Thank you for your time in reading this. I hope I have helped you make your decision in buying a Shark Shield.

The Shark POD and footplate were fixed about 90cm apart to a buoy and submersed in the water with the POD just below the surface. The switch for the unit was accessible from the boat. It took several hours for a shark to come close enough, but finally one swam under the boat a couple of times. The shark returned swimming across the back of the boat. As it reached the port side of the boat it rolled on to its side readying for an attack to the motor. As the shark drew level with the prop I activated the Shark POD, which was submersed on the starboard side about 2 metres away from the outboard leg. The shark immediately shuddered and froze. After several seconds it veered sharply away from the boat and disappeared.

The cost of the Shark POD was certainly vindicated. Simply the Shark POD is as much a part of our dive equipment as the air tank.

I purchased the unit from Rosalind (SeaChange USA) who was very helpful in my decision to purchase this product, as she answered all the questions I had about the system.

I feel people should be aware of the information about this product with the increasing number of shark bites we have experienced recently in Florida.

I just got it (Freedom 4) the other day and so I didn't think the charge would last the whole time we were out, so I had it at the ready, not expecting it would come to this. I had the antennae loosely coiled up in the back, and as it came at us I plopped the antennae in the water, and reached for the switch. My wife and I were hoping to God it would work. We didn't know if it would. How would we know, I just read the manual two nights before in the hotel room. Well I turned it on, and thank God, it acted as if I annoyed it terribly, and turned tail with a splash and ran off.

I really actually owe my life to this thing; moreover it saved the life of my kid's mom. This may sound like it's too perfect to be true but it's true, I only wish I had it on video. It's the best $600 I ever spent!

This is the home of the Great White Shark. The only way that we can feel safe is by using Shark Shield. Our customers are much more relaxed knowing we are using a protective device. Shark Shield is a great scientific breakthrough.

When my friend started opening his mouth about all the giant sharks in the waters before the trip my wife insisted I bring my old, and never used, Shark Pod for my son. As far as MY safety was concerned she was OK with me swimming around with a pork chop tied to my leg. I decided to buy a couple of those new Shark Shields that Mark Labocetta brought up on the list and once my buddy saw how small and simple they were he had me buy one for him.

The Shark Shield was interesting. I didn't use it on my body until the last few days on Wakaya as I hadn't seen any of the vaunted maneaters I had heard about, just numerous big reefies smaller bronze whalers, and the visibility was good enough that I felt I would see something coming in. However, it definitely works and I would use it without hesitation in murky water or on some of those crazy trips the hardcore guys go on to Guadalupe or wherever. On Vomo I attached it to my float where my stringer was, and in a virtual first, didn't lose a fish on a 3 hour dive. Normally, trailing your fish on a stringer 75 feet behind you is like ringing the lunch bell.

There were sharks on every dive so it was easy to test. I actually speared a fish and held it out and waved it around. I couldn't get a shark near me. They would come in and veer away. Same thing when I didn't have the fish. Usually I can dive down and jab them with my gun to get them away but with the shield I couldn't get close enough to do it. It was like they hit an invisible wall that not only stops them but irritates them. For blue water diving, where you can have some monster sharks coming out from any direction, particularly the often observed behavior of tiger sharks just stealthily appearing at your fin tips, I would call the shield a no brainer. Same thing for the Florida guys who dive murky water with those bull sharks. In Northern California, SouthAfrica, Australia and other areas where great whites are prevalent and water visibility is marginal it would make for more relaxed diving.

As I am often diving in remote parts of the world, I am grateful for, and enthusiastically support, products such as the Shark Shield that are so well designed and effective - especially for freedivers who are trying to minimize bulk and stay streamlined.

Later in the day I was diving down without a tank. Whilst retrieving a fish that had fallen off a spear, I came into a collision with another Bull Shark chasing the same fish - needless to say it broke off the charge again. So your product works!! And might I say it was easy to use, in fact I was not overly aware of its presence even though the sharks were! I have friends that swim with the shark shield and others who use it at my surf club on their surf skis, so it obviously brings others peace of mind as well.

So more power to you and good luck with Shark Shield.

As a Free-diver and Spearfisherman, I am very careful selecting new gear as I am sensitive to any adjustments. The General Purpose Shark Shield unit made me a little unsure. In the water swimming with it, I was aware of it for the first 10-15 minutes. However, after some adjustments in my kicking I felt little difference. I deliberately dragged the General Purpose unit through stag-horn coral, caves and most every rough surface to see if it would get caught up, and in the last six months of regular diving I've had to reach back and unhook it twice. Its only 2m long.

Sure I notice it being there, its about the same drag as like a large knife on your leg. However, on the rare occasion when the men in grey suits turn up (sharks), I thank God its on there.

My thoughts on wearing the Shark Shield are similar to driving a car, "Why wait for a car crash to put your seat belt on?"

The best version of the Shark Shield for spearfishing, in my opinion, is the Freedom 2 or 4 unit. The electronics and battery are in a neoprene pouch that is strapped to your calf. From this pouch extends a seven foot long tether antenna containing two electrodes, which trails unobtrusively behind the diver. I like this unit because it is easy to take on and off between dives and there is no interference with your kicking, you tend to almost forget it is there. The manufacturer says Freedom 4 is fast becoming the most popular unit for those who dive. Freedom 2 has a 2 hour battery pack, whereas the Freedom 4 has a 4 hour battery. I was an early adopter of this technology, having used it now for almost two years. I usually leave the Shark Shield turned off until I spear a fish, unless I already see sharks or the visibility is low. The Shark Shield can shock you and your fellow divers if the tether antenna is touched, but the tingle is not a bad shock.

The electric pulse the Shark Shield puts out every half-second only affects sharks, rays and skates. Other fish and marine creatures are not disturbed. It does not scare away the fish we are seeking to spear and it does not attract sharks to you. The effective protective range in my observations starts about ten to fifteen feet away as the shark approaches. His initial discomfort increases as he gets closer until it becomes intolerable. The shark then veers away. The bottom line is that this is a great product that works well. I will not leave home without it. The Shark Shield is the best solution for spearfishing with sharks on the market today.

When the bull got in range of the shark shield he immediately stopped, almost as if he hit a wall, and returned to the bottom as fast as he had come up for the wahoo. Awesome! If the shield stopped a charging bull shark on its way to a 'fish on a stick' then this product really works well.