MERGED - Shark attack on yak 3/18- Monterey Bay

You really think that cable is going to keep this monster from feeding?

I wouldn't use the word "Stop" and instead use; "Deter or Prevent".  There is no device that would 100% stop GWS attacks but we can take precautions.  We who enjoy the ocean know that there are risks and its up to each individual to take precautions.  Its a matter of choice and mine is to use a SS. 

Jump to 11 minutes about a commissioned study by the Government of Australia.  "The Shark Shield has received the most attention and is the most effective in the market"

You really think that cable is going to keep this monster from feeding?

Of course, I paid 700.00.  Question is, do ya'all have life insurance for those you love?  Hope I do not invoke a supernatural experience.

What you bought was piece of mind. 

What I see is SS preying on those that fear sharks. Every time there is an attack they see dollar signs. I'm sure you purchased yours because you fear them and you think that this device is going to protect you from being attacked. But odds are you won't be attacked anyway and they made a sale.

I respect sharks and know that they are always around. When I jump into the water I know I'm entering the food chain but odds are that I'll be fine. If I'm ever attacked then it was just me being at the wrong place and the wrong time and my number came up.

I have plenty of life insurance but it probably won't cover me if I die diving 

BTW Does SS provide a guarantee or a policy of some sort if you are attacked that I don't know about?

https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/diet-and-fitness/surfing-and-snowboarding/articles/shark-repellents-review

So how effective are electrical shark deterrents at preventing an attack?


Shark Shield is the only electrical repellent on the market that's been independently shown to be effective at deterring sharks from biting. The electrical field is created by a two-metre cord that trails behind the user. For divers and swimmers, the device is wrapped around the ankle (Freedom 7, $749), while for surfers and kayaks there's a different model (Surf 7, $749) that requires installation directly onto a board.

While Shark Shield can deter a shark from attacking, it won't do so every time. The most recent study of the device by scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) found it prevented great whites and tiger sharks from attacking most of the time, but it wasn't always effective. An earlier study by the South Australian Research and Development Institute also found the device was effective in deterring great whites, but noted it didn't "deter or repel this species in all situations, nor did it repel all individuals".

And user reports back this up. A South Australian abalone diver told CHOICE he knew of two people who had been attacked while wearing a Shark Shield.

But while Shark Shield has been shown to be effective at least some of the time, it turns out not all electrical repellents are created equally. UWA researchers found that electrical repellents compacted into an anklet were ineffective at repelling sharks.

As Dr Charlie Huveneers, a shark expert at Flinders University explains, "the effectiveness of an electrical deterrent partly depends on the strength and frequency of the electrical pulse they emit and configuration of the electrodes".

The trailing cord of the Shark Shield means the electrodes are spread far apart, but the electrodes are much closer together on anklet devices, offering less protection.

I'm with you on the respect of the beast and the odds, and if it is your day nothing can stop the experience, so I did purchase peace of mind but won't lean on it as my intuition for "I'm having a warning feeling, kinda sick, kinda hair standing up chicken skin weirdness, always praying though for level of courage, wisdom, and safety.  Thanks for the reply.

I was diving that day but a little further south...glad the landlord was North of me.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

You really think that cable is going to keep this monster from feeding?

Of course, I paid 700.00.  Question is, do ya'all have life insurance for those you love?  Hope I do not invoke a supernatural experience.

What you bought was piece of mind. 

What I see is SS preying on those that fear sharks. Every time there is an attack they see dollar signs. I'm sure you purchased yours because you fear them and you think that this device is going to protect you from being attacked. But odds are you won't be attacked anyway and they made a sale.

I agree completely. A shark shield give you a false sense of security. There is a far cheaper way to avoid getting hit, stay out of the water.

SS may not stop a polaris attack, but Ill bet it will prevent the followup attack; and the followup attack is when you will get hurt.  Im happy to have mine. Worth it.

People still die while wearing seat belts.  They just provide a false sense of security.  Seat belt manufacturers prey on the fears of car accidents.  I'm not buying it.

Inshallah.

 I you think seat belts provide a false sense of security, you definitely should not waste your money on a Shark Shield.

SS may not stop a polaris attack, but Ill bet it will prevent the followup attack; and the followup attack is when you will get hurt.  Im happy to have mine. Worth it.

And you would lose that bet. A shark shield will not deter a GWS from coming back at you while you are in the water.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-18/shark-shields-tested-attack/4076368

Researcher Charlie Huveneers wrote up the results.

"In South Australia with the static bait, we did not find any differences in the proportion of bait being consumed by white sharks whether the shield was turned on or off," he said.

"There are situations where the white sharks were still capable of getting very close to the shark shield, within half a metre, and was still capable of consuming a bait."

SS may not stop a polaris attack, but Ill bet it will prevent the followup attack; and the followup attack is when you will get hurt.  Im happy to have mine. Worth it.

And you would lose that bet. A shark shield will not deter a GWS from coming back at you while you are in the water.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-18/shark-shields-tested-attack/4076368

Researcher Charlie Huveneers wrote up the results.

"In South Australia with the static bait, we did not find any differences in the proportion of bait being consumed by white sharks whether the shield was turned on or off," he said.

"There are situations where the white sharks were still capable of getting very close to the shark shield, within half a metre, and was still capable of consuming a bait."

"In South Australia with the static bait, we did not find any differences in the proportion of bait being consumed by white sharks whether the shield was turned on or off," he said.


I dont argue this test result, but I do not keep "static bait" on board my kayak. I dont usually even keep that many fish. Kayak attacks (on me anyway) are impulse attacks, not bait driven frenzied attacks.

SS may not stop a polaris attack, but Ill bet it will prevent the followup attack; and the followup attack is when you will get hurt.  Im happy to have mine. Worth it.

And you would lose that bet. A shark shield will not deter a GWS from coming back at you while you are in the water.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-18/shark-shields-tested-attack/4076368

Researcher Charlie Huveneers wrote up the results.

"In South Australia with the static bait, we did not find any differences in the proportion of bait being consumed by white sharks whether the shield was turned on or off," he said.

"There are situations where the white sharks were still capable of getting very close to the shark shield, within half a metre, and was still capable of consuming a bait."

"In South Australia with the static bait, we did not find any differences in the proportion of bait being consumed by white sharks whether the shield was turned on or off," he said.


I dont argue this test result, but I do not keep "static bait" on board my kayak. I dont usually even keep that many fish. Kayak attacks (on me anyway) are impulse attacks, not bait driven frenzied attacks.

If you are in the water, you are static bait.

I don't smell like old tuna. 

According to the boaters who pulled me out of the water, I got stalked from behind before getting attacked.
It came from behind then showed its dorsal and then made its move.  It first bumped the stern making me go up a few feet --  then bit the front underside.

Just like this video.  If I had a SS at that time I am pretty sure it would have backed off. 

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/07/great-white-shark-research-population-behavior/?utm_source=NatGeocom&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=inside_20160616&utm_campaign=Content&utm_rd=1800002484

According to the boaters who pulled me out of the water, I got stalked from behind before getting attacked.
It came from behind then showed its dorsal and then made its move.  It first bumped the stern making me go up a few feet --  then bit the front underside.

Just like this video.  If I had a SS at that time I am pretty sure it would have backed off. 

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/07/great-white-shark-research-population-behavior/?utm_source=NatGeocom&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=inside_20160616&utm_campaign=Content&utm_rd=1800002484

I agree with you Mel. Last year PICEAN and I were off Scott Creek beach when a large shark surfaced, turned, and swam directly toward him. As soon as it got within 5 or 10 feet of him, it sharply banked and disappeared. Of coarse it cannot be proven, but were pretty confident the shark got a lil taste of the SS and didn't like it. We continued to fish for another couple hours and didnt see it again.

SS may not stop a polaris attack, but Ill bet it will prevent the followup attack; and the followup attack is when you will get hurt.  Im happy to have mine. Worth it.

The value of a SS is when the shark is it still determining if you are suitable prey and worth its time.  A taste of an electrical charge will make it leave you alone.