Shark Shield Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shark Shield?

How does the Shark Shield effectively deter sharks?
What types of sharks does Shark Shield deter?
Does the Shark Shield repel any other fish or sea mammals?
Does the Shark Shield harm sharks?
What sort of testing has been done on the Shark Shield?
Does the Shark Shield attract sharks?
What is the depth rating of the Shark Shield?
If I am wearing a unit, but my buddy/mate is not, are they more prone to attack?
Can we guarantee the Shark Shield works?
Has the Shark Shield been proven to be safe to humans?
When should I turn on the Shark Shield?
Do I have to leave the Shark Shield switched on all the time?
Can the unit be used by children?
On which part of the body is the Shark Shield worn?
Do the electrodes need to be immersed in the water for a protective field to be created?
Will I get an electric shock?
How long does the battery pack last?
How do I know when the battery pack is getting low?
Can I "top up" the battery pack when it still has some charge left in it, or does it need to be
fully drained?
How should I store the battery pack?
How can I test that the unit is working properly?
What is the warranty period for the Shark Shield unit?
Can I use the Shark Shield in estuarine environments?
Does the field of the Shark Shield interfere with a divers hoseless air integrated dive
computer?
Will the Shark Shield affect my compass bearings?
Have more questions? Please contact us at support@sharkshield.com.

What is Shark Shield?

Shark Shield is a unique electronic shark deterrent and was invented by the South African
Government over 20 years ago through the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, home to some of the
most shark infested waters in the world. It is the culmination of over $20 million invested in
research, testing and development. Shark Shield devices are in use by over 25,000 people and
are used by the Australian Elite Military, the South African Navy the US Navy & Coast Guard
and thousands of spearfishers, scuba divers & kayak fishermen around the world. It is also
approved by NATO.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 1 of 11

How does the Shark Shield effectively deter sharks?

All predatory sharks have highly sensitive electrical receptors called the Ampullae of
Lorenzini located in their snouts. These tiny gel filled sacs can only sense electrical current
from prey at very close distances, typically less than 0.5 meter. As sharks can only sense
electrical currents at very short distances and because electrical currents are dispersed
rapidly in water, the myth that sharks can sense electrical current at great distances is not
true; as a result electrical shark deterrents do not attract sharks
The powerful, but localised electrical field generated by Shark Shield devices cause the
sharks gel filled sacs to spasm and the shark to flee the immediate area. There are no known
long-term adverse effects to the shark and as a result Shark Shield devices support the
conservation of sharks by removing the need for culling or other lethal means of managing
human and shark interactions. Shark Shield devices do not affect other ocean creatures.

What types of sharks does Shark Shield deter?

All predatory shark species are repelled by Shark Shield. These include Great Whites, Tigers,
Zambezi (Bull), Mako, Oceanic, Grey Nurse & Hammerhead sharks.
Some sharks, in particular the bottom feeders, including Woobygong, Carpet and Port Jackson
sharks, have their Ampullae of Lorenzini located under their snouts and as such have a
diminished response to the Shark Shield waveform. A small number of sharks such as the
Seven Gill shark have a diminished Ampullae so are less affected. The sharks that fall into
these categories are in general, not considered dangerous to humans.

Does the Shark Shield repel any other fish or sea mammals?
No. One of the distinct advantages of this unique electronic wave-form is that it only repels
predatory sharks and members of the Elasmobranch family including Rays and Skates.
Elasmobranch animals all have Ampullae of Lorenzini.
The Shark Shield is not detectable by any other fish or mammals. Many commercial
spearfishermen use Shark Shield without affecting their catch.
www.sharkshield.com

Page 2 of 11

Does the Shark Shield harm sharks?

From the tests conducted to date, the Shark Shield does not harm the shark. The majority of
initial testing was carried out by a team of marine biologists at the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks
Board of South Africa.
Scientific tests, as well as observations, show the field emitted by the Shark Shield causes
discomfort to the shark, which can eventually lead to muscular spasms. However once the
shark leaves the area, there is no lasting detrimental effect to the shark.

What sort of testing has been done on the Shark Shield?

The electronic wave-form used in the Shark Shield has been on the market since 1995, in the
guise of the Shark POD, and has proven its effectiveness in the field time and time again.
Click here to view our customer testimonials as proof of how Shark Shield has saved lives.
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board testing program, was carried out by a group of scientists,
including physicists, marine biologists, electronic engineers and a large number of
professional divers.
The Shark Shield has been thoroughly tested in the laboratory, and on site with Great Whites,
both in Cape Town, South Africa and Neptune Island, South Australia. Field testing of the
Shark Shield on predator sharks involves attracting sharks using blood and offal. The unit is
turned on and placed into the water with fish bait attached to attract the shark. The shark''s
behaviour, as it investigates the food source, is then observed and recorded. The testing
conducted to date proves conclusively (100% of the time) that sharks detest the effect the
field has on them and will keep a safe distance away from the wearer.
Remember: This testing is conducted under the worst possible scenario. The shark is
stimulated, hungry and excited. This is a situation that any responsible person should avoid at
all costs.
Apart from Shark Shields own comprehensive testing, testing has also been conducted by
government organisations, independent scientists and marine biologists.
1) Estimating the Probability of a Shark Attack When Using an Electric Repellant; C F Smit,
Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa and V
Peddemors, Department of Zoology, University of Durban-Westville, Durban, 4000 South
Africa, 2003.

a.

Found that: The probability of an (Great White Shark) attack was reduced from
0.70 to about 0.08.

b.

Shark Shield prevented the sharks from feeding off the bait.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 3 of 11

For detailed information you can download and read C F Smit & Peddemors Electric Repellent
full research paper.
2) Effects of the Shark Shield Electric Deterrent on the Behaviour of White Sharks. C.
Huveneers, P.J. Rogers, J. Semmens, C. Beckmann, A.A. Kock, B. Page & S.D. Goldsworthy,
2012.
The Huveneers study tested Shark Shield as a deterrent against a shark attack, finding that:

a.
b.
c.

Shark Shield significantly increased the time it took the sharks to take the bait.
Shark Shield deterred sharks attacking a seal decoy.

Shark Shield does not attract sharks.

For detailed information you can download and read Effects of an Electric Field on White
Sharks full research paper.
In addition to the proof discussed above, Shark Shield has also gained credibility by being
issued with a NATO stock number. This involved a testing regime by the Australian military. It
is currently used by the Australian Elite Military, the Army, Navy, Police and Professional
Commercial Divers.

Does the Shark Shield attract sharks?

No. As sharks can only sense electrical currents at very short distances (<0.5m) and electrical
currents are dispersed rapidly in water, the myth that sharks can sense electrical current at
great distances is not true; as a result electrical shark deterrents do not attract sharks.
Sharks have an array of senses, and each one is used at different distances from their prey.
The senses used for electrical perception are only used at close range. It is far more likely
that a shark will use its other senses to find it prey over greater distances.

Sound - a long range sense (several kilometres) Low frequency vibrations travel hundreds of
meters through the water and are known to attract sharks. Typical sounds might be struggling
fish or humans swimming.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 4 of 11

Smell - a long range sense (several hundred metres) Sharks will follow a scent trail over
considerable distances. Blood, body fluids and secretions from shellfish may deposit a trail
several kilometers from the source.
Pressure - a medium range sense (less than 100 metres) The sharks lateral line and pit organ
allow them to sense changes in pressure.
Sight - a medium range sense (less than 100 metres) Most of the predatory sharks that pose a
threat to us have excellent eyesight and can readily track prey by sight, even in low light.
Electrical perception - a close range sense (less than 0.5 metre) A particularly unique sense
used by sharks at close quarters, consists of hundreds of tiny gel filled pores around the
snout. These are known as Ampullae of Lorenzini and are used to pick up the electrical signals
emitted by the nerve impulses from living creatures. When a shark closes in for an attack, a
protective membrane pulls back over its eyes rendering it temporarily blind. For the few
seconds this may take, the shark is able to track its prey by utilising its Ampullae of Lorenzini.

What is the depth rating of the Shark Shield?

The maximum depth of use is 50 meters (164 feet).

If I am wearing a unit, but my buddy/mate is not, are they more prone to attack?
Anyone not wearing a Shark Shield is at more risk of being attacked than somebody who is
wearing a unit.
However the fact that one person is wearing a unit does not mean that those around him/her
are placed at greater risk than if nobody in the group was wearing a unit.
THE UNIT DOES NOT ATTRACT SHARKS.

Can we guarantee the Shark Shield works?

Certainly it works.
Apart from the unsolicited testimonials from users, stating how their lives have been saved by
this technology, we have more than 20 years of conclusive scientific testing. It is important to
note that all our testing is conducted in extreme circumstances in a bloodied and baited
environment.
It must be remembered that all sharks are dangerous and unpredictable creatures, and
therefore a 100% guarantee cannot be given. It is impossible to guarantee that all sharks will
be deterred under all circumstances.
Since the inception of airbags in motor vehicles many lives have been saved by the invention,
but it cannot be claimed that airbags save lives 100% of the time. With or without the
www.sharkshield.com

Page 5 of 11

protection of a Shark Shield, all sharks should be treated with respect and caution. Water
sport participation in the presence of sharks is inherently dangerous. Any human activity in
the water near sharks must always be considered as possessing a considerable degree of risk.
Like any piece of electronic equipment, the Shark Shield will not work effectively if not used
in the correct manner, and if the units are not maintained correctly. The product instruction
booklet provided with the unit must be read thoroughly prior to using the Shark Shield.
In April 2003, following the inquest into the death of a commercial scallop diver in South
Australia, the State Coroner recommended that "...all divers diving in waters where

there is the risk of the presence of sharks should wear a shark repellent device such
as a Shark Shield..."
Has the Shark Shield been proven to be safe to humans?
The field generated by the Shark Shield, when used in accordance with the instructions
contained in the instruction booklet supplied with each unit, poses no danger to the user, to
sharks or to the environment. The field can be detected if the electrodes come into very
close contact with the skin.
Direct contact with, or very close proximity to the antenna, may cause twitching of the
surface muscles of the skin, in time with the slow pulsing of the signal. The conductive field
readily travels through seawater, it being a better conductor than the human body. Thus the
field tends to surround the body rather than penetrate it. Scientific tests show that the type
of signal generated by the Shark Shield is unable to pass through body tissues, unlike radio
waves or microwaves that readily penetrate the body, and therefore it poses no health
problems for users.
However, anyone with any health condition which could increase their sensitivity to the fields
created by the Shark Shield should not use the device. Such conditions include heart disease,
a history of heart attack, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, a history of fainting or epilepsy,
lung disease, or if the user is on any prescription drugs that are administered for these
conditions. People who have pacemakers or are pregnant must not use the Shark Shield and
should also avoid swimming near any other person using the Shark Shield.

When should I turn on the Shark Shield?

Do not turn the unit on until after you enter the water first. Turn the unit off before exiting
the water.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 6 of 11

Do I have to leave the Shark Shield switched on all the time?

Yes, when in the water.
According to the International Shark Attack File of the Ichthyology Department of the Florida
Museum of Natural History - see www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks - 52.3% of shark attack
victims did not see the shark prior to attack. Therefore do not wait to turn the unit on.
Ensure the unit is turned off when you are exiting the water.
However, the unit must be switched off when inside a shark cage or in any other confined
areas such as wrecks or caves. Also see "When should I turn on the Shark Shield."
Note: Elyse Frankcom was attacked by a great white shark while wearing her Shark Shield
TURNED OFF Immediately after turning on her Shark Shield the shark fled. She attributes the
Shark Shield saved her and the others in the tour group she was leading. See Shark Shield
testimonials.

Can the unit be used by children?

The Shark Shield must not be used by children under the age of twelve years. The Shark
Shield is a safety device, not a toy. It is deemed that children under the age of twelve, even
with adult supervision, do not have the necessary level of maturity required to use such an
electrical device, which, if not used correctly, will not give the level of protection to the user
that it is designed to do.
Children above the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult to ensure that the Shark Shield is
used correctly and in accordance with the instructions and warnings contained in the
instruction booklet supplied with each unit.

On which part of the body is the Shark Shield worn?

It depends on which unit you use.
FREEDOM7 - Is attached to the ankle via a neoprene casing. Both electrodes are encased in
the 2 meter antenna.
SCUBA7 - the main housing of the unit can be worn on the thigh (a strap is provided), in a BC
pocket, or attached to the front of the BC via a BC strap or D ring. The antenna electrode is
worn on the ankle, with the antenna protruding out the front, so that it rests on the fin. The
pad electrode is secured to the back of the scuba cylinder via the BC securing strap.
SURF7 The SURF7 is not attached to the body, it is mounted on the tail of the surfboard via
a mounting board, deck grip can then be stuck to the mounting board, the 2 meter antenna
that houses the electrodes then hangs out the back. The mounting board can be unscrewed so
that you can recharge the unit or mount it on another surf board.
www.sharkshield.com

Page 7 of 11

Do the electrodes need to be immersed in the water for a protective field to be

created?
Yes, most definitely!
Both electrodes need to be immersed in the water for a protective field to be created. In the
case of the Freedom and Mariner units, both electrodes are encased in the antenna.
In the SCUBA7 unit one electrode is encased in the antenna protruding from the ankle, whilst
the other electrode is worn on the scuba cylinder.

Will I get an electric shock?

The Shark Shield works by emitting an electrical signal between two visible stainless steel
electrode braids which are located at the top and bottom of the antenna.
To produce a protective electrical field of a significant size the electrical signal needs to be
high in power. When accidentally placing your hand near or on the antenna the high power
signal may cause stimulation of the surface muscles of the skin. This may differ for each
person.
The amount of stimulation is minimal if accidentally touching the antenna while it is fully
submerged. The reason for this is that the easiest current path for the electrical signal to
flow between the two electrodes is through the water rather than through the user.
A higher amount of stimulation may occur if the user accidentally lifts one of the electrodes
out of the water with their hand or other parts of their body. The reason for this is that the
user then becomes part of the current path between the two electrodes.
Recommendations to reduce electric shock
Only turn on the Shark Shield only after entering the water. Turn off the Shark Shield
immediately before exiting the water. Keep the antenna submerged at all times.
If using a SCUBA7 unit (for diving), then these must be worn with a wetsuit.
If using a FREEDOM7 for scuba diving or spearfishing, to reduce the risk of the antenna
accidentally touching your body then secure the initial length of antenna from the electronic
housing to your fin. The method of attachment should be with something similar to a plastic
cable tie fit loosely so the antenna can still travel freely. Do not use a metal fastening device
or a system that significantly covers the antenna electrode.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 8 of 11

Cable tie used to loosely fix antenna to your fin.

Anyone with a pacemaker, pregnant, or has a health condition that could be affected by the
electric field should not use the device. Such health conditions include heart disease, a
history of heart problems, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, a history of fainting or
epilepsy, or lung disease.

How long does the battery pack last?

The battery with the FREEDOM7, SCUBA7 and SURF7 will last up to 7 hours if fully charged
prior to use. The lithium battery is rechargeable.

How do I know when the battery pack is getting low?

A solid green LED shows when the unit is operating normally. If the battery is running low
alternate red and green flashing LEDs will be displayed, together with an audible alarm that
can be heard underwater.

Can I "top up" the battery pack when it still has some charge left in it, or does it
need to be fully drained?
Yes. Topping up the battery pack when partially charged will not damage the battery or lead
to memory effect problems. However, any rechargeable battery benefits from being totally
discharged every 6 months.

How should I store the battery pack?

Always rinse your Shark Shield in fresh water and allow drying prior to storage. To obtain
maximum life from the battery charge after each use and always store the unit charged.
www.sharkshield.com

Page 9 of 11

How can I test that the unit is working properly?

Holding either hand close to the antenna, i.e. less than 300mm (12 inches) away, whilst
immersed in water and while the unit is switched on, is a handy way of checking the field. If
the unit is functioning properly, the user should feel a distinct pulsing of the skin muscles of
the hand. For surfers, being on the surface of the water and often in bright sunlight, this is
the easiest way to check the units operation.

What is the warranty period for the Shark Shield unit?

The Shark Shield has a 12 month manufacturers warranty, provided the unit is maintained as
per the instructions set out in the Product Information Booklet supplied with the product. The
battery pack supplied with the product, or sold as an accessory, comes with a 6 month
warranty from the date of purchase.
As outlined in the Product Information Booklet, the warranty is only valid if the Manufacturers
Warranty Certificate has been completed and returned. It is also a requirement that proof of
purchase be supplied when making a warranty claim.
An 3 year extended warranty is also available if purchased within the first year of purchase.

Can I use the Shark Shield in estuarine environments?

Shark Shield is designed for use in seawater only.
The Shark Shield cannot be used in fresh or estuarine waters, as it will not establish a
protective field in freshwater due to the water's reduced ability to conduct electrical energy.

Does the field of the Shark Shield interfere with a divers hoseless air integrated
dive computer?
From the tests conducted to date, no interference has occurred on the Uwatec range of
computers. However, if wearing the SCUBA7, the Shark Shield field has on some occasions
(but not usually) interfered with the Suunto Vytec. This effect has not been observed when
wearing the FREEDOM7.

Will the Shark Shield affect my compass bearings?

Although the currents produced by the Shark Shield could in principle cause a strong magnetic
field, the pulses of the Shark Shield are of too short a duration to have any influence on a
magnetic compass, which has inherent inertia and damping by design to minimise fluctuations
of the compass reading. Furthermore, the polarity of the pulses on the Shark Shield are
alternating, hence no cumulative deflection of the compass due to repeated pulses of the
Shark Shield is likely to occur. Thus we can with confidence state that the presence of an
operating Shark Shield is not likely to affect compasses underwater in terms of navigational
accuracy.
www.sharkshield.com

Page 10 of 11

Have more questions we could add to our FAQ? Please contact us at

support@sharkshield.com.

www.sharkshield.com

Page 11 of 11