The following organisations use Shark Shield products:

Go to testimonies:
Ian "Shark" Gordon
Commercial Fishing
Commercial Diving
Abalone Diving
Spear fishing
Dive shops and dive instruction businesses
Diving
Snorkling
Kayaking
Surfing
Club Marine Article (PDF Download)

 Rod Hartley

Director, Shark Shield

Ian "Shark Gordon" Gordon
Biological Field Researcher
Shark Conservationist
Presenter Discovery Channel Series
 

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.

1st of December, 2003
Peter Loveday
Prawn fisherman
Bundaberg QLD, Australia
All of my working life I have had to endure the endless problems that sharks have caused to my occupation. Loss of catch through torn nets and down time for repairs caused a dent in my bottom line profits, but I considered this an occupational hazard, which had to be expected and accepted.

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.
Back to Top

Tim Miles
Dive Course Co-ordinator, Dive Instructor
Adelaide, South Australia
When I was first introduced to Shark Shield I was a little hesitant to prominently display the product. It was just so revolutionary that I needed some time to ask questions to existing clients and new students and to make sure I was not highlighting what I believe to be the single biggest factor that prevents people taking up diving.

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.
Back to Top

Peter Clarkson
Professional Diver
Western Australia
For the last six years, when diving I have worn a Shark POD attached to my bail-out bottle, upgrading earlier this year to the new and more powerful unit, the Shark Shield. In early August, I was hookah-diving in 50m water off Kalbarri, Western Australia, researching a group of cowry shells which are the subject of a book I am co-authoring. After completing a bottom time which had incurred for me a reasonable decompression penalty, I was making a slow ascent when I realized that I was no longer alone. Ten metres away, swimming vertically at the same rate as myself, was a Great White Shark. It was a scenario I had rehearsed in my mind a thousand times during the 27 years I have been diving, but this was the first shark of this species that I had encountered underwater.

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.
Back to Top

Rene Spruyt
Abalone Diver
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
“In August 99 I was trying to erode the remaining 2 tons of my yearly abalone quota, I decided to work Weirs Cove at the western end of Kangaroo Island, which normally is a difficult area with large swells, but with the right weather, a days catch there is worth 2 or 3 elsewhere.

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.”
Back to Top

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.”
Back to Top

Jeff Grocke
Abalone diver
Elliston, South Australia
“I have from a young boy had an affinity with the sea, and acquired a love for diving that still continues today. I have been professionally abalone diving for some 20 years. The majority of those years I have free dived without the protection of a cage unit. It wasn''t until 2 years ago after 3 White Pointer sightings over the years, and continued pressure from my family, I decided that perhaps I was “pushing my luck” and purchased a 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.”
Back to Top

5th of September, 2003
David Buckland
Professional Abalone Diver
Port Lincoln, South Australia
I have had two encounters with sharks in the past two years. One was a Great White of approximately 4m, diving in clear water at 20m. She came in slowly, totally aware of my presence. The first thing I wanted to do is get the hell out of there, but sensibility prevailed; a quick check to see if my electronic shark repellent was on and functioning - and it was. I just kept still, looking at the shark, wondering if this is what it was like for some of my mates that that had been taken by Great Whites. It came closer - suddenly, as if hitting some invisible barrier, at about 8 metres it turned suddenly, shook and disappeared.

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.
Back to Top


Steve Robinson
Scuba commercial and wholesale
Adelaide South Australia 

“This industry has never had an answer to the biggest single factor that prevents students from learning to dive other than the denial that a problem exists and chances of shark attack are extremely minimal.   What our industry fails to realize is that whether justified or not, shark phobia exists in the majority of people and their perception is a reality that cannot simply be explained away.

The bulk of our market is orientated to the existing trained diver. Following some recent shark incidents in our area, our sales of Shark Shield surpassed 150 units last year and I am convinced that many of our customers would have terminated their sport or their loved ones intervened to prohibit their participation if it were not for the “peace of mind “ that Shark Shield delivers. Following the recent shark attack, the only product we could sell was Shark Shield.

The shop owners that believe this product will accentuate a negative issue are not catering for the customers needs. Unfortunately for me those shops that held this historical attitude have now realized that their customers have been spending a good dollar in my shop so now marketing Shark Shield.

I remember when buoyancy vests were shunned by dive shops as was the Automatic Deployment Device for parachutes. Shark Shield is going through the acceptance stage and I can see the future when all divers will consider this piece of equipment as an integral part of their gear. I know when I sell a Shark Shield that the customer will stay diving forever."
Back to Top

Tory Goodall   
Coatal Water Dive 
Bunbury, Western Australia

“Most of my customers would never admit to having shark phobia, until I admitted that I do!

One of our biggest markets here is spearfishing which puts them in the higher risk category because of the nature of attracting sharks. These guys tend to have a “macho” personality and the purchasing of a Shark Shield tends to attack their masculinity. We very successfully overcame this issue by promoting it to “save their catch”, this justified their purchase and kept their testosterone level high,- everbody suffers from shark phobia, even these guys.

I believe I was one of the first shops that could see the potential of Shark Shield and got behind it. We rely on exhibitions and marine shows to promote awareness to our somewhat isolated regional location. The first time we promoted Shark Shield at such an event we sold over 50 units which paid for staff and outgoings from this single product. We learnt that the general public want this technology.

I constantly hear remarks such as ‘that will make me feel a whole lot better,’ and ‘now with one of those I will learn to dive.’

This year we anticipate selling 300 plus snorkel and dive units and the potential surfing market is approx. 4 times larger.

The bottom line profit from Shark Shield last year paid wages for 2 full time staff members – not bad for a one off product.

I have now justifiably devoted a whole section of my shop to promoting Shark Shield and even have a sandwich board on the pavement –THE NEW REVOLUTIONARY SHARK SHIELD AVAILABLE HERE.

A great percentage of my sales are to parents, grandparents and family wanting to protect their offspring. I am convinced that many people using Shark Shield today would not have continued in their activity if it were not for Shark Shield.
You guys are on a winner, thank you for what you have done for my business!
Back to Top


Glenelg Marine 
Adelaide South Australia  
(Voted Best Dive Shop and Dive Training Institution in Australia)

We were concerned initially that the promotion of Shark Shield may have a negative affect on our customers and we had a lot to lose considering we are the largest training facility in Southern Australia. Following two well publicised shark incidents (aren’t they all) last year which resulted in a dramatic business downturn, we were forced for the survival of our business to reassess the whole shark phobia problem.

We instituted a promotion on radio, TV, and the press stating, “although sharks aren’t a real problem, for your peace of mind we use the latest technology –Shark Shield on all of your training dives, there is no reason now not to learn.”

For a three month period post shark attack, the only thing that saved our but was Shark Shield. We now know that promoting Shark Shield will have no negative affect on customer retention, in fact the opposite is the case. Customers in general will not raise the shark issue however our store now visibly displays the product which provides the opportunity for discussion and I find it amazing how many customers have been hiding their fear.

Finally we have an answer to what I believe the single biggest factor that greatly reduces entry level participation. Shark Shield certainly does:
·        Increase participation.
·        Ensures participation continues.
·        Increases bottom line profits.
 Back to Top

4th of December, 2003
Gary Doubleday
Diver
Adelaide, South Australia
My name is Gary Doubleday and I have one of the Shark Shield DIVE01 units and I am very pleased with it. I have read articles from professional divers about the Shark Shield and how they praise it - I must say, I do too, even though I have not had any encounters with sharks.

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.
Back to Top

23rd of May, 2002
John Walker
Diver
Adelaide, South Australia
Like hundreds of fellow South Aussies, curiosity to see sharks feasting on a whale carcass in Backstair''s Passage was too great to be ignored. Being a recreational diver I decided to use the opportunity to put my Shark POD to the test in real conditions.

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.
Back to Top

17th of November, 2005
Lieutenant Robert C Pigman
Deputy SWAT Team Commander, Orlando Police Department
City of Orlando, USA
I bought the Freedom 4 system and used it for the first time this past Sunday. I found that the peace of mind alone was well worth the cost.

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.
Back to Top

7th of August, 2005
Jon Schwartz
Kayaker
Carsbad, California, USA
My name is Jon Schwartz. I was out in Honokohau Harbor in Kona kayak fishing with my wife today. While tying on a bait, I heard a splash, and we paddled toward it. Then a 12 foot tiger shark came up to check us out, it took a look at us and then started steaming for us.

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!
Back to Top

6th of February, 2006
Gary Maclachlan
Kayaker
Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia
I have been using the Freedom 4 Shark Shield successfully for the last 3 months. I fish for pelagic game fish off the NSW coast, very often on my own. The Freedom 4 has granted me peace of mind when far out at sea on a solo fishing trip. I mount the device through the draining holes that are in the middle of the ski. The wetsuit part goes under straps on the base of the ski and the cable hangs down through the holes. This results in the device offering protection directly below where you sit on the ski. I have witnessed the device deterring large hammerhead and tiger sharks. What happens is whilst fighting a fish like a king fish they generally circle a bit under the ski, this is when I normally loose the fish to sharks. However I have witnessed the sharks trying to get near to the fish but being deflected by the device as they get to close to it.
Back to Top

7th of January, 2008

David Incher

Kayaker

The unit is well designed. Installing the pad on the board, charging and fixing the Sharkshield to the pad was relatively simple. The big advantage of the Sharkshield unit is the peace of mind it gives. Having used the unit about a dozen times, i have found that i am much more comfortable going surfing by myself or in 'sharky' locations/times of the day. If i am unsure which board to ride i go for the board with the sharkshield attached (I am buying new pads for my other boards).

I had previously heard the argument that, as Sharkshield repels sharks, it may also repel other more desirable marine creatures such as dolphins. Nothing could be further from the truth as i had an amazing ride with a dolphin only inches from my board, mirroring my every turn and cutback for about 50 meters! 

Back to Top

13th June 2008

Adam "Trout" Traubman

Kayak Fisherman 

Hawaii

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.
Back to Top

Spearfishing
Bob Hurwitz
Marina Del Rey, California
We were on our way to Wakaya in Fiji, where there are countless sharks, including a resident hammerhead that everyone claims is 18 feet by direct measurement, tigers, bronze whalers, and reef sharks that were among the largest I have ever seen.

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.
Back to Top

29th of October, 2004
Chris Shellabear

Spearfishing
Nedlands, Western Australia
Thanks for your product. I was asked to dive with a long standing dive partner of mine who was taking his boat around Australia. I spent nearly a week diving at the Muiron Islands north of Exmouth. On the one day I had 2 encounters, one whilst holding a fish speared for dinner that my friend was keen to photograph. We were in about 5M of water and there was a gully behind me. As I faced the camera and the shot was taken, my friend lurched back for some reason - he later told me when we surfaced that I had been charged by a Bull Shark that broke its attack 2-3 metres behind me. My initial thoughts were that I was lucky, till I remembered I was wearing the Shark Shield.

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.
Back to Top

12th of August, 2004
Pat Johnson
Spearfisherman
Springfield, Virginia, USA
On 9th August 04 I was freediving a wreck off the coast of Hatteras, NC and I had speared a wahoo. After the fish''s second run I began to pull my line in and noticed the fish was being eaten by a large barracuda. I was disappointed needless to say, but what happened next was amazing. Two of my dive buddies were nearby and we saw a large bull shark coming straight up off the bottom at top speed toward the speared remains of the wahoo.

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.
Back to Top

26th of September, 2003
Tim Thomas
Spearfisherman
Brisbane, Queensland
Having just come off a boat, after 2 weeks spearfishing in the Coral Sea, I can say that the Shark Shield served me well. Many times I had half a dozen white tips after my fish and they couldn''t get close. One time I turned my shark shield off, burlied up, put my fish on a Bombie and then let the sharks come in numbers to get a smell. I then turned my shield on and as much as they were very determined, it was like they were getting punched in the head by a invisible fist. Felt good to have something like that on my leg. For me the shark shield worked even before I was in the water. Originally I was stuck between my love of the ocean and the fear of sharks. The Shark Shield gave me the Confidence to get water and I see for myself that this beautiful environment doesn''t warrant fear, only respect.

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?"
Back to Top

16th of August, 2004
Tony Grogan
Technical Diver
USA
In the midst of a cloud of fish and blood I put the second grouper on the stringer. I am determined not to let these bulls have their way as they rush in trying to get to the fish during my slow ascent from 130 feet all the way up to the surface. As they charge in, I am glad that I have my Shark Shield turned on. This wonderful invention puts a protective electrical field around me that shocks the sensory receptors called Ampullae of Lorenzini in the shark''s snout. I love wearing the Shark Shield while spearfishing because it helps turn sharks away and causes them to think twice before accidentally or intentionally biting me.

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.
Back to Top

21st August 2008
Peter Jones

Surfer, South Africa

By June 2008 there had been a number of shark sightings at our local `extremely remote` surf spot deep in the Transkei home land on the East Coast of South Africa. On a number of week ends prior to this, the guys had been `chased` out of the water by some very large `men in grey suites`. On this particular week end the waves were exceptionally good.During my second surf, while surfing with Andre Malherbe one of our top surfers in the country - ( just the two of us out ). I had my well used trusty 7 hr Surf Unit attached to my board. As usual for this spot. Andre does not wear a unit. I tuned to paddle for a wave, Andre was slightly further out and thus had a better view of any movement in the water. I was focused on taking off on the steepest part of the wave, when I heard Andre`s panicked scream "shark,shark". He didn't` want to duck dive as he may actually have hit the shark. I let the wave go by and totally `un panicked` asked him what the problem was. He replied "Fxxxk didn't` you see the shark", as he hastily paddled towards me.  "NO ", I replied, "What happened? ". He replied that the shark was moving in the wave, a few meters from him but heading towards me at a mean speed, as it got extremely close to me  it just, cart wheeled backwards. I would like to think that this was when it was in `the shark shield` zone. I asked Andre what he wanted me to do. His response was "fxxxk, just come and sit here next to me and to allow me to take the next wave", which he scurried into and went in over the rocks. I on the other hand was still feeling pretty stoked about the waves and started paddling out when about 4 different groups of people on the bank started screaming "shark". Well, reluctantly I got out of the water. To surf another day. For more information re sales etc. please contact me on -peterj@abe.co.za    Regards Peter Jones 083 452 7309

About 2 years ago now, I sold a Unit to Darryl Staples a surfer from the well known St Francis area ( of Bruces Beauties Fame ). Darryl was on a trip to Mozambique with his two sons. One of his first questions to me was, "do I think it would be ok if just one guy in the water had a unit on. My response was, "well you could debate that one at length as the guy on the inside might get bitten, while the guy with the shark shield is way on the outside, so in my opinion it would be better to have one rather than not have one". I sold him an F2 and off he went. Two months later at a contest in P.A. I bumped into Darryl and asked him about his trip. this is what he had to say. "We had had a few waves further South, and then moved up to the Pemba area. One day while out with my two boys this big Zambi popped up and made for one of my sons luckily I was close enough and managed to get there first. The Zambi disappeared and we never saw the shark again. Darryl was wearing the Freedom 2 at the time. For more information re sales etc. please contact me on  -  peterj@abe.co.za  Regards Peter Jones 083 452 7309

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.
Back to Top

10th of June, 2003
John Hastings
Surfer
Having used the Shark Shield whilst surfing for some time now, my opinion on the unit is as follows.

• 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.
Back to Top

8th November 2007

Attila Izdebski

Surfer

As a dedicated surfer of 37 years I never really gave sharks a lot of thought, sure I am as tuned in to local conditions as possible.

I spent many hours in the water at Cactus in the 1970's to 1990's experiencing no major shark issues, perhaps my Karma contributed to my good fortune?

At 55 years of age I now tend to think about sharks more, perhaps this is normal as we get older & closer to our expiry dates?

I just like to thank Sea Change Technology for the Shark Shield "Surf product",  as it gives peace of mind surfing the Mid Coast & West Coast of South Australia.

On those days of long lulls between sets & wave conditions being fairly random, I now feel less exposed wearing my Shark Shield.

I have several boards that are all fitted for the Shark Shield Surf unit.

Embracing change seems difficult for older crew, surfers especially seem slow to adopt something that potentially will save their lives & enhance their enjoyment in the water.

I must admit it took a few sessions to get used to the Shark Shield, although the perceived encumbrance of the antennae did not occur.

I now  would not surf without one & thoroughly recommend all surfers to embrace the technology, if not for themselves but their wife's/girlfriends & families.

Back to Top

 Ray Klefstad

Irvine , CA

I was wearing a Shark Shield while diving off Florida in the gulf. We were about 20 miles off-shore diving some wrecks.My friend had caught a small black fin tuna which we cleaned off the stern of the boat. We later jumped in and the area was swarming with brownish sharks ( I'm guessing Lemon Sharks). There were also many large jewfish and barracuda hanging around the wreck.

We continued to free dive around the area, but there were sharks everwhere. At one point, I heard my buddy scream from the surface.

I looked over and one of these sharks was charging right at him from the depths. I quickly turned on my shark shield and swam closer towards him. We both approached my buddy and the shark clearly reacted to the shock from the shark shield and bolted away.

We got out of the water and decided not to clean any more fish over the side of the boat in an area we were diving.

Temptation Sailing

7th April 2008

To whom it may concern,

My name is Stephen Waites and I have been operating daily Dolphin swim tours out from Glenelg, South Australia, now for 7 years (started January 2001). I started using the Shark Shield devices after there were a couple of Shark fatalities in the area in which we operate from.

We started by using one Mariner Shark Shield, but have now upgraded to three. This is so we are able to offer our swimming customers full coverage of protection.

Temptation trails two mermaid lines from the Stern of the vessel, five metres apart in which the swimmers hold onto.  In the centre of these lines we run the three Shark Shields at two metre intervals.

We would never operate a Dolphin swim without these devices.

Kind Regards,

Stephen Waites

Director

Temptation Sailing

www.dolphinboat.com.au

May 27th 2008

Joey Rago

Surfer

I used my Shark Shield for th first time this weekend and loved it! I rode my 6'10 quad fish surfboard and didn't even notice it was on the board. The media should be ashamed of themselves for spreading false propaganda about this device. I looked back as i was paddling as fast as i could and the electrode antenna was completely submerged at all times. The surfing conditions would have to be really terrible for it to be skipping around on the surface of the water. I really relaxed in the line-up this weekend thanks to Shark Shield.