People can’t get enough of surfing and diving in the sea. However, natural predators such as sharks have always been a problem. Thankfully though, advances in technology have resulted in shark repellents becoming more prolific and more effective. Here are some key ways tech helps protect surfers’ and divers’ lives.
Drones
Drones are great for spotting sharks. A pilot flies the aerial vehicle above the sea, and the drone sends a live stream of the footage it records back to whatever device the pilot has. As the drone flies about, the pilot looks at the real-time recording of the sea and should be able to spot sharks in the area. This is very effective as surfers or divers might not spot a shark close by. Drone pilots are usually stationed on beaches or nearby, so they can quickly act if there’s a shark in the sea and it’s a potential threat.
Bands
Some people wear special bands to ward off sharks. The way these work is straightforward. You put the waterproof band around your wrist or ankle. Inside it are some powerful magnets. Sharks rely on electrical signals to find their way around and locate prey. The bands’ signals tell the shark that the wearer is to be avoided. Sharkbanz is the leading company that produces this type of product. Its Sharkbanz 2 band uses no electricity, batteries or chemicals and it deters stingrays as well as sharks. This band is always switched on, so it’ll always work for you.
Acoustics
Another way of deterring sharks is through the use of acoustics. There are certain sound frequencies that sharks don’t like and will try to avoid by swimming away. SharkStopper’s Personal Shark Repellent is an example of this type of device. It’s worn on a person’s leg, and while underwater, it emits sounds of such a high frequency that it repels sharks. Devices like these don’t harm sharks in any way; they simply encourage them to swim away. Sharks dislike certain sounds so much that they would even avoid a food source to get away from them.
Wetsuits/Surfboards
Both wetsuits and surfboards can be adjusted to be shark deterrents. An Australian company, Shark Mitigation Systems, designed a wetsuit with a striped, black-and-white design. The reasoning is that someone wearing this wouldn’t look like a typical meal to a shark. As for surfers, there’s a special device you can clip onto your surfboard. This then emits electrical signals that – similar to the bands – deter sharks from approaching you. Again, the signals don’t harm the sharks in any way. Surfboards can also be painted with a black-and-white striped design like the wetsuits we just mentioned.
Conclusion
Thanks to technological advances and ingenuity, the seas are constantly getting safe for humans. If you want to explore watery depths without getting wet, you can always try the Platincasino shark slot online instead. The mitigation of danger due to shark encounters will only continue to help the surfing community grow in the future and it will become an accessible sport even to those who are deterred by the idea of these predators.
Edward Langley is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developing stories. His work highlights issues, trends and events that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance and accessible journalism.