Sharkbanz: The Shark-Repelling Wristband
Keeping sharks at a distance may be as easy as accessorizing, thanks to an innovative father-son duo.
Sharkbanz are wearable shark-deflectors that swimmers and surfers alike can strap onto their wrists or ankles to keep sharks away without causing harm to the apex predators.
"Sharkbanz use no chemicals, batteries, or electricity to deter sharks, ensuring simplicity in use, storage, and durability. Just strap it on when you arrive at the beach, and let your fears fade away," according to the Sharkbanz website.
Founders Nathan and David Garrison are two ocean lovers who were tired of close calls and nerve-wracking situations with sharks, so they set out to make a safe way to repel the marine animals.
The Sharkbanz team enlisted the services of marine biologists Dr. Eric Stroud and Dr. Patrick Rice, both of whom are renowned shark experts. The two scientists founded Shark Defense almost 15 years ago, and are now the leading researchers in shark-repellent technology.
While there is not a 100-percent guarantee against an encounter, Rice says that by wearing Sharkbanz, the risk of attack is significantly reduced. Sharkbanz use special patented magnetic technology to deter sharks from attacking and investigating people.
The purpose of Sharkbanz is to deter the "hit and run" shark attacks, where a shark bites a person to figure out what he or she is. Most of the time, this happens in shallow waters off the coast where there are a high number of swimmers and sharks sharing the same space. In this environment, sharks rely heavily on their electro-receptors instead of their eyes to “see” what’s around them. Sharks have the most sensitive electro-magnetic sense of all known animals, and use it to judge distance, shape, and even the heart rate of other animals near them.
As the shark approaches a person wearing Sharkbanz, magnetic waves coming from the band disrupt the shark's electro-receptors and it quickly turns away. The experience for the shark is, “like a person suddenly shining a very bright light in your eyes in a dark room, and it's not pleasant," Stroud said in a release. Once a shark comes near the band, it frequently leaves the area and does not return.
Rice even says that the effect of Sharkbanz is amplified if many people in a group of swimmers or surfers are wearing them.
Sharkbanz is determined to protect more than just people with their invention. They are pledging to donate a percentage of their profits to different ocean conservation groups with, "targeted efforts to pass legislation and affect measurable, positive changes on our world's oceans."
"You can rest assured that with every Sharkbanz purchase, another sea turtle, dolphin or shark will be safe from harm. We like our toothy aquatic neighbors, but just prefer they keep their distance."
Sharkbanz three main conservatioin focuses:
- Eradicate the practice of shark finning.
- Protect and restore ocean habitats by designating marine sanctuaries.
- Pass legislation to prevent new offshore drilling.
Keeping sharks at a distance may be as easy as accessorizing, thanks to an innovative father-son duo.
Sharkbanz are wearable shark-deflectors that swimmers and surfers alike can strap onto their wrists or ankles to keep sharks away without causing harm to the apex predators.
"Sharkbanz use no chemicals, batteries, or electricity to deter sharks, ensuring simplicity in use, storage, and durability. Just strap it on when you arrive at the beach, and let your fears fade away," according to the Sharkbanz website.
Founders Nathan and David Garrison are two ocean lovers who were tired of close calls and nerve-wracking situations with sharks, so they set out to make a safe way to repel the marine animals.
The Sharkbanz team enlisted the services of marine biologists Dr. Eric Stroud and Dr. Patrick Rice, both of whom are renowned shark experts. The two scientists founded Shark Defense almost 15 years ago, and are now the leading researchers in shark-repellent technology.
While there is not a 100-percent guarantee against an encounter, Rice says that by wearing Sharkbanz, the risk of attack is significantly reduced. Sharkbanz use special patented magnetic technology to deter sharks from attacking and investigating people.
The purpose of Sharkbanz is to deter the "hit and run" shark attacks, where a shark bites a person to figure out what he or she is. Most of the time, this happens in shallow waters off the coast where there are a high number of swimmers and sharks sharing the same space. In this environment, sharks rely heavily on their electro-receptors instead of their eyes to “see” what’s around them. Sharks have the most sensitive electro-magnetic sense of all known animals, and use it to judge distance, shape, and even the heart rate of other animals near them.
As the shark approaches a person wearing Sharkbanz, magnetic waves coming from the band disrupt the shark's electro-receptors and it quickly turns away. The experience for the shark is, “like a person suddenly shining a very bright light in your eyes in a dark room, and it's not pleasant," Stroud said in a release. Once a shark comes near the band, it frequently leaves the area and does not return.
Rice even says that the effect of Sharkbanz is amplified if many people in a group of swimmers or surfers are wearing them.
Sharkbanz is determined to protect more than just people with their invention. They are pledging to donate a percentage of their profits to different ocean conservation groups with, "targeted efforts to pass legislation and affect measurable, positive changes on our world's oceans."
"You can rest assured that with every Sharkbanz purchase, another sea turtle, dolphin or shark will be safe from harm. We like our toothy aquatic neighbors, but just prefer they keep their distance."
Sharkbanz three main conservatioin focuses:
- Eradicate the practice of shark finning.
- Protect and restore ocean habitats by designating marine sanctuaries.
- Pass legislation to prevent new offshore drilling.
