Shark attacks may not be common, but new gadgets can make them even less likely.
A look inside the new technology that aims to prevent shark attacks
In a recent study, researchers found that a surfboard-mounted shark repellent reduced the chance of a bite by 66 percent. The Rpela V2 produces an electric field around the surfer that overwhelms the shark’s electro-receptors, which they use to navigate and assess their surroundings. It’s part of the growing field of anti-shark technology.
“There are many things being developed to help limit shark interactions by detecting sharks in an area where people may be swimming, such as drones, SMART drum lines, acoustic monitoring systems, and helicopters,” shark expert James Sulikowski told Lifewire in an email interview.
Scientists say surfers can hang loose using the Rpela V2 anti-shark device. The rechargeable gadget costs $500 and attaches to the bottom of a surfboard.
