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Get Them Away From Me
Shark attractant for surfers
  (+6, -1)
(+6, -1) 		  [vote for,
against]


Since we don't seem to be having much luck creating an effective shark repellant maybe we should approach the problem from the opposite direction and create a shark attractant that would lure sharks away from swimmers and surfers just long enough for them to get out of the water. I'm thinking of something along the lines of a small inflatable stick figure that could be shot seawards. When it hit the water the figure would inflate and start wiggling in the water (thanks to a small battery it carried). A water soluble container would also release a concentrated oil that smells as much like blood as we can make it. If the scent is strong enough it might get the shark's attention long enough for swimmers to make it to shore. (If something like this is ever made the manufacturers will have to be protected against lawsuits stemming from any accidental release of the scent.)
longshot9999, Oct 20 2005

Remnants of my deleted Surfboard Strobelight idea http://www.surfing-..._sleepy_235029.html
Someone who seemed like they knew a bit about marine biology (2 fries?) said that this would attract sharks rather than repel them, so I deleted the idea. I kind of wish I didn't now. [Zimmy, Oct 20 2005]


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       Why bother making synthetic blood? Use animal blood or even that of blood donors. It'll sound horrible, but I would rather hear that my blood stopped someone getting eaten by a shark than it helped someone who was short a pint or two.
hidden truths, Oct 20 2005
   

       Or carry a bucket of chum, I guess.
DrCurry, Oct 20 2005
   

       hidden - I was thinking that synthetic blood wouldn't spoil as fast.   

       DrCurry - Carrying around a load of chum wouldn't cut it, fashion-wise. A miniature flare gun on the other hand could be designed with coolness in mind.
longshot9999, Oct 20 2005
   

       After watching a show (just a few min's ago), I ponder whether the urine & body oils of the sharks prefered prey might fair better as a distractant.   

       (Is it really common for surfers to urinate while surfing so as not to have to miss waves?)
Zimmy, Oct 22 2005
   

       How far would you have to shoot this "blood" object to attact the shark? I like it! +1
Wetlollypops, Oct 22 2005
   

       Would you really have time to do something like this if you had a shark munching on your leg? I'm speaking out of ignorance, I've never been attacked by a shark.
siwel, Oct 22 2005
   

       ... Bob .. Jesus Christ!! that wasn't shark repelent that you fired at that man over there, that was the new shark attractant!!! ...<music from Jaws> [+]
ixnaum, Oct 22 2005
   

       Not me [Zimmy].
About the only marine biology I know is that sharks don't run out of teeth. Feel free to re-post if it wasn't MFD'd.		   

       I deleted it myself (& couldn't find an old copy) as someone said that they hoped I didn't end up on the darwin awards for trying to implement this idea.
Zimmy, Oct 22 2005
   

       What you mean you don't carry a harpoon gun when you go surfing?
Cuit_au_Four, Oct 22 2005
   

       /Or carry a bucket of chum, I guess/ I fill my pockets before I leave the house.
bungston, Oct 22 2005
   

       I do both, but then again, I'm in the highest risk group for shark attack. Living in San Diego, it's not a big risk (looks behind self), resisting urge to link to shark attack in San Diego stats.
normzone, Oct 23 2005
   


 
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