The researchers emphasize that the suits are not “shark-proof”, but they exponentially increase the safety of surfers. “It will reduce the extent of the injury and, in the case of a serious shark bite, it will also reduce blood loss,” says Charlie Huveneers.
There are wetsuits that can resist a great white shark bite. The secret is in the equipment’s material, which reduces damage caused and increases the chance of survival.
“I was a little skeptical that any type of material could resist the bite of a large predatory shark. But I was genuinely surprised when we compared the new material to standard neoprene and realized how the new material was eliminating all extensive, severe or critical damage,” says Charlie Huveneers, principal investigator for , in an interview with the agency .
They are not “shark proof”
The researchers point out that the suits are not “shark-proof”, but security increases exponentially.
“There will still be small holes and small wounds from a shark bite, but for example, instead of 200 stitches, you might only have 10 or 20 stitches. So it will reduce the extent of the injury and, in the case of a serious shark bite, it will also reduce blood loss, which will give emergency services more time to arrive,” says Charlie Huveneers.
“Revolutionary change”
Previously, the alternative was to use iron mesh wetsuits. But the material was inflexible and heavy for surfers. The new facts may therefore be more appropriate.
“I think it’s part of a revolutionary change, it’s one of many tools in the growing toolbox of shark bite mitigation measures”, says the researcher from the Southern Shark Ecology Group.
