Shark Attacks: Reducing Risks with New Wetsuit Tech

Shark attacks increased. Scientists tested bite-resistant wetsuits using chain mail, Kevlar, and polyethylene to reduce injuries. New tech aims to maximize protection and minimize functionality compromise.

Carly Kay is the Loss 2025 scientific research composing trainee at Scientific research Information. She holds a bachelor’s level in interaction from the College of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s level in science interaction from the College of The Golden State, Santa Cruz.

Understanding Shark Attack Trends

Sharks usually leave people alone. In 2024, there were 71 shark attacks globally, with just 7 casualties. While bite numbers have remained steady or decreased in some areas, the overall variety of shark attacks has enhanced over the last 4 years. “That causes a lot more problem from the general public about these shark bites and what could be done to lower the threats,” says Charlie Huveneers, a marine biologist at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.

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Testing Bite-Resistant Wetsuits

To test the designs, the scientists drew white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) to their watercraft utilizing bait spheres. These species are accountable for the majority of unprovoked attacks in Australia. As soon as the sharks revealed interest, the scientists replaced the bait with either traditional or bite-resistant wetsuit material attached to buoylike “attack packages.”

Huveneers keeps in mind that these products can not stop crushing injuries and are not a silver bullet. They must be included along with other shark reduction strategies, consisting of education and learning, innovation and beach safety and security techniques.

Existing modern technologies, such as gadgets that interfere with a shark’s capacity to sense their prey’s electrical areas, can help repel sharks. Conventional shark-resistant fit styles, such as full-body chain mail, are heavy and make swimming difficult. The upgraded wetsuit products aim to make the most of defense without endangering functionality.

Existing innovations, such as gadgets that interrupt a shark’s ability to sense their prey’s electrical areas, can assist ward off sharks. To examine the designs, the researchers enticed white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) to their watercraft making use of bait rounds.

New Wetsuit Materials and Designs

Huveneers and his coworkers evaluated four different bite-resistant materials to enhance standard neoprene versus the creatures’ powerful clasp. One design functions tiny areas of chain mail integrated into a conventional neoprene wetsuit with protective pads, covering vulnerable areas such as main arteries in the arm or legs. Various other styles integrate Kevlar, used in bulletproof vests, or polyethylene nanofibers, strong yet lightweight fibers typically made use of in sailboat ropes.

While bite numbers have actually stayed secure or decreased in some regions, the total number of shark attacks has raised over the last 4 years. “That leads to more concern from the general public regarding these shark bites and what might be done to decrease the dangers,” says Charlie Huveneers, an aquatic biologist at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.

Impact of Bite-Resistant Technology

All 4 products virtually removed serious damage– even after the sharks clamped down, dragged the bite or whipped plan undersea. The basic neoprene suits had deep slit marks. Yet the bite-resistant products were left with shallow imprints, even more like a home animals’ teeth imprints. The technology may avoid unwary ocean recreators from bleeding out, which is the major cause of fatality in the unusual occasion of a shark attack.