australian scientists decided to test whether new wetsuits could reduce the risk of fatal injuries. shark bites are the main cause of shark-related deaths, and the researchers seem to have found a solution.
experts tested four new materials: aqua armor, shark stop, action tx-s, and brewster. for this test, the researchers visited the nauru islands, a habitat for great white sharks, and norfolk island, a habitat for tiger sharks, in south australia.
the researchers used fish to attract sharks and gave them a "bite pack". this pack consisted of a wooden board filled with foam rubber simulating human flesh, which was covered with either regular neoprene or the new materials. in the case of great white sharks, there were 152 recorded bites over a period of 19 days, and in the case of tiger sharks, there were 152 recorded bites over a period of 5 days.
the new materials did not cause serious injuries to tiger sharks, but the injuries caused by great white sharks were significantly reduced compared to those caused by conventional neoprene materials. it is hoped that this technology will reduce blood loss and severe tissue damage.
