Surfer and shark assault survivor Bethany Hamilton has been slammed for selling a product that guarantees to discourage ocean predators – however critics say the gadget has little to no impact.
Hamilton, 34, who was attacked by a 14-foot shark whereas browsing in 2003 and had her left arm amputated, posted a video to her Instagram web page on Monday selling Sharkbanz – wearable units that declare to discourage sharks and different ocean predators utilizing an electromagnetic discipline.
‘Sharkbanz are designed that will help you overcome your concern of sharks and reduce the chance,’ the video mentioned, with a clip of her browsing. ‘I am cheering you on to beat and have enjoyable.’
However the mother-of-four shortly was inundated with backlash on the video, with streams of viewers taking problem with not solely the purported skills of the gadget, however her assist of it as a shark assault sufferer.
Surfer Bethany Hamilton, 34, has been slammed for selling Sharkbanz
One individual famous the current string of shark assaults in Florida and wrote it was ‘extremely insensitive making an attempt to capitalize on the concern’.
Others shared their beliefs stating it might not appropriately defend these within the water, with one individual claiming a Sharkbanz ‘probably has little to no impact.’
One other in contrast the merchandise to ‘these rip-off bracelets that supposedly give some good vibes in your life,’ whereas a fourth derided the units as ‘gimmicks’ like ‘shark repellants to even considering that sure colours appeal to sharks.’
‘The true backside line is… in case you are so afraid of sharks do not go within the water,’ he wrote.
Josh Schellenberg, an underwater photographer who typically takes close-up photos of sharks, additionally claimed Sharkbanz are ‘nice for a false sense of safety.’
The corporate says that its $128 units create highly effective electromagnetic fields that alerts a shark’s sensory organ ‘to remain away.’
Hamilton is now partnering with Sharkbanz on its first Signature Version line of its Sharkbanz 2 product and ‘to advertise mindfulness in all areas of our lives,’ based on the corporate’s web site.
Critics declare the wearable units have little to no impact in decreasing shark assaults
However Schellenberg famous that in 2016, a 16-year-old South Florida surfer Zack Davis was carrying one of many units when a black-tip shark attacked him and bit into his proper arm.
‘It was supposed to maintain sharks away, and the primary time I wore it I obtained bit,’ Davis informed CBS 12 of the gadget he obtained for Christmas.
He spent 24 hours within the hospital, and needed to obtain 44 stitches.
Schellenberg additionally claimed that one among his associates was testing out the merchandise and wound up ‘hand-feeding’ the sharks.
‘When it did not cease the sharks from approaching him, he fed one and gave one other one nostril rubs,’ Schellenberg wrote.
‘The sharks did not care he was carrying it!’
At that time, one other replied that he research pure and electro magnets, and reviewed some analysis on Sharkbanz.
‘Reasonable[ally], the shark must be smaller in dimension and actually up in opposition to it to really feel any type of sensation.’
One other Instagram person mentioned it was ‘extremely insensitive’ for Hamilton ‘to capitalize on the concern instilled’ from current shark assaults in Florida
Actually, a 2018 peer-reviewed examine decided that Sharkbanz ‘had restricted or no measurable impact on white shark habits.’
And Daryl McPhee, an affiliate professor at Bond College in Australia who acquired authorities funds to check unprovoked shark assaults informed Forbes that Sharkbanz and different related units have undergone ‘solely restricted impartial testing’ that exhibits ‘a really restricted deterrent impact’.
Sharkbanz executives, nonetheless, have defended their merchandise – with co-founder Nathan Garrison telling DailyMail.com that tons of of shoppers have had ‘unimaginable experiences’ and have mentioned the units ‘probably saved their lives.’
He famous that the corporate has already been round for 10 years, and mentioned scientists spent 20 years perfecting the know-how.
He mentioned the corporate has hours value of footage displaying its merchandise deterring sharks – together with a 10-foot lengthy hammerhead.
‘A number of people have referred to as to inform me the product probably saved their lives, expressing honest thanks,’ he informed Forbes.
‘Navy SEALs, Coast Guard rescue and overseas navy operations use Sharkbanz as a result of they’ve seen the results and loved the advantages.’
Sharkbanz claims its units produce highly effective electromagnetic fields that alerts a shark’s sensory organ ‘to remain away’
Garrison additionally claimed that Davis by accident landed close to the shark after he fell on a wave and provoked it when he was bit in 2016, and argued that the 2018 peer-reviewed examine was flawed.
He claimed it was funded by one among their rivals, which additionally helped design the experiments – which he mentioned didn’t apply the product accurately.
The bait the scientists had been utilizing was a tuna gill, which may be very engaging to a shark, and the gadget was positioned too distant from the bait to be efficient.
‘The intention is to not cease an incredible white from consuming a tuna head when it is proper in entrance of it,’ Garrison mentioned, arguing that the examine must be taken ‘with a grain of salt.’
Different, ‘in depth’ research, he mentioned, have confirmed the merchandise are profitable at deterring sharks.
‘It’s a indisputable fact past any cheap doubt that our merchandise (and powerful everlasting magnets) create avoidance habits in sharks,’ Garrison informed DailyMail.com. ‘That is indeniable.’
Nonetheless, he admitted that the units aren’t 100% efficient and ‘by no means can be.’
‘However I would a lot reasonably use one thing that is confirmed to cut back my possibilities than depend on luck alone,’ he mentioned.
DailyMail.com has approached Hamilton for remark.
