Worn on your wrist, ankle, or surf leash (POD) one Sharkbanz product will help reduce the risk of an unwanted shark encounter, as the deterrent field of a single Sharkbanz unit is approx. 1-2 meters (about 3-6 ft).

However, wearing two (2) Sharkbanz (one on your ankle; another on your opposite wrist) will increase the overall deterrent field size and thus provide greater coverage – similar to how other safety devices work. If only wearing one, we suggest wearing Sharkbanz on your ankle, as the majority of shark bites occur on the ankle and leg areas.

• Beach / Ocean Recreation
• Surfing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Foiling / E-Foiling, Paddle Boarding, Body Boarding
• Scuba Diving, Freediving, Snorkeling
• Open Water Swimming
• Spearfishing - Also use our Zeppelin
• Wade Fishing - Also use our Zeppelin
• Boating, Sailing, SUP, Kayak, Jet Ski - Also use our Zeppelin
• Marine Construction, Professional Underwater Operations
• Lifeguard, Military Operations, USCG
• Pets
• And more ...

Don't worry, your Sharkbanz is not "leaking" or defective. Quite the opposite. 

Sharkbanz' powerful magnetic technology will attract tiny ferritic (iron) particles commonly found in the ocean. You may observe these minute particles sticking to your Sharkbanz after an ocean swim (oftentimes appearing like a dark soft substance). Do not be concerned! Your Sharkbanz is not leaking, nor is its effectiveness reduced.

No. 

Sharkbanz emit a magnetic field that quickly drops off, so sharks cannot sense it from far away. Once sharks enter this magnetic field range, they can be deterred, as Sharkbanz has shown to over-stimulate their electroreception. As you note, based on the laws of magnetics, this magnetic field created by Sharkbanz drops off at the inverse cube of the distance from the source - this means at a distance of 10 feet and beyond the field is not detectable by even the most sensitive laboratory equipment. 

Sharks will not be attracted into the magnetic field.

The patented shark deterrent technology behind Sharkbanz
products has been extensively researched and tested on a wide variety of shark species, including juvenile Tiger Sharks (up to 9 ft). Positive deterrent results were exhibited by juvenile Tiger Sharks during testing. Adult Tiger Sharks simply were not present during these specific tests. Like other predatory shark species, Tiger Sharks rely on electroreception, and Sharkbanz products have been shown to create avoidance behavior in Tiger Sharks and help Sharkbanz users reduce the risk.

Since 2015, we have received several unsolicited testimonials from Sharkbanz customers who have deterred larger Tiger Sharks in Hawaii, Australia, and Florida. Several examples are noted below, and others like the encounter story from surfers Greg, Clyde and Joe (Oahu, HI) can be found on our Reviews page.

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Kiteboarder James C. wrote us on 10/02/2022: 

“I've had my Sharkbanz for 5 years and use it multiple times per week. I love it and think it already saved my legs and maybe my life once. I was kiting and was in the water when a Tiger Shark came at me, but then turned at the last moment and just hit me with its tail.”

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Surfer and shark attack survivor, Jabez Reitman of Ballina, Australia encountered a large Tiger Shark while wearing Sharkbanz in February, 2015. He is also featured in our Reviews section:

"After my attack, I did a lot of research into the different products on the market and found Sharkbanz to be the most trustworthy. It wasn't until I came into contact with another shark months later that I was able to test the product first-hand. Last week, I was surfing near Byron Bay when a [4m tiger] shark began circling me. It was incredible to see how fast the [tiger] shark swam away as soon as it came within the magnetic field. I was glad that the band worked but still pretty shaken up so I paddled in to shore."

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The following encounter story comes from Sue A. of Oahu (HI) and was received on 6/15/2020:

"A group of friends and myself were doing our usual water jogging in Kailua bay. I spotted what appeared to be a log in the water about 10 to 12 ft from us. As it got closer, I could see clearly that it was a Tiger Shark. The shark must have sensed the magnet, shuddered, and abruptly turned, and swam away from us. There were other sightings and bump encounters for a few weeks before our encounter. Happy to discover my Sharkbanz working! I am a believer!"

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Nicky C. from Florida shared her story with us via email on 6/21/2017, which is also featured on our Reviews page under the "Shark Encounter" section.

"Thank you, Sharkbanz! The Tiger Shark veered away, and I swam safely to shore! While swimming at Stuart Beach (FL), I was quite far out wearing my fins and enjoying body surfing waves off the sand bar. At first, I didn't hear the lifeguard's whistle to clear all the swimmers from the water. So when I did look to shore, the beach goers were lined up along the shoreline and the lifeguard was waving his hands to come in. I was the only one still in the ocean. The water was crystal clear that day, and they could all watch the Tiger Shark (4-5 feet long) swimming back and forth parallel to the shore, but closer in than I was. As I'm swimming to shore, the shark turns towards me and follows me, getting closer and closer. When he was within about 6 feet of me, the lifeguard noticed he veered away [which he later told me]. While the shark stayed in the beach area, it never came near me again. THE SHARKBANZ WORKED WELL!"

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Lastly, Sharkbanz customer Gary W. shared a story with us involving a Tiger shark in Kauai (HI) that bit his friend (who was not wearing Sharkbanz) while the two were surfing together - from 10/10/2017.

"Last night here on Kaua’i, I was involved in a shark attack incident. I was wearing a Sharkbanz and my friend wasn’t. He was attacked, but I wasn’t. There really isn’t any hard evidence that I was spared because of the magnet, but it’s an interesting and compelling point. 

We were surfing sunset time [at Davidson’s], and the water had already turned black so we couldn’t see anything underneath. We were about 40’ apart, and I heard a noise and looked over. Then I saw my friend’s board “tombstoning” in the shark’s mouth. Its pec fin, tail, and dorsal fin were breaking the water as it thrashed with the board. There was no provoking to my knowledge as we were just sitting there waiting for waves. 

My friend was frantically back-stroking and kicking the shark to get away. 

[With my Sharkbanz on], I paddled straight to him, and as I got there, the shark let go of the board. My friend pulled it back to him by the leash, turned, and was gone on a wave. I watched the shark erratically swim a few circles around me where the incident happened, and the next wave came I was out too … high tide, getting dark so unknown species, but estimate about 10’ Tiger based on the bite size and type."

Much like other safety devices, such as a bike lights, Sharkbanz reduce the risk - they do not eliminate the risk altogether. This principle applies to all common predatory sharks, Great Whites included. Customers in Australia, South Africa, California, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, and Oregon have used our products to deter investigative Great Whites. You can read these unsolicited accounts on our Reviews page. 

Great Whites rely heavily on their electroreception when swimming in open water, and Sharkbanz could effectively deter an investigating Great White. However, it's important to note that Great Whites are unique in that they are the only shark that acts as an ambush predator, attacking from a long distance at high speed. There is no effective way to prevent this type of ambush attack when it occurs.

From a testing standpoint, Sharkbanz are the result of over a decade’s worth of peer-reviewed scientific research on the use of magnetic technology as an active and effective shark deterrent. This compilation of research evidences that permanent magnets project detectable magnetic fields underwater that produce sufficient magnetic fields to elicit avoidance in a range of species including: White Sharks (C. Carcharias). 

Two of our Great White deterrent customer encounters include:

Michael Skogg, Seaside, OR:

"I had a Great White encounter while paddle surfing the cove [...]. After a cleanup set, I was swimming back to my board when a dorsal fin broke between my board and me. It was a big, dark fin and coming at me hard. It got within five or six feet and thrashed really hard - then suddenly the shark made a violent hard left and bolted out of the area. I wore a Sharkbanz on my right wrist and left ankle. Thank God."

Scott Fegette, Carpinteria, CA:

"I got my Sharkbanz 2-3 years ago when Great White sightings picked up off my local break near Santa Barbara. On July 4, I was swimming next to my SUP when a 8-10 ft White did a pass on the other side of my board. I was trying to get back on my board and out of the water when it circled back on my side. Just as I thought it was gonna either bump me off or take a chomp (maybe neither but I was pretty shook), I reflexively kicked out my foot with my Sharkbanz on, and the White did a quick 90 degree turn and swam away fast like in your videos! I was stoked as hell but got ashore fast. Needless to say, I always wear it now."

We stand behind the quality and workmanship of our products, which you'll experience as soon as you open and put on your 'Sharkbanz 2'. Nonetheless, the ocean is the world's most powerful environment and issues significant and frequent levels of pressure, tension, and saltwater forces. Therefore, we recommend you replace your 'Sharkbanz 2' product every four (4) years to ensure top-level quality, comfort, and performance.

The ‘Sharkbanz 2’ product is automatically protected from defects resulting from faulty workmanship or materials for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase.

Please note that Sharkbanz should not be exposed to heat over 150°F (70°C), nor at any point should the core chassis be physically damaged or altered. If this occurs, the deterrent technology's effectiveness could be reduced and/or negatively impacted.

If you ever encounter any potential issues or concerns about your Sharkbanz, you can always write us at support@sharkbanz.com and we will help.

Sharkbanz deterrent technology also has the ability to deter stingrays, which helps beachgoers, wade fishermen, surfers, and divers reduce the risk of a painful incident. That said, we still recommend the ‘stingray shuffle’ as it’s one of the most affective ways to alert rays of your presence before getting too close, even if wearing Sharkbanz.

Our technology only repels sharks and rays because they are uniquely able to detect the field produced by Sharkbanz using their electroreceptors. Other animals are not affected.

If you fish and use our Zeppelin product to protect your catch, this device will not deter any target fish species.