Rebreather attract sharks?

silent running · 28th November 2005, 18:28

Hello all, one of the reasons I bought my Prism was to have more shark interaction. It has worked out very well. I have seen many more sharks, bigger ones too, since making the switch from OC. I think that they are curious and will come over for a look when they sense something in the water that's not making bubbles. I's not just the racket OC bubbles make underwater, remember, almost nothing living in the sea makes bubbles. So you will always blend in better at least, and may inspire some curiosity in the sharks at best. I don't think Cocos is a good example as several types of sharks are present in huge numbers and are more likely to put up with OC divers than a solitary shark patrolling his home turf. Even so, most of the liveaboards in Cocos promote RBs as a way to get closer to the big animals.-Andy

aquaturis · 28th November 2005, 21:02

Rebreathers will not scare sharks away and the sharks will display their natural behavior. I have heard of a Lemon shark displaying territorial aggression and smacking into a yellow inspiration—nobody got hurt!

nl_carey · 28th November 2005, 22:18

Can somebody please just say that rebreathers scare away big bitey sharks? Or at least Aluminium bodied Sport KISS's do?
Please?
Pretty Please?

Otherwise I might need to buy one of Steve's rocks.

2stoned · 28th November 2005, 22:33

Send me a Euro C-note, a lock of your hair and a naked picture of your best looking female friend,
and I will wish the biting sharks away from you.
I will use my great powers of remote shark mind control and make the sharks treat you nice.
For an additional mere 500 Euro I may even through in a mermaid or two.
My full satisfaction guaranteed.

Karlos · 28th November 2005, 23:12

Quote:

...then maybe take a careful gentle bite to taste

the careful gentle bite worries me a bit...

I'm not sure sure how a Great White, Bull or Tiger bite gently....

abowie · 28th November 2005, 23:24

Hans Hass did a lot of O2 Rebreather based diving in the Red Sea either side of WW2.

He had frequent interactions with sharks and used to carry a spear with him to hit the sharks with if they got too close. He also used to shout at themto scare them off. The only bite he received was when he grabbed a little reef shark by the tail; it curled around on itself and bit his wrist.

I still have the copy of "Challenging the Deep" that I got for my 9th birthday. In a way it's largely responsible for you all having to put up with me here ;-)

Dave H · 29th November 2005, 00:16

This topic makes me want to reply so I guess it is time to join rebreather world...

Having worked on sharks for the past 8 years and having done numerous OC dives with them I can now say that I'm glad I'm diving on a CCR. The main shark I work on is the endangered grey nurse shark and previous experience on OC has found that I was able to get close to them but as soon as you exhaled in their face they would turn away. However on a CCR the grey nurse doesn't give a sh1t and they will come alot closer, swim over you, try to swim through and even flash their nice pointy teeth at you.

It's a much better experience and it also helps with photography.

I had similar experiences with grey reefies in the coral sea earlier this year and only 2 weeks ago 3 of us diving on CCR's out of Moreton Bay had a close encounter with grey reefies... after 5 mins of them circling us and checking us out they p1ssed off as soon as 2 bubblies descended down the wall. Sharks don't like bubbles!

So do rebreathers attract sharks... Hmmmm, probably not as the sharks are always there. Rebreathers just allow you get alot closer!

If you really want to attract sharks just go spearing on your rebreather.... that should do the job!

Bubble Boy · 29th November 2005, 00:28

I guess the simple answer is no RBs do not attract sharks.
It is in fact OC gear that repels sharks.

And Dave's point about the GNS is absolutely correct. I have had several interactions where big GNS have hung around within a metre of me totally unphased. In fact one instance I was 'elbowed' out of the way by a big female in the mouth of cave in NSW waters.

and Nathan, there's a bitey somewhere just for you......

saturation · 29th November 2005, 14:29

Thanks folks. A unanimous 'no' is a good reply.

28th November 2005, 18:28	#11 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,832	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Hello all, one of the reasons I bought my Prism was to have more shark interaction. It has worked out very well. I have seen many more sharks, bigger ones too, since making the switch from OC. I think that they are curious and will come over for a look when they sense something in the water that's not making bubbles. I's not just the racket OC bubbles make underwater, remember, almost nothing living in the sea makes bubbles. So you will always blend in better at least, and may inspire some curiosity in the sharks at best. I don't think Cocos is a good example as several types of sharks are present in huge numbers and are more likely to put up with OC divers than a solitary shark patrolling his home turf. Even so, most of the liveaboards in Cocos promote RBs as a way to get closer to the big animals.-Andy
(Offline)

28th November 2005, 21:02	#12 (permalink)
aquaturis Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 11	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Rebreathers will not scare sharks away and the sharks will display their natural behavior. I have heard of a Lemon shark displaying territorial aggression and smacking into a yellow inspiration—nobody got hurt! __________________ www.rapidiver.com Authorized ZEAGLE Dealer
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28th November 2005, 22:18	#13 (permalink)
nl_carey Sporty, Spritely KISSer Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 87	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Can somebody please just say that rebreathers scare away big bitey sharks? Or at least Aluminium bodied Sport KISS's do? Please? Pretty Please? Otherwise I might need to buy one of Steve's rocks.
(Offline)

28th November 2005, 22:33	#14 (permalink)
2stoned Such is my point of view Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 89	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Send me a Euro C-note, a lock of your hair and a naked picture of your best looking female friend, and I will wish the biting sharks away from you. I will use my great powers of remote shark mind control and make the sharks treat you nice. For an additional mere 500 Euro I may even through in a mermaid or two. My full satisfaction guaranteed. __________________ Sten. The only man that always had all his work done by Friday, was Robinson Crusoe! www.rebreatherworld.com - Is going down in silence - Staying longer in stealth and style - Diving first class, all the way!
(Online)

28th November 2005, 23:12	#15 (permalink)
Karlos New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 55	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Quote: ...then maybe take a careful gentle bite to taste the careful gentle bite worries me a bit... I'm not sure sure how a Great White, Bull or Tiger bite gently....
(Offline)

28th November 2005, 23:24	#16 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Hans Hass did a lot of O2 Rebreather based diving in the Red Sea either side of WW2. He had frequent interactions with sharks and used to carry a spear with him to hit the sharks with if they got too close. He also used to shout at themto scare them off. The only bite he received was when he grabbed a little reef shark by the tail; it curled around on itself and bit his wrist. I still have the copy of "Challenging the Deep" that I got for my 9th birthday. In a way it's largely responsible for you all having to put up with me here ;-) __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy
(Offline)

29th November 2005, 00:16	#17 (permalink)
Dave H New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nelson Bay - Oz Posts: 5	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? This topic makes me want to reply so I guess it is time to join rebreather world... Having worked on sharks for the past 8 years and having done numerous OC dives with them I can now say that I'm glad I'm diving on a CCR. The main shark I work on is the endangered grey nurse shark and previous experience on OC has found that I was able to get close to them but as soon as you exhaled in their face they would turn away. However on a CCR the grey nurse doesn't give a sh1t and they will come alot closer, swim over you, try to swim through and even flash their nice pointy teeth at you. It's a much better experience and it also helps with photography. I had similar experiences with grey reefies in the coral sea earlier this year and only 2 weeks ago 3 of us diving on CCR's out of Moreton Bay had a close encounter with grey reefies... after 5 mins of them circling us and checking us out they p1ssed off as soon as 2 bubblies descended down the wall. Sharks don't like bubbles! So do rebreathers attract sharks... Hmmmm, probably not as the sharks are always there. Rebreathers just allow you get alot closer! If you really want to attract sharks just go spearing on your rebreather.... that should do the job!
(Offline)

29th November 2005, 00:28	#18 (permalink)
Bubble Boy PRISMs are kewl Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Ray Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 132	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? I guess the simple answer is no RBs do not attract sharks. It is in fact OC gear that repels sharks. And Dave's point about the GNS is absolutely correct. I have had several interactions where big GNS have hung around within a metre of me totally unphased. In fact one instance I was 'elbowed' out of the way by a big female in the mouth of cave in NSW waters. and Nathan, there's a bitey somewhere just for you......
(Offline)

29th November 2005, 14:29	#19 (permalink)
saturation New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Posts: 53	Re: Rebreather attract sharks? Thanks folks. A unanimous 'no' is a good reply.
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