Scientists Put Shark-Proof Wetsuits to the Test (Video)

The crew tested a number of materials, placing them around a test-dummy rectangular mass, then tossing them into shark-infested waters. And what did they find?

“While there were small differences between the four tested materials, they all reduced the amount of substantial and critical damage, which would typically be associated with severe hemorrhaging and tissue or limb loss,” Dr. Tom Clarke, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University, said.

The major issue when it comes to fatal shark attacks, according to the researchers, is the loss of blood that occurs. And these materials – “e.g. Kevlar, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,” the study reports – can reduce the puncture wounds caused by a shark bite.

Dr. Clarke added: “Our study showed that bite-resistant materials incorporated into wetsuits can reduce damage from large white and tiger sharks (up to 3 meters) compared to standard neoprene wetsuit, even from moderate and severe bites.”

The question does remain, however, how flexible or maneuverable one might be while wearing a suit made of materials such as Kevlar. Surfers, as is well-known, need to be spry and nimble -rather than rigid, like a knight in clunky armor.

Perhaps, though, that’s a small setback in reducing the shark attack risk.

“While these suits don’t eliminate all the risk (e.g. internal injuries may still occur), our results indicate that they can reduce blood loss and trauma from major lacerations and punctures, potentially saving lives,” said Professor Charlie Huveneers of the Southern Shark Ecology Group.