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I am forwarding this from the divingaccidents yahoo group..... -----Original Message----- From: Richard Pyle [mailto:deepreef@bi*.or*] Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 10:19 PM To: divingaccidents@ya*.co* Subject: RE: [divingaccidents] Digest Number 65 >The EM field could be it, considering how sharks response to EM. >There is speculation in tech circles that sharks, particularly aggressive bulls >which are not exactly welcome in dives, have been attracted to scooters, >rebreathers, and with this report HID lights. On shutting off these >appliances, the sharks withdraw. I have been in the water with many different species of sharks (Galapagos, Greys, Tigers, Bulls, Silvertips, Blacktips (both species), Silkeys, Sandbars, Hammerheads, Whitetips, Lemmons, etc....) while using my rebreather (CL-MK5, 3 computers, active network, numerous cables -- plenty of EM signature as far as rebreather electronics go), and never once have I ever seen any indication that the rebreather electronics agitated or attracted the sharks in any way. On the other hand, I *have* seen very unambiguous indications that DPV's (scooters) *can* draw the attention of sharks (Tigers in my experience; and Whites in the experience of a number of other divers). I've been using an HID light for over a year now, and on many occassions in the company of sharks (including some VERY large Bulls, as well as a feeding frenzy of Greys, Silvertips, Blacktips & whitetips, along with a large passing Lemmon and Tiger), and I have not yet seen any indication about their possible attraction, one way or another. My experience on this front is not as robust as with the rebreather electronics, though, so I'm keeping an open mind. Despite my personal experience with sharks and rebreathers, however, I should note that the "inside story" (from the dive buddy, coroner, and shark expert involved with the case) about the diver who died off FL using the same rebreather model as I do, and whose body was found a few days later heavily mauled by shark bites -- is that the wounds were inflicted while the diver was still alive. This might suggest that the shark may have somehow been stimulated by the rebreather electronics. I'd be very interested to hear about first-hand accounts of divers with electronic rebreathers, who believe that sharks were drawn to the electronics in some way. Aloha, Rich Richard L. Pyle Ichthyology, Bishop Museum 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817 Ph: (808)848-4115, Fax: (808)847-8252 email: deepreef@bi*.or* http://www.bishopmuseum.org/bishop/HBS/pylerichard.html "The opinions expressed are those of the sender, and not necessarily those of Bishop Museum." Gene Avakyan --------------------------------------------- Direct examination of psychologically healthy people shows pretty clearly that they are positively attracted to the mysterious, to the unknown, to the puzzling and unexplained. This is noteworthy because it contrasts sharply with the psychologically sick person's tendency to be threatened by the unfamiliar, the ambiguous , the unknown. Maslow, "The need to know and the fear of knowing" General Journal of General Psychology. _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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