Ocean Guardian Shark Repellent
The Freedom7 shark repellent is lightweight and designed to be worn on your ankle. Ocean Guardian have developed their shark repellents using their government-approved patented Shark Shield technology.
These are powerful shark repellents and proven to deter sting rays and most sharks, including Great Whites.
In this review, we look at the how this technology works to protect users from sharks, while keeping other sea creatures (and you) safe.
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Freedom 7 Features - At A Glance
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How do electrical Shark Repellents work?
Sharks find their food by using highly sensitive electrical receptors located in their snouts. These receptors sense tiny electrical currents from prey at less than a meter away. Over greater distances, sharks will rely on their sense of smell, sight, and hearing to locate their prey.
In 1995, it was discovered that sharks have a heightened sensitivity to low frequency electrical fields at close range. There has since been intensive research done to develop products that use this discovery to deter sharks from divers, spear fisherman and other ocean users.
Manufacturers are using the shark's sensitivity to electrical fields to our advantage. Electrical shark repellents emit a pulse that set off spasms in the shark's receptors when it's within around 3 feet (or 1 meter) of the device. This will instantly turn a shark away from the source of the electrical pulse.
Ocean Guardian's Shark Shield Technology
Ocean Guardian products are used by American, Australian and European military divers. This technology is patented and back by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, who are considered to be one of the world's leading authorities on sharks.
This is environmentally friendly, non-evasive shark deterrent technology.
When submerged, the Freedom 7 has two electrodes which emit electrical pulses and create a powerful three-dimensional electrical field around the wearer. As sharks come within a few meters of Shark Shield, the electrical pulses cause the shark great discomfort in its sensitive electrical receptors. This doesn't harm the shark, but it's strong enough to force it to turn away.
Specifications - Weight and Dimensions
The Freedom 7 is worn on the ankle and has a trailing antenna attached to a power module. The unit is attached to the outside of your ankle using the Velcro straps on the specially designed pouch.
Who is this designed for?
Shark Shield is designed for use by professionals and any dedicated ocean adventurers.
Shark Shield has been used for over 2 decades by some of the world’s leading oceanic organizations. Freedom7 is used by police and rescue divers around the world as well as the United States Navy, as well as the Australian Navy. This is also mandated safety equipment in the Abalone industry in some countries.
This product is not just for professionals - this a high-end shark repellent for use by anyone who is a regular visitor to the ocean.
Boating and Fishing Safety
Shark Shield can be used to create a ‘safe zone’ for swimming and fishing from your boat. The Freedom7 can be suspended approximately 3 feet (1 meter) below your boat on a polystyrene float attached to the boat’s transom using a 10-foot (3 meter) tether.
If you need to create a larger safe zone, you can set this up by adding additional floats with multiple Freedom 7’s attached at 13 to 16 foot (4 to 5 meter) intervals.
Shark Shield can be used to create a ‘safe zone’ for swimming and fishing from your boat. The Freedom7 can be suspended approximately 3 feet (1 meter) below your boat on a polystyrene float attached to the boat’s transom using a 10-foot (3 meter) tether.
If you need to create a larger safe zone, you can set this up by adding additional floats with multiple Freedom 7’s attached at 13 to 16 foot (4 to 5 meter) intervals.
Kayak Fishing
Kayak fishing brings with it a high chance of a circling and nudging shark. Nothing attracts sharks like a fighting fish on the end of your line.
Dropping a Freedom7 in the water will turn the sharks away. The Freedom7 can be threaded through the scupper hole on your kayak or attached to a handle and dropped over the side.
Kayak fishing brings with it a high chance of a circling and nudging shark. Nothing attracts sharks like a fighting fish on the end of your line.
Dropping a Freedom7 in the water will turn the sharks away. The Freedom7 can be threaded through the scupper hole on your kayak or attached to a handle and dropped over the side.
Spearfishing, Scuba & Freedivers
Using a Shark Shield can prevent any unwanted human and shark interactions.
Surf School in Australia adopts Shark Shield
Here is a link to a story on an Australian Surf School who have made using the Shark Shield during classes mandatory.
Does Shark Shield deter all sharks? Is it safe?
Some bottom-dwelling and non-predatory sharks such as the Port Jackson, Wobbygong and Carpet sharks have limited active Ampullae of Lorenzini. This means Shark Shield may have limited or no effect on these sharks.
Ocean Guardian products do NOT harm the shark in any way. This is a safety device providing peace of mind while supporting the conservation of sharks. When used properly, the field generated by Ocean Guardian Freedom 7 poses no known danger to the user, to sharks or to the environment.
What about other sea creatures?
The technology used in Shark Shield means it will only repel sharks and sting-rays. It will not affect or repel dolphins, whales, fish or freshwater creatures.
Does this affect dive computers, fish finders, GPS's or cameras?
From over fifteen years of use in the field, and on all tests conducted to date, no interference has occurred on vessel equipment such as Fish Finders, GPS or other electronic equipment including camera's and GoPro's when using the Shark Shield Freedom7.
Many professional photographers use Ocean Guardian's products with no reported issues.
Shark Shield Freedom 7 Battery & Air Travel
The Ocean Guardian Shark Shield Freedom 7 comes with a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Each unit comes with a charge pack that includes international power adapters for the USA, Australia, Europe and Asia.
Once charged, the battery will last for approximately 6 hours. The Lithium-ion battery will provide over 1,000 charge cycles before it needs replacing.
When traveling by air, lithium-ion batteries must be carried as personal carry-on luggage, and not in the hold of the plane.
Important things to know about Shark Shield's electrical field
The Ocean Guardian's antenna emits a large pulsing current to produce the protective electric field. When used according to the instructions, the field generated by the Ocean Guardian, poses no known danger to the wearer, to sharks or to the environment.
The protective field can be detected by humans if the electrodes come into very close contact or close proximity with the skin. Anyone unintentionally in close proximity, or who comes into contact with the antenna, may possibly suffer muscle spasms in varying degrees. You need to be aware of this possibility and consider what adjustments you can make in order to limit these situations.
Do not use Shark Shield if you have these health or medical conditions
Anyone with a who is pregnant, or has a health condition could also be affected by the electric field. Examples of health conditions include heart disease, peripheral vascular decease, stroke, a history of heart problems, a history of fainting or epilepsy, or lung disease.
Anyone with any Electronic Medical Device (EMD) or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) such as a pacemaker, could be affected by the electric field, and should not use the Freedom 7 device.
Do you need these Shark Shield accessories?
The Shark Shield Freedom 7 comes with a comfortable and lightweight neoprene Velcro pouch which is worn around the leg.
It includes a battery charger and international power adapters for the USA, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
It doesn't come with a carry bag or carry case - these are optional accessories at an extra cost.
If you buy a Freedom 7 shark repellent, I recommend you also get one of the following accessories at the same time. You're spending a nice sum of money on a high end piece of equipment, so it's worth the extra investment to keep it protected when it's not in use.
The hard carry case is made from molded hard plastic and embossed with the Shark Shield logo.
It measures 14.57"x 10.63"x 5.9" (37 cm x 27 cm x 15 cm), and weighs around 31.75 ounces (or 900 grams).
Zippered Neoprene carry case embossed with the Shark Shield logo. The neoprene carry case has a diameter of 11.8" (30 cm).
The neoprene case is shown in the image below.
Shark Man TV - Testing Shark Shield Technology on Mako & Blue Sharks Video
Ready to buy a Freedom 7 Shark Repellent?
Powered by Ocean Guardian's Shark Shield technology, the Freedom7 shark repellent gives you protection from all predatory sharks – including Great Whites.
This is clever design, and is lightweight and compact enough to fit alongside with your existing gear. Freedom7 offers powerful protection and true peace of mind.
The Freedom7 comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, and a 12 month manufacturers warranty.
