Can shark repellents protect you from getting bitten?
CBSN
Recent shark attacks off the coast of Long Island in New York have some ocean lovers wondering what they can do to avoid potential encounters with the sharp-toothed predators. One option: shark repellent.
Repellents come in different forms, from bracelets or anklets to surfboard wax. Some work by emitting electrical pulses underwater that aim to disrupt a shark's ability to home in on prey, while others give off a smell that sharks hopefully find unappetizing.
But do shark repellents work? The most important thing to know about the deterrents is that they're not foolproof, shark behavior experts told CBS MoneyWatch. That's because tiger sharks, bull sharks, great white sharks, hammerheads and other shark species all have different behaviors and react differently to the various forms of repellents, Gavin Naylor, director of shark research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, said.