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SHARK STOP
SCIENCE
Revolutionary use of space-age UHMWPE ensures Shark Stop fabric significantly reduces lacerations compared to standard wetsuits.
FEAR LESS
NOT JUST A WETSUIT
Shark Stop bite-resistant wetsuits incorporate space-age ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene nanofibre (UHMWPE).
VIEW WESUITSUHMWPE has a strength to weight ratio 50% greater than kevlar, and 8-15x greater than steel*
UHMWPE nanofibres are high modulus and abrasion-resistant, along with being UV resistant and lightweight with low density. This technology is widely used in ballistic protection and defence applications.
* Based on a scientific study led by Dr Simon Skovsgård at Aarhus University, Denmark 2019 – 2020
Learn more about the features of Shark Stop on our wetsuits page.
ADVANTAGES OF UHMWPE FIBRES
HIGH STRENGTH
Strength to weight ratio 50% greater than kevlar.
LOW DENSITY
Lightweight protection material, reducing body fatigue.
ABRASION-RESISTANT
Low surface wear against continuous rubbing contact with another materials.
EXTENDED FLEXIBILITY
Resistant to fatigue from stretching and bending; features a long flexibility lifetime.
CUT RESISTANCE
Extremely high tolerance to cuts, in and out of the water.
IMPACT RESISTANCE
Excellent impact resistance and high impact absorption capacity.
Fabric Testing
Independent scientists tested nine different fabrics to establish the effectiveness of incorporating UHMWPE nanofibres into wetsuits. Field testing showed the average depth of a bite from a Great White Shark on Shark Stop was considerably less than that on standard neoprene. This also results in a reduction of puncture length as the teeth can not penetrate as deeply.
"The leading cause of fatality from shark bite victims is blood loss"
SHARK STOP FABRIC TESTING FOOTAGE
Minimising puncture depth through the fabric stops the tearing action of the teeth as it’s the bite force that punctures, but then the sides of the teeth can’t further tear the fabric between the teeth and this protects the body from the horrific bite / tear injuries, restricting them to smaller puncture wounds with much less tissue damage and blood loss.
VIEW WESUITSFORCE NEEDED TO PENETRATE SHARK STOP
SHARK STOP VS NEOPRENE
Through independent testing, scientists found the force required to penetrate Shark Stop fabric was significantly higher for Shark Stop (1150N) compared to standard neoprene (264N). This results in a reduction of punctures as well as a reduction in cut depth and length.
"...helps reduce blood loss providing more time for medical aid to be given to the victim"
VIEW WESUITS
THE SCIENCE OF SURVIVING A SHARK BITE INCIDENT
Studies have revealed that the primary cause of death in shark bite incidents is due to excessive blood loss, known as hemorrhagic shock. In such cases, immediate medical attention is crucial, and ideally, reducing the depth that a shark's teeth can penetrate in the first place. Here is where Shark Stop comes into the picture.
A recent study has shown the most common places for a shark to bite, across various shark species and water activities, is on a person's legs, followed by torso and then arms. The placement of Shark Stop panels in our wetsuits have been strategically chosen to significantly reduce the amount of blood lost during a shark bite incident by protecting the most vulnerable areas from serious puncture.
So, with Shark Stop, you can now take the plunge into the ocean with more confidence and security.
PROUD SUPPORTERS
As part of our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship, we proudly contribute 1% of our annual revenue to the '1% for the Planet' initiative, supporting impactful environmental causes worldwide.
