In all the times I've worn one I've never been eaten by a shark, just like in all the times I've not worn one I've never been eaten by a shark, and the times not wearing one greatly outnumbers the times I've worn one. As Ross said they give quite the shock to people around you if you're not careful, I've had a sharkshield whip go along the length of my shoulders and it was a fucking horrible experience at depth.

Something else to take into consideration is the likelihood of being taken by a shark when diving for recreational purposes. There have been a number of scuba divers attacked by sharks in the past, but nearly all of those cases have been abalone divers, or pearl divers, there was the guy with the bag of catch on his weight belt, etc.

To me the cost of purchasing one, and the pain of wearing one around your ankle, and the entanglement hazard no less, does not outweigh my belief that I am for the most part safe from sharks at depth, but if it's my time to go, then so be it.

__________________
Air is for pussies.