'Invisibility' wetsuit promises protection in land of killer sharks (LA Times)

[petronius]

Can a wetsuit protect a diver from sharks? In Western Australia, where shark attacks (although still rare) have risen sharply, officials and scientists alike are testing whether the answer may lie in fashion.

So, when it comes to avoiding sharks, is it better to stand out or to fade into the background?

A "conspicuous" wetsuit with big white and deep-blue stripes on the arms and legs makes a diver obvious to sharks. A "cryptic" version has been likened to the Harry Potter invisibility cloak. It comes in shades of white, gray and aqua.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-australia-invisibility-wetsuit-20130718,0,3854974,full.story

I sort of like the blue one there, but I'll pass on the zebra-suit. Although I guess you have to weigh the pros and cons: is it more likely that I will ever need to not be seen by a shark, or is it more likely that a time will arise that I really do want to be seen by a dive buddy, rescuer, or passing boater?

A shark expert in the article expresses some skepticism of both designs, by the way...