Diving with sharks? Incredible: diver

Watching a 2.5 metre shark circle and then abandon him is one of the most incredible experiences Coastal Water Dive owner Torry Goodall has ever witnessed.

Following the latest shark attack tragedy, Mr Goodall spoke to the Bunbury Herald about the experiences he has had diving off the WA coast and interacting with sharks.

When spear fishing, he wears a shark shield which is a strap-on device that puts out an 8m radius of electric current that turns sharks away from the area.

Mr Goodall said it was curiosity that brought the sharks close to divers.

‘‘When you’re spearfishing you make the same movements as other animals who are catching food and the sharks come in out of curiosity,’’ he said.

‘‘But if you wear a shark shield the curiosity is overwhelmed by the current and they turn away.’’

Mr Goodall said he disagreed that shark shields were becoming a necessary thing to wear when diving but said a lot of people were wearing them to feel more comfortable in the water.

‘‘The habits people should take away from the recent tragedy is to remember diving rules, to dive with a buddy, tell people where you’re going and things like that,’’ he said.

‘‘Though if you’re spearfishing I think that changes the game and you should may be wear a shark shield.’’