Testing if Sharks Can Smell a Drop of Blood

Summary

In a daring experiment off the coast of The Bahamas, the host tests the myth of sharks' ability to detect a single drop of blood from a mile away. With the help of marine biologist Luke Tipple, they conduct two experiments: one using cow's blood and another with human blood at varying flow rates. Despite being surrounded by sharks, the results show no significant attraction to the blood, debunking common misconceptions and highlighting sharks' true nature.

Takeaways

• 📱 The host texted a clip to his wife to prove he was safe while conducting a shark experiment in The Bahamas.
• 🦈 The experiment aimed to test the myth of sharks being able to smell a single drop of blood from a mile away.
• 🔬 A more robust test procedure was designed to improve upon the methodology used in the MythBusters' previous attempt.
• 🛠️ NASA-grade hardware was built for the experiment, including waterproof receiver boxes, batteries, custom circuit boards, and Arduinos.
• 🏄‍♂️ Four surfboards were used in the first experiment, each with two liters of different liquids to attract sharks: fish oil, cow's blood, seawater (control), and urine.
• 📊 The first experiment found that sharks showed a preference for blood over fish oil, urine, or seawater.
• 🩸 For the second experiment, human blood was used to test if sharks have a taste for it, with different flow rates applied.
• 📹 A 360 camera was attached to a hand spear to capture a unique underwater bullet time effect.
• 🤿 The host free-dived with sharks without a cage after the experiments, highlighting the relative safety of being in shark-infested waters with minor injuries.
• 🌟 The experience changed the host's perception of sharks, increasing respect for them while reducing fear based on misinformation.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of the experiment featured in the video?

The primary goal of the experiment was to test if sharks have a preference for blood over other scents and if they can detect a single drop of blood from a significant distance, as well as to debunk common myths about sharks' behavior.

What substances were tested in the first experiment to attract sharks?

The first experiment tested four substances: cow's blood, fish oil, seawater (as a control), and urine to determine which would attract the most sharks.

What myth did the experiment aim to address about sharks and surfers' urine?

The experiment aimed to address the myth that peeing in a wetsuit attracts sharks, which is a concern among some surfers.

How did the team control the release of liquids during the experiment?

The team used specially designed surfboards equipped with a waterproof receiver box, batteries, and peristaltic pumps controlled remotely to ensure the liquids were pumped at the same time and in a sterile manner.

What were the results of the first experiment in terms of shark attraction?

In the first experiment, the blood board attracted the most attention with 41 sharks, while fish oil attracted 4 sharks. Neither urine nor seawater (the control) attracted any sharks.

Why was the decision made to switch from cow’s blood to human blood for the second experiment?

The team decided to switch to human blood to see if sharks would react differently to it, given that cow's blood was used in the first experiment.

How did the second experiment, involving human blood, differ from the first?

The second experiment involved three boards: one pumping human blood slowly (one drop per minute), one pumping human blood quickly (one drop every four seconds), and a control board. The experiment aimed to see if smaller amounts of human blood would attract sharks.

What were the results of the second experiment with human blood?

The second experiment showed that no sharks were attracted to either the slow or fast-pumping human blood boards, suggesting that small amounts of human blood do not provoke a feeding frenzy.

How did the team ensure safety during the experiments?

The team took safety precautions by using remote-controlled surfboards to release the liquids, having a shark expert on hand, and observing the sharks from a distance before diving.

What did the narrator conclude about sharks after the experiments?

The narrator concluded that sharks are less dangerous than commonly believed, as they are not as attracted to small amounts of blood as myths suggest. He left with a greater respect for their power and a better understanding of their behavior.