FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A new shark-repellent device demonstrated in a viral YouTube video is drawing attention for what appears to be its ability to drive away dozens of sharks with a single blast.

The video opens with a diver surrounded by many sharks, moments later, his partner fires a handheld canister that releases a burst of white foam. The sharks immediately scatter.

Dramatic, yes — but is it real?

Marine biologist David Schneider, the inventor behind the device, says it is. Schneider calls his creation the “Shark Skunker,” a repellent he says is easy to use, environmentally safe and potentially life-saving.

“One of my main goals here is to lessen the fear of the shark,” Schneider said.

During a demonstration, Schneider held the device tightly as he explained how it works. The chemical inside, sodium lauryl sulfate, is commonly found in soaps, shampoos and shaving creams.

When released, it creates a four- to five-second cloud of foam that coats a shark’s gills and causes temporary irritation.

“The sharks don’t like it because it coats their gills, but as they swim, it rinses off — just like washing your hands,” Schneider said.

In the demonstration, nearby snorkelers didn’t notice anything unusual even as the blast dispersed underwater.

Schneider said he has multiple versions in the works: a floating model for lifeguards to tow during emergencies, variations designed for boaters and yacht owners, and a deep-sea model for salvage crews and oil-rig workers.

Testing is ongoing, and Schneider is awaiting a patent.

“We’ve been able to do bull sharks, lemon sharks, reef sharks, tiger sharks,” he said. “Haven’t gotten to great whites yet, but it’s certain to repel them as well.”

The YouTube video has fueled public curiosity — and Schneider hopes his invention will eventually help both people and sharks stay safer in the water.

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