A SCALLOP diver attacked by a white pointer while wearing a shark repellent device was not using the apparatus correctly, the State Coroner has found. Paul William Buckland, 23, of Port Lincoln, was attacked by the 6m long shark in the waters off Smoky Bay on April 30, 2002.

An inquest was held into his death in relation to the Shark Pod device he was wearing at the time.

Handing down his findings yesterday, Wayne Chivell said Mr Buckland and his employee, Shannon Jenzen, who dived shortly beforehand, were wearing the device incorrectly.

The inquest, held at Port Lincoln last month, heard that Mr Jenzen was on the ocean floor collecting scallops for about an hour with the device turned off.

In this time the shark was probably watching him and becoming increasingly excited.

Mr Chivell urged both recreational and commercial divers to wear the device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

However, he warned that sharks were determined predators and they may not be able to be controlled.

The device, manufactured by Sea Change Technology, works by surrounding the user with an electrical field, which impacts receptors in the shark's snout.

Mr Chivell said evidence, including testimonials from other divers, indicated the device could be effective in repelling sharks in a significant proportion of circumstances.

"Of course, having regard to the unpredictability of these creatures, it cannot be said with certainty that the device will always be effective in any circumstances," he said. "It seems to me, however, that both commercial and recreational divers who dive in areas where they may encounter sharks should be encouraged to wear this equipment."

He said wearing the device was like wearing a seat belt in a vehicle which has an airbag fitted because the "chances of survival are enhanced".

Mr Jenzen, who saw Mr Buckland attacked at the surface of the water, said it was common among divers to switch off the device while they were on the ocean floor because they felt safer there and the electrodes often zapped them.

He also said the practice saved the battery power.

Mr Chivell said Mr Buckland and Mr Jenzen were wearing one of the device's electrodes attached to their airhose when it should have been attached to a flipper. The other electrode is worn at the chest area creating a 1.5m electric field.

Giving evidence, Mr Jenzen said he tried to ram the predator with the 6.5m aluminium boat they were working from. "The shark attacked virtually straight away and I saw it happening in front of me," Mr Jenzen said at last month's inquest. "I saw that it was a white pointer and it had Bucky in its jaws. It lunged out of the water and was shaking its head and thrashing around. I steamed up to the shark and it was still attacking him. It wouldn't let him go." Mr Jenzen said the mobile phone in the boat had a flat battery and the radio was not working. Mr Buckland died in his boat before they could reach land.