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Diving alone!
This is quite a struggle for me sometimes... and I KNOW that I am not alone.
When I started out a little over a year ago, I was totally infatuated with the sport. I dived at every opportunity I had (and didn't have). Finding buddies to dive with proved to be very difficult because I mainly dived during the week. I have dived on my own in the shallow 2-3m deep kelp beds in Cape Point a few times on my own. Like most things, the more I did it, the easier it became...etc...
However, I also had an increasing awareness that if something were to happen... who would know?
And this is what has bothered me without end. The spearing media has also portrayed an image of an intrepid adventurer going boldly where no one has gone before... Pushing the limits and diving in untouched waters. But, in all fairness, this is a generalisation and not the encouraged practice of the respective individuals and brands.
This is where the rubber meets the road: You've had a look. The conditions are awesome. No one to dive with! What to do? I'll leave that for you to answer for yourself.
I believe in dive buddies! If at ALL possible Please dive with someone! I have learned that it is an awesome thing knowing that you are not alone in that hostile environment! Diving with someone helps me to relax in the water and the knock on effect of this is immeasurable!
What I have done in the past, when doing a solo dive, is something similar to checking out with Penguin or Scarborough when going out into the deep. I have called a mate telling him where I am diving, when I am getting in what time I plan on getting out. Once I'm out, I call them again to let them know I'm all safe.
Safe diving,
L
This is quite a struggle for me sometimes... and I KNOW that I am not alone.
When I started out a little over a year ago, I was totally infatuated with the sport. I dived at every opportunity I had (and didn't have). Finding buddies to dive with proved to be very difficult because I mainly dived during the week. I have dived on my own in the shallow 2-3m deep kelp beds in Cape Point a few times on my own. Like most things, the more I did it, the easier it became...etc...
However, I also had an increasing awareness that if something were to happen... who would know?
And this is what has bothered me without end. The spearing media has also portrayed an image of an intrepid adventurer going boldly where no one has gone before... Pushing the limits and diving in untouched waters. But, in all fairness, this is a generalisation and not the encouraged practice of the respective individuals and brands.
This is where the rubber meets the road: You've had a look. The conditions are awesome. No one to dive with! What to do? I'll leave that for you to answer for yourself.
I believe in dive buddies! If at ALL possible Please dive with someone! I have learned that it is an awesome thing knowing that you are not alone in that hostile environment! Diving with someone helps me to relax in the water and the knock on effect of this is immeasurable!
What I have done in the past, when doing a solo dive, is something similar to checking out with Penguin or Scarborough when going out into the deep. I have called a mate telling him where I am diving, when I am getting in what time I plan on getting out. Once I'm out, I call them again to let them know I'm all safe.
Safe diving,
L
Unfortunately none of these tips are things that I've figured out for myself...they are all tips I picked up from other spearos and trainers, so thanks to the guys I've had the privilege to dive with!
Swim with your gun pointing down
When diving in low viz conditions, swim with your gun in front of you pointing to the ocean bed. This will make your gun hit the rock / sand before your nose does.
Point your gun where you are looking
When looking around during aspetto or even when just swimming around, turn your gun in the direction you are looking. This makes reflex shots a lot more accurate.
Muzzle your gun when hunting in close quarters
When hunting in caves or in very close proximity to rocks. Before taking the shot grab your gun's barrel (including rubber and spear) more or less in the middle of the gun and press down firmly. This could save a blunt point and a possible bent spear.
Make sure you don't get any digits in the way of fast moving rubber, lines or spear.
Do NOT try this without gloves.
If a spot looks barren it most probably is.
If I drop onto an area which do not show immediate potential I don't hang around. I will move the next spot without hesitation.
Utilise the residual air in your mask
When doing deeper dives (10m+) you will find that you equalise your mask on the way down by blowing in air through your nose.
You can use this air when going back up.
As you ascend the air in your mask will expand and escape via the sides of your mask. Instead of having it escape sniff it back in. You'll be amazed at what big a difference a tiny snort of air makes.
Relax
This is something I really struggle with as get pretty excited when in hunting mode. However, I make a conscious effort to be better at being more relaxed in the water and when mentally replaying a dive in my head I always come to the conclusion that have a more enjoyable and successful dive when I'm at my most relaxed.
Swim quietly and stealthy
Try and keep noise, bubbles and erratic movements to a minimum. Besides not freaking the fish out you will force yourself to move more fluently and thus conserve O2.
Do a spearfishing / freediving course
Prompted by Corry's excellent article on Shallow Water Blackouts and a point in the right direction by x_yeti, I did a SSI 1 freediving course some months ago with free dive international. My idea was to brush up on safety and see if I could learn some techniques to extend my bottom time.
I must say it did a hell of a lot more than that. There was a lot more to learn than I expected and it pretty much completely changed the way I dived. I still have a lot of techniques to master but it most definitely made a big difference and I'm for sure a better spearo because of it.
Do a proper surface interval
I used to spend less than or almost the same amount of time above the water than below. IOW if I was down for minute I would spend even less than a minute at the top before going down again.
I've now changed that whereby I spend roughly double the amount of time at the surface to what I have spent at the bottom. This makes a massive difference! It gives me time to breathe up properly which relaxes me more which in turn gives longer bottom time and longer more enjoyable dive sessions.
Do a couple of warm-up dives
I never did warm-up dives before starting to actively look for fish. But I've learnt the mammalian dive reflex is a wonderful thing and will get kick-started a lot quicker when doing a couple of concentrated and proper warm-up dives.
Lastly
When considering these tips: Apply a liberal amount of common sense, use these tips with caution and at your own risk.
Dive safe!
Swim with your gun pointing down
When diving in low viz conditions, swim with your gun in front of you pointing to the ocean bed. This will make your gun hit the rock / sand before your nose does.
Point your gun where you are looking
When looking around during aspetto or even when just swimming around, turn your gun in the direction you are looking. This makes reflex shots a lot more accurate.
Muzzle your gun when hunting in close quarters
When hunting in caves or in very close proximity to rocks. Before taking the shot grab your gun's barrel (including rubber and spear) more or less in the middle of the gun and press down firmly. This could save a blunt point and a possible bent spear.
Make sure you don't get any digits in the way of fast moving rubber, lines or spear.
Do NOT try this without gloves.
If a spot looks barren it most probably is.
If I drop onto an area which do not show immediate potential I don't hang around. I will move the next spot without hesitation.
Utilise the residual air in your mask
When doing deeper dives (10m+) you will find that you equalise your mask on the way down by blowing in air through your nose.
You can use this air when going back up.
As you ascend the air in your mask will expand and escape via the sides of your mask. Instead of having it escape sniff it back in. You'll be amazed at what big a difference a tiny snort of air makes.
Relax
This is something I really struggle with as get pretty excited when in hunting mode. However, I make a conscious effort to be better at being more relaxed in the water and when mentally replaying a dive in my head I always come to the conclusion that have a more enjoyable and successful dive when I'm at my most relaxed.
Swim quietly and stealthy
Try and keep noise, bubbles and erratic movements to a minimum. Besides not freaking the fish out you will force yourself to move more fluently and thus conserve O2.
Do a spearfishing / freediving course
Prompted by Corry's excellent article on Shallow Water Blackouts and a point in the right direction by x_yeti, I did a SSI 1 freediving course some months ago with free dive international. My idea was to brush up on safety and see if I could learn some techniques to extend my bottom time.
I must say it did a hell of a lot more than that. There was a lot more to learn than I expected and it pretty much completely changed the way I dived. I still have a lot of techniques to master but it most definitely made a big difference and I'm for sure a better spearo because of it.
Do a proper surface interval
I used to spend less than or almost the same amount of time above the water than below. IOW if I was down for minute I would spend even less than a minute at the top before going down again.
I've now changed that whereby I spend roughly double the amount of time at the surface to what I have spent at the bottom. This makes a massive difference! It gives me time to breathe up properly which relaxes me more which in turn gives longer bottom time and longer more enjoyable dive sessions.
Do a couple of warm-up dives
I never did warm-up dives before starting to actively look for fish. But I've learnt the mammalian dive reflex is a wonderful thing and will get kick-started a lot quicker when doing a couple of concentrated and proper warm-up dives.
Lastly
When considering these tips: Apply a liberal amount of common sense, use these tips with caution and at your own risk.
Dive safe!
Awesome Landshark.
Diving with a knife is essential!
I know that it has been mentioned on the forum before, but a sharp knife can save your life! Especially if you find yourself in a sticky situation...
Also, an easily accessable knife will speed up the process of killing the fish while on the spear and reloading. I used to dive with a relatively bulky knife on the outside of my right calf. One day I was at the end of a breath hold when a shoal of nice Galjoen came into view. I pushed a little harder and waited for them to come closer. To no avail! I had to retreat. while on my way up to the surface, my knife snagged on some kelp... Flip! I managed to stay calm and kick a little harder and the sheath broke free and I got to the surface. Never again.
I now wear it on the inside of my right calf. Flip! What a difference!
Safe diving,
Cheers,
L
Diving with a knife is essential!
I know that it has been mentioned on the forum before, but a sharp knife can save your life! Especially if you find yourself in a sticky situation...
Also, an easily accessable knife will speed up the process of killing the fish while on the spear and reloading. I used to dive with a relatively bulky knife on the outside of my right calf. One day I was at the end of a breath hold when a shoal of nice Galjoen came into view. I pushed a little harder and waited for them to come closer. To no avail! I had to retreat. while on my way up to the surface, my knife snagged on some kelp... Flip! I managed to stay calm and kick a little harder and the sheath broke free and I got to the surface. Never again.
I now wear it on the inside of my right calf. Flip! What a difference!
Safe diving,
Cheers,
L
Wear your weight belt on your hips.
Slow belly breathing is a good technique to use to breath up before a dive. Wearing your weight belt over your middle will hamper this considerably and will also not allow you to fill your lungs completely before going down.
You will however find that a normal webbing weigh belt will slip down if placed on your hips. A rubber dive belt works much better or if you use a Bright Weights weight belt buy some of their rubber belt tensioners.
Slow belly breathing is a good technique to use to breath up before a dive. Wearing your weight belt over your middle will hamper this considerably and will also not allow you to fill your lungs completely before going down.
You will however find that a normal webbing weigh belt will slip down if placed on your hips. A rubber dive belt works much better or if you use a Bright Weights weight belt buy some of their rubber belt tensioners.
