Stodelle
07-13-2004, 11:37 PM
Alright, I have to come clean. I did something stupid this weekend that has not stopped nagging me.
I went out Spearfishing solo this weekend. That really isn't too much of a no-no because here on Maui we have alot of spearos, so there is always someone fairly close-by to where you are diving. (I know, I know)
Anyway, I came across a nice little ledge in about 25 feet of water. it's a ledge I always hit as I've gotten some decent fish there. Well, I dive down and peak under and see a whole school of Menpachi (Soldierfish) which are VERY good eating. So, I sight in on the biggest one, take a shot, and whack.....the spear sticks into the reef at the back of the ledge/cave.
It is about 18" tall, but it goes back about a good 5 or 6 feet. I tried working my shaft loose but it didn't budge. I had to resurface several time (freediving) while trying to work it loose. I told myself, "This is BS, I'm not leaving a $50 shaft here in this ledge. So, I dive down, slide through the ledge opening into the back of this cave, and work the shaft loose. I get it out, slide backwards and make for the surface.
Later, it hits me how I violated one of my own rules of doing something stupid. I have worked rescue and recovery for many years and it always amazed me how the "victims" always seemed to do something stupid and cause their families alot of grief.
As I was driving home with my wife and daughter in the car, I couldn't help but think the pain they would have gone through if something would have happened. All for a lousy $50 shaft!!!!
Call it therapy, but I just had to post it to hopefully make somebody aware of how a stupid little error in judgement in the heat of the moment could have been a major turning point for everyone.
I know I will think twice next time, but for now I am truly disapointed in myself. Oh well, at least I can say I "lived and learned".
I went out Spearfishing solo this weekend. That really isn't too much of a no-no because here on Maui we have alot of spearos, so there is always someone fairly close-by to where you are diving. (I know, I know)
Anyway, I came across a nice little ledge in about 25 feet of water. it's a ledge I always hit as I've gotten some decent fish there. Well, I dive down and peak under and see a whole school of Menpachi (Soldierfish) which are VERY good eating. So, I sight in on the biggest one, take a shot, and whack.....the spear sticks into the reef at the back of the ledge/cave.
It is about 18" tall, but it goes back about a good 5 or 6 feet. I tried working my shaft loose but it didn't budge. I had to resurface several time (freediving) while trying to work it loose. I told myself, "This is BS, I'm not leaving a $50 shaft here in this ledge. So, I dive down, slide through the ledge opening into the back of this cave, and work the shaft loose. I get it out, slide backwards and make for the surface.
Later, it hits me how I violated one of my own rules of doing something stupid. I have worked rescue and recovery for many years and it always amazed me how the "victims" always seemed to do something stupid and cause their families alot of grief.
As I was driving home with my wife and daughter in the car, I couldn't help but think the pain they would have gone through if something would have happened. All for a lousy $50 shaft!!!!
Call it therapy, but I just had to post it to hopefully make somebody aware of how a stupid little error in judgement in the heat of the moment could have been a major turning point for everyone.
I know I will think twice next time, but for now I am truly disapointed in myself. Oh well, at least I can say I "lived and learned".