Gun Safety!

[Fish-Kabob]

If you decide to dive with a partner, you must then focus on gun safety. There are 3 rules that I use when diving with a partner that will ALWAYS prevent an accidental shooting.

1. NEVER point the gun in the direction of another diver.
2. Use the safety until you are going to shoot.
3. Know where your partner is before you shoot.

When I dive with a partner that I know will use these 3 safety measures during the dive, I am always more comfortable.

This is a basic topic, but important indeed.

[Ed Walker]

Only accidental shooting Ive heard of was a local guy here who was down a ways below his buddy on descent when the spare shaft slipped out of its holder and down it went, right into the other guys head. Didnt go thru far enough to do serious damage but he was hurt and it was the end of thier day. The saftey on my gun no longer works, at least I dont think so, cost me too many shots. It is never pointed anywhere near another diver though and it is only loaded when actively hunting.

[Divin' fool]

Not too long ago we discussed Powerhead Safety precautions... I know different boats have different ideas.... I like these rules:

1) NO loaded PHs on the boat!!!!!!!!

2) PHs should be unloaded before surfacing (ie on the safety stop).

3) The muzzel of ALL guns should be pointed in a safe direction.

4) Whoever takes the gun from the diver coming out of the water checks the PH to make sure it is not "hot".

5) All guns go into the vertical rack when not in use.

6) All guns and PH in the safe position when handed into the boat and stored.

[zeN||]

Spearfishing with a partner complicates the use of PHs, if I hunt with a buddy (low viz anyways) we always hunt a good distance apart with a prearranged plan to surface at an interval and check each other; in an environment with good viz we agree beforehand what each other's field of fire will be, if the viz goes down and we will still hunt together I put a spearpoint on and the powerhead gets stowed zeN

[Steel Shootin']

Always know where your muzzle is pointed.

In insufficient vis - NEVER shoot horizontally, vertically up, or up in the water column, simply because you cannot know what is beyond your target. Shoot down on the fish or don't shoot at all (assuming you see the bottom)

Never point the gun at the person you're handing it off to on the boat, even when you know it to be uncocked.

Declare "unloaded" or "loaded" when handing it up (there will be times what a shark is nibbling at your rear, and no-one will hold it against you if you hand it up loaded...as long as you declare it is loaded and don't point it at them).

If handed up a loaded gun, uncock it right away. Don't lay it down. Heard a good story about that scenerio recently.

If going down to shoot jacks with someone, have a very detailed plan, as you'll be shooting up in the column at the same time frequently.

Don't touch a gun until you're a good diver. Learn to dive first.

Don't use a gun reel as plan to go to the surface and fight. If you want to reel a fish up from the surface, I suggest a Penn International. Chad Carney recently spelled out the best and safest way to use a reel.

Keep good company.

[Chad Carney]

As yet unmentioned gun safety issues:

Be sure your gun rack does not allow falling divers to be impaled in rough seas or by slipping on wet decks. I've even seen racks in stores right next to stairs, hallways etc. Position long guns on the outside slots, short ones in the middle or under the gunwales. Don't use vertical spear holders. Consider vertical rails by your gun rack.

Throw away the little red (or whatever color) caps that came on your new spears, they probably have already been pierced and offer false security. Cut speargun rubber stoppers can stop your gun from creating scars on your person or vehicle headliner.

Safeties on most guns function poorly anyway, roll on fire, or are at least confusing. Your bands not being cocked are the best safety. Even then the gun is still sharp and dangerous. Be especially careful around pneumatic gun users. In order to unload the gun the spear must be removed, and the line goes everywhere. Inconvenience causes many pneumo-divers to bring up loaded guns, which gives me the willies! (Side issue: Ask any experienced shooter how many nice fish they have lost due to safeties being on at the wrong time.)

Don't bring line shot fish to the boat unless the water's clear. Besides cudas, the spear may bite a diver too. (I once stupidly shot an AJ 25' away from another diver and it swung around going between his legs, cutting his wetsuit. More willies!)

Don't carry powerheads in weight pockets or in with other gear. Safety pins don't always stay secure. Yep, I know a guy who shot himself this way. He almost hit me!

My reel technique was for scuba only. Freedivers with benthic fish usually reel out to ascend and then work the fish by diving again down their taut line. On pelagics they have to be real careful around other divers or structure.

Chad Carney