core, that sounds like a great idea...it combines all the elements of the other suggestions with no real addition of risk, great idea
Dangerous gear - speargun wrist strap
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Put some strings together and they will tangle some time or another, is just a matter of time. That would be an awesome device to attach to my kid daughter at the supermarket or when it gets real crowded. Ditto, that device is not just silly but dangerous. Should be against the law.
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That Mako product should be intended to be used together with a reel...
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I'm attaching all my guns to my belt, but that is something that might be OK for the type of diving we're doing in NE: striped bass in 30-70 ft, medium to heavy current, lots of structure to get gear tangled into.
If the situation asks for, will not try to unclip the gun - I will just drop the belt. That way the gun will stay where is dropped and I'll be able to recover it at a later time, and since I am under stress already ditching the belt is a good thing.
This setup would not work on deeper waters... or the setup would work, but you cannot recover it
I wouldn't use the thing from mako to attach the gun to my hand as it is now: while I can be prepared to drop the belt, I have a harder time accommodating the thought of dropping the arm and going to recover it at a later time.
There is one small change that actually would make that contraption work: the buckles are "pressure-rated" (they are designed to give up at a certain force). If the buckles would be easily interchangeable then you could choose between buckles that give up at 10lb pull, 20lb pull etc depending on the type of dive/diver. That would be a more elegant solution compared to a string that will break.
Other option would be to attach it in the same way a float line is attached -with a snubber.
I still prefer, for my shallow dives, the gun attached to the belt and being dropped with the belt.
Stefan
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Another problem here is jewfish. Even if you are shooting small fish a 400lb jewfish eating the small fish will take you down easily.
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i dont know exactly the purpose of this thing, but whenever i need a place to rest the gun, like when messin up in the kayak with my body still in the water or dickin with the anchor line ive always jsut hung it off the weight belt by a tuna clip, which i think will work well until i shoot myself in the foot
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I wrap the float line a couple of times around my arm when need be. In anticipation of taking a dump I'd pull in the float and hang everything on the stringer including the weight belt. That was before a two piece wetsuit. Now my procedure is to loosen the belt, bring it up high just below my chest, undo the beaver tail and fold up the jacket. This way I can hold on to the gun with one hand and fin away from the discharge with the other hand, as the pants down around the knees prohibits kicking (enjoy the visual LOL). And now that we ended up talking about excrement I feel we've come around full circle back to this wonderful piece of gear.
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how to properly discharge waste is a thread in itself
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I think so. Here's the definitive guide.
Quote from Dive4BloodWhether you freedive or tankdive, dive shallow or dive deep, shoot hogfish in the Middle Grounds, white seabass off of Cali, red snapper on the Louisiana oil rigs, tickle lobsters off the Florida East Coast, or even slay ulua in the Hawaiian Islands at some point nature will call.......with an amplified bullhorn. In this vein I have taken it upon myself to inscribe a primer of taking a dump at sea to help those who miles from the comfort of their own shitter feel frustrated and helpless against the intestinal reality facing them in the untamed vastness of the ocean wilderness. So with a plate of Hooters hot wings sitting before us, let us begin our journey.
The "Classic" Gunnel Hunch
While the term "gunnel hunch" now encompasses all forms of oceanic shitting, the true gunnel hunch technique is one that is still widely practiced and revered as the true path by hunching elitists. To perfom correctly the person in need of emptying their bowels (henceforth to be termed the "huncher") drops neoprene and sits on the gunwale of the boat facing inward. In the next step the huncher slides backwards until the back of his knees lock the upper corner of the gunwale, and the anus becomes free and unbound by fiberglass. Depending on factors such as sea conditions, whether the vessel is in gear, and the projected force of the impending bowel movement, the huncher may also firmly grip the gunwale (gunnel) with his hands. This causes the huncher to appear hunched over, and thus the origin for the classic technique's name.Pros- As mentioned this is the classic technique which when done correctly identifies the huncher as a master of his craft, garnering respect from all on the vessel. It can be done without needing to take off dive gear, and is quick and efficient. Provides the huncher with the opportunity for the rare and elusive "coast to coast" (unbroken log from ass to waterline) depending on the vessel's freeboard.
Cons-Depending on the width of the gunwale the huncher may not be able to tuck his junk all the way back which may lead to embarrassing urination on legs and wetsuit. Balance may be an issue in heavy sea conditions which can cause an inadvertent frogman style backflip in mid hunch. Neophyte hunchers with poor hunching skills may also streak the side of the boat with ass gravy, a source of much consternation for vessel owners.
Bucket Bombing
With this technique, the huncher simply sits on a five gallon bucket that has been prepped beforehand with several inches of salt water at which point hunching procedures begin in earnest.Pros-As opposed to the classic hunch, sitting on a bucket provides familiar pressure on the ass cheeks reminiscient of one's flush toilet at home. This allows the huncher to relax, and hunch more naturally. With hands free, the huncher has the freedom to read a magazine, smoke a cigarette, or even drink a Mountain Dew Code Red while hunching.
Cons-As with the classic technique, bucket bombing provides little in the way of privacy which can be disasterous for those that are "poop shy". This method can also be hazardous as the bucket is apt to begin sliding in heavy seas. On wide beam boats this can turn the huncher into a pinball as he helplesssly careens mid hunch into dive tanks, coolers, and other occupants of the vessel.
Platform Powerblaster
This hunching faction is somewhat limited to vesels with viable dive platforms. The huncher simply squats down as if he were a baseball catcher about to snag a fastball from Roger Clemmons on the dive platform while gripping the transom with one or both hands, and begins hunching activities.Pros-Since the huncher can tuck in behind the transom, a measure of privacy is attained that classic gunnel hunching or bucket bombing cannot provide. The squatting posture allows the huncher to bear down in case of constipation, and all hunching residue is typically sent downcurrent away from the vessel.
Cons- An errant swell exposes ass and taint (AKA- the nad sack/bung hole demilitarized zone) to 50*-65* ocean water which can be potentially hazardous in winter diving conditions. Danger of hunching over scuba divers performing safety stops directly below also exists.
In Water Hunching
This is the easiet method requiring the least bit of training in which the huncher simply jumps in the water to hunch.Pros- Best of both worlds by providing a measure of privacy since all hunching activities occur below the surface but allows the huncher to continue a conversation if desired. Treading water while hunching promotes cardiovascular fitness while simultaneously taking a massive dump.
Cons- Depending on the consistency of the hunching material, the huncher could find himself caught in a cloud of his own hunch. Encounters with other organisms while hunching play a factor. Free swimming remoras (AKA-turd burglers) could become an annoyance or frighten the huncher if they are large. Jellyfish and other stinging coelenterates could spell disaster to a huncher's exposed nether regions.
Marine Head
This technique is no different than a typical terrestrial hunch. The huncher must be aware however of the fickle nature of a marine head even under the best of conditions.Pros- As mentioned this provides the most "normal" hunching conditions affording the huncher with at-home style privacy. This method is the most conducive to a blumpkin should the opportunity arise.
Cons- As also mentioned the nature of a marine head causes it to malfunction as often as it functions properly. A back up could leave the huncher with a "gusher", dowsing the cabin area with a vile witches brew. The cramped quarters of the typical marine head could lead to claustrophobia, and trapped methane adds to sea sickness, or even pose a fire risk.
Now that we have learned the various gunnel hunching philosophies, let us review the various methods of post gunnel hunch mitigation.
Toilet Paper- Not the best choice under most circumstances. The wet and damp conditions of dive boats allows standard toilet paper to get wet turning it into useless pile of paper maiche.
Paper Towels- The heavier paper weight of paper towels keeps it from getting as soggy as toilet paper, and the rougher finish allows it to work more efficiently. Can be problematic especially after eating spicy food the night before.
Sargassum/Kelp- The most natural choice which can scooped up as it drifts by. There have been reports of sargussum fish being lodged deeply in a huncher's sphincter which needs to be taken carefully into account.
Salt Water Washdown- Untold millions of people in Europe and Asia use the water jet of a bidet as an every day post hunching mitigation method...why is the American psyche so intrinsically opposed to this? Quick, clean, and easy providing the maximum mitigation. The salt in salt water also provides an antiseptic astringent that leaves the sphincter refreshed and ready for a day of intense spearfishing. Care must be taken with high pressure washdowns as it may permit salt water to penetrate the sphincter/colon barrier imitating the effects of an enema. This could lead to explosively violent gunnel hunches minutes later.
That finishes my gunnel hunching primer. I hope that in some small way I have helped divers worldwide become better spearos by eliminating confusion surrounding gunnel hunching, and allowing them to focus more on achieving their spearfishing goals. I also realize that like BBQ and chicken wings (which incidentally are the cause of much gunnel hunching) both having vast regional differences each claiming to the "best", there are probably gunnel hunching methods that I have not described, or variations of the ones above that are conducted differently so please feel free to share your best practices. Thanks.....
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i dont know exactly the purpose of this thing, but whenever i need a place to rest the gun, like when messin up in the kayak with my body still in the water or dickin with the anchor line ive always jsut hung it off the weight belt by a tuna clip, which i think will work well until i shoot myself in the foot
Yet another reason I am going to the in-line floatline method. Just drop the gun; the float will hold it.
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That should be a sticky.:thumbsup2:
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i dont know..i think mako did that you know to get money from every idea they have...obviusly just by seeing it you know its risky..i never think on attaching some leash to my wrist (spearfishing) or to my weight belt..i dont think is safe for the big beasts im seeing lately in the waters of the island..
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This way I can hold on to the gun with one hand and fin away from the discharge with the other hand, as the pants down around the knees prohibits kicking (enjoy the visual LOL).
Getting enough propulsion with one hand is difficult. Plus you look weird flailing around like that.
You have to "Jockey" it and dolphin kick upcurrent.
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hehehe maybe the hand finning is more to get the turds away from you, but it seems like you're getting away from them too. I've done this dolphin kick you speak of. It's gotta look hilarious. To capture someone on video doing it would be priceless. I still owe you for that time you grabbed my lobster stick BTW.
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I know this is an old thread, but it reminded me of an incident that happened years ago on the gulf coast. I at the time took it as a huge cautionary tale, and have due to the story never considered attaching any gun to myself.
A scuba diver off our coast maybe 7 or so years back was was doing some spearfishing scuba style. He was targeting large grouper. Now I'm not sure what species it was he shot or the size. I remember at the time thinking it had to be a goliath, but seeing their protective status it wouldn't make sense. His bright idea, as opposed to other gear, was to loop and fasten chain around the gun to his arm unconcerned I imagine because he could depend on his tank. He shot a large grouper, and failing a kill shot, was at that point at the fishes will until he could wrangle the fish in. Unfortunatelty, that never happened and the man was dragged to depth where he ran out of air and perished. I cannot remember many specifics seeing how its been at least 7 or so years since it happened, but I do remember it causing quite a stir in the community. I will try to look up a copy of the article from our local paper when I have a bit more time to post.
I mean no disrepect, and it surely was a tragedy, but this should have never happened. The lesson is obvious, and even more important to freedivers who do not have a bottle fulll of air to back them up. Entering the ocean is a risk every time, but we have the ability to limit that risk if we use our heads. Why attach your gun to yourself when it is not necessary? It disturbs me to see products such as this marketed mostly because i can imagine when I was 14 first shooting fish I may have thought it great idea lacking the wisdom I do now. I can guarantee you I would not have had a problem shooting at a 30lb grouper poking out of a ledge at that age, gun attached or not. Its all well and good for expierienced diver's to be aware, but its the other end of the equation that scares me the most about this product. Just my two cents on it though.
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It disturbs me to see products such as this marketed mostly because i can imagine when I was 14 first shooting fish I may have thought it great idea lacking the wisdom I do now.
Exactly, and just to make a couple of bucks. That's what happens when someone who's not a freediver starts selling stuff to freedivers. How long would it take me to make a dozen of these and put them in the store :rolleye2: Thanks for sharing the story Ben.
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good observations Ben, I agree...it is a little irresponsible to market something with such a tremendous risk without at least a disclaimer
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:laughing3: this is hilarious! the pros and cons for "In Water Hunching" brought tears to my eyes. lol I LOVE THIS FORUM!
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