This is an interesting thread.
What you are all saying makes a lot of sense, and the research and scientific angle is always appreciated. Thank you. In fact, a lot of what you guys are saying is in keeping with my understanding.
However, merely playing the devil's advocate here, the one question I had is, and I stand to be corrected on this, one of the most hardcore spearo's ever is Tommy Botha. He has one the SA nationals 9 times! In fact he has been attacked by whites twice. I am under the impression that he dives with Powerheads. The main reason, and I am not speaking on his behalf at all, so maybe we should get hold of him for his input, for this is that he has been followed back to the boat a few times and this is very intimidating. I don't know if he still does use powerheads, but he certainly used to dive with powerheads. Not only this, but I would argue, that the vast majority of experienced spearo's in the Cape dive with Powerheads too.
I would go further, and say not only are whites following divers back to their boats well recorded behavior, but the notion of being circled by a shark is even more likely when dealing with Tigers. They have been known to often cirlce around, and then attack, having been seen well in advance of any problems, and seemingly been rather docile, and having been known that they have been seen.
So the counter argument is this, the scientists are saying one thing, but it seems to be me that perhaps the most experienced diver, who is super hard core by any measure, and the guys with the most experience seems to be saying another thing.
How does one reconcile these two views ? i don't have the answers, and are not arguing one side over the other because your diving is your business, but when there is a large shark about, I prefer to put a powerhead on, and call for the boat. And if there is no boat, I am even more pleased to have the powerhead.
Can any of you guys from the Cape Chime in and tell us how many of the local guys use powerheads? Perhaps my info is incorrect ... wouldn't be the first time either.
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