Spearfishing/Freediving Alone?

[Lenny]

For one if I did lose consciousness, there would still be a possiblity that i could be revived if my buddy found me. Also I am quite keen on the one up one down idea, because the one on the surface should be watching your back, (even though we are sometimes distracted). A good habit to get into is to check every 30 say secs where your buddy is. It's tedious but when you get in the habit of it it becomes second nature, and besides what would you rather say to his wife and kids: "Sorry I was really looking," or "I saw him in distress and I tried everything i possibly could"

[monchan]

Seems like a lot of us dive alone, I have no choice, small town in a country that speaks a different language and have only ever met one other spearo, who drove 3 hours from a big city for his plate of fish.

I am though blessed with shallow reefs, plentiful with fish and only 20 mins drive from my door. The thing that gives me confidence in diving alone, while not being able to control the enviroment in the water, I can decide when and when not to go in, if it looks dodgy I go home. Others though that do the miles to get to there spot are probably tempted to have a go. I promised my wife to always come home,
aside from a heart attack in the water I mean to keep that promise.

I think with good sense and judgement diving alone can be managed, as long as you remember anything can happen and will happen IF YOU LET IT.

Be safe.

[Virgili]

had written a book about it

Thank's for this interesting reference.

[Amphibious]

before any of you even think of going solo, I'd ask you read this:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/freediv...swb-story.html

[settingsteel]

Originally Posted by Amphibious

before any of you even think of going solo, I'd ask you read this:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/freediv...swb-story.html

Ah true mon

[anthropisces]

I dive alone, quite often. It has presented some dangers. This is especially true when diving from my boat in the stong currents off Palm Beach in Florida.
I live in Palm Beach County. Perhaps we'll go out together some-time.

I'm familiar with a couple of episodes of free-diving deaths. In those, the unfortunate one had a buddy who, for some reason, wasn't able to provide help. I could never advise you to dive alone though, it is a personal decision.

If you do dive alone at depths in the range of 50-70 feet, you may choose to do a few things I do.

Time every dive and stick to a max dive time. I try to keep surface to surface times at 2 minutes or less. Don't ever exceed your predetermined max dive time.

Don't ever chase fish. Not only does this scare them, but it is dangerous. If you get in the habit of chasing fish, you will begin to push your limits. Ultimately you may push them too far. Refine your skills so that you draw the fish to you or so that fish do not mind being approached by you. You can start this by giving the fish the impression that you do not notice it.

Don't ever fight a fish out of a hole in deep water on a breath-hold. In fact, don't ever struggle at depth for any reason, ever. Smoothly descend, neatly harpoon your quarrry, and pull it to the surface, from the surface.

Do what you can to keep a speared fish from diving into a hole. This seems to fly in the face of the previous comment, and in fact it does. Nothing is black and white. Do not though expend SIGNIFICANT energy at depth ever. The few times I have put myself at risk have involved fighting fish at depth.

Tie your gun to a float, if your fish runs, let it take the gun, float-line and float. You can pull the fish to the surface after it tires. Resist the temptation to fight the fish other than from the surface where you can breathe. Use a float and not a reel for these reasons.

Carry a knife and be prepared to cut your shooting line if you can't pull a fish off the bottom.

Tie a whistle to your float.

Forget about glory. Instead, become one with the water and the things I mentioned above start to come more naturally.

[jeff1]

Hi,
On the subject of spearfishing alone, I do it often. Like you I don't
have many friends who have interest to spearfish. And sometimes on
the new people I meet who do spearfish, I find it a hassle to align time
or days off to do it. Most of my dive appointments with others has ended
up in cancealations. I spearfish every week if weather conditions permit.
Being self-sufficient is very important in spearfishing alone. Taking all the
matters of safty and dangers in to consideration. Being prepared.
Should not having a dive parner stop you from doing what you desire?
That seems to be the question.
I will still spearfish alone if no parner is available. Safely of course.

[Tomy Suero]

Hello Jeff1! Thanks for your reply. Safety after all.

[Skimfish101]

Bro you're such a noob lets go spearfishing you me and mahiman can do a shore dive now that its spring break. I plan on visiting FL Freedivers store and want to do a shore dive up in palm beach. How deep is it there???? PM me cuz I'll forget I even commented here, lol!

[Tomy Suero]

I will like to, but I'm living in Puerto Rico.

Tomy.

[settingsteel]

Originally Posted by Skimfish101

Bro you're such a noob lets go spearfishing you me and mahiman can do a shore dive now that its spring break. I plan on visiting FL Freedivers store and want to do a shore dive up in palm beach. How deep is it there???? PM me cuz I'll forget I even commented here, lol!

hiya skimfish...don't know about WPB but in Hollywood, Dania Beach a shoredive is do-able, 500yds from the beach 10-20'depth...if your looking to hookup for a dive post in the Florida section, that your looking to head out with someone...that usually works for me, I'm in Miami, and often head out during the week...try never to dive solo...ain't worth the fish, my 2 centavos