20mm band of death

[tuffstuff]

well i just got my 110cm rabitech apex and tried to load a 20mm band for the first time it didnt go soo well i think i popped a blood vessel in my leg lol. Is there a video showing how to load this gun or just the pics on the ra website?
thanks

[Marwan]

its all technique, with the rabi's (i have an apex 120 and a stealth 110 and am quite short guy)...what you have to do is:
1 - Grab the dynema wishbone on the band with your left hand
2 - grab the gun handle with your right hand
3 - At the same time push the handle and pull the band from wishbone (the objective is to get the butt of the gun to rest on your chest bone, while still having your left hand on the band)
4 - Release your right hand (as your chest now acts as a lever to balance the gun) and grab the band now with both hands..
5 - pull in one motion the band to rest the wishbone on the shaft notch..
aim and fire...

it takes some practice but once you do it, it gets easier with time...

[strangelove]

tuffstuff

I think the omer web site has the loading video or SUBPROF.COM | Apnea , Scuba, Snorkeling, Swimming, Nautical online Shop has it too, however if the gun is too difficult to load you may consider installing longer bands.

[tuffstuff]

thanks guys but my pride wont let me use a longer band but the 1 technique sounds good.Its not the strngth its the technique that im lacking I can hipload it but...Its not something I think is recommended

[octpora]

if it continues to give you trouble, send it to me and i'll be shure to load it regularly

where did you purchase from?

[tuffstuff]

sumora.com I can load it just not efficiently lol just gotta get used to it.

[covert]

Dont stress tuff, like my good friend Marwan said its all about technique, I promise you follow those instructions you'll load the gun perfectly by the end of your next dive. When i was new to spearing, I got those same instructions, 1 hour in the water and I had no issues loading the gun anymore. And like Marwan I'm a Rabitech fan and they are notorious to load

[deep thinker]

A killer shot needs a killer band mate
Follow Marwans instuctions and the pics on the RA site and you should manage perfectly...

[tuffstuff]

yea i loaded it once on my hip yesterday and shot it...lol it pulled the wrap and me!!!!!

[deep thinker]

On the hip, damn dude...
When in the water its easier to load, also id advise doing the chest load technique its much easier. Unless you hunt on scuba then I guess you can load it on the hip, but for freediving when loading while facing down on the surface chest load works best.

[tuffstuff]

yea lol thats why it was soo bad I popped a blood vessel in my thigh lol

[strangelove]

Here is the video btw.

http://www.subprof.es/videos/loading_technique.mpeg

[covert]

loading from the hip is 10 times more difficult than loading from the chest since the gun lacks that stability, follow the instructions its actually quite easy. Your chest may hurt a bit after the first couple of attempts but on your next dive you'll be ok. Also if you find it hurts your chest too much, get a mouse pad and stick it under your loading pad of your wetsuit.

[strangelove]

Originally Posted by covert

loading from the hip is 10 times more difficult than loading from the chest since the gun lacks that stability, follow the instructions its actually quite easy. Your chest may hurt a bit after the first couple of attempts but on your next dive you'll be ok. Also if you find it hurts your chest too much, get a mouse pad and stick it under your loading pad of your wetsuit.

I agree, hip loading only works for with wimpy bands, like the thin bands I have on my blue water gun.

[Mr. X]

I've been experiencing the joys of upgrading to 20mm rubbers on my RA railgun recently - so I'll share my learnings (search for Rob Allen or 20mm rubbers and you'll prob. find more info.). I believe Omer intructions show loading against your belt buckle -- never tried that, bit close to "the old home town" for comfort perhaps.

Main thing: make sure you've got a really good loading pad on your chest/sternum/breastbone. I supplement the one on my Elios wetsuit with the sole of fancy flip-flop (thicker & harder than those cheap rubber flip flops). Long term, it might be unnecessary but when starting out, it certainly helps - a lot.

Load using normal technique -- but do it carefully:

Grab one side of your rubber & place the handle of your speargun firmly on your loading pad. (You might find this works best if you point the gun down, optionally trapping the end of the barrel with your fins, it seems to keep help -- I got this from the RA/Len Jones* diagrams that are widely published. I started off like that & it helped, although it no longer seems necessary).

Grab the other side of your rubber. Now start to brace yourself by tensing your arms, chest, abs and shoulder muscle. Now pull both arms into your chest in one firm, controlled pull (focus as if lifting a heavy weight), until you can slip the wishbone into the notch.

Good luck

*The Len Jones spearfishing booklet shows 2 loading techniques -- the one on an extra loose page appears to be intended for those loading very long railguns. The techniques are similar though.