FIRST TIMER

[PSU4LIFE]

I am just about to get started spearfishing. I live in South Florida and have never dove before, I am co-ordinated and athletic, yet I am a rookie. If anyone might advise me, unsure weather I shoud get PADI certified and buy all the gear or go with a Third Lung? I am going to dive mainly and almost exclusively for spearfishing. I don't suppose it would be much deeper than 20-50 ft. I do not own a boat. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU.

 

[Rock Shooter]

Hey mate,
Welcome to the diving/spearfishing community! Good to meet ya.
I have never done any spearfishing in Florida, or anywhere in America.
However I can offer a few tips:
-Take it slow, rushing into this great sport and attempting things that aren't quite your level yet can get you killed. For example, diving down to depths that you aren't ready for can cause a blackout.
-Find a buddy, I recommend that you try and find a buddy straight away. Join a dive club or convince some friends to come along with you. Dive within their levels as well. I can think of nothing worse than being a buddy and watching your friend blackout deeper than you can dive, and having to explain it to their family.
-Don't get caught in the gear hype..... too much! Too many divers go diving dressed up like a Christmas tree, unnecessary items can cause drag and can ruin your dive.
-No piece of gear or fish is worth your life,pretty self-explanatory. If you're deep don't hesitate to drop your weight belt. If you get a big fish, don't be afraid to cut your float line as a last ditch effort to survive.
-Have fun!
Hope these small tips help,
Rock Shooter

 

[PSU4LIFE]

Hey mate,
Welcome to the diving/spearfishing community! Good to meet ya.
I have never done any spearfishing in Florida, or anywhere in America.
However I can offer a few tips:
-Take it slow, rushing into this great sport and attempting things that aren't quite your level yet can get you killed. For example, diving down to depths that you aren't ready for can cause a blackout.
-Find a buddy, I recommend that you try and find a buddy straight away. Join a dive club or convince some friends to come along with you. Dive within their levels as well. I can think of nothing worse than being a buddy and watching your friend blackout deeper than you can dive, and having to explain it to their family.
-Don't get caught in the gear hype..... too much! Too many divers go diving dressed up like a Christmas tree, unnecessary items can cause drag and can ruin your dive.
-No piece of gear or fish is worth your life,pretty self-explanatory. If you're deep don't hesitate to drop your weight belt. If you get a big fish, don't be afraid to cut your float line as a last ditch effort to survive.
-Have fun!
Hope these small tips help,
Rock Shooter

Thank You RS. I appreciate the help and good advise. Still a ways off till I get everything together to be able to spearfish. One step at a time, Thx again!

 

[Mr. X]

Most spearfishers don't use SCUBA gear, it is far more more common to freedive, with a snorkel, wetsuit, longfins, etc.
It is quieter, simpler and should be a lot cheaper (depending on your gear choices, you can make anything expensive though).