Power Heads

[monant]

I'm interested in the experiences of others who have used power heads. I'm looking for the good, the bad, types of heads, calibers, tips for use, etc.

[Crimediver]

What kind of spearfishing do you do?

I have had some from .38 to centerfire rifle PH. I currently carry a .223 for protection purposes.

The largest I have used was an Australian .303 that would really ring your bell when it was fired. The .223 is a very serious PH. I prefer the .223 as I can obtain that round in blank cartridges easily as it is used for training by military & police on a widescale basis. It is also a very devastating round and does considerably more damage than even a 12 ga. round.

I use fingernail polish on the tip and the primer.

Some divers hunt with them but I do not. I usually keep mine on my gun on a spare shaft that is clamped on to the stock. It is more like a power head bayonet. I could fire it but it would take a minute. Some experienced divers question how effective a powerhead would be as most shark attacks are ambush murders, so to speak and you may never see one in time to deploy it. I like having it just in case. I believe in the philosophy that it is better to have it and not need it than to wish I had one.

[monant]

I have been considering one only for protection. Since I began diving with my wife and son I have become more aware than before they learned to dive. We have seen sharks but I still don’t believe we will ever be attacked. My view is like yours, it is better to have it and not need it than to wish I had one. I may have done some chest thumping when I was younger but my family deserves better and I have nothing to prove.

[monant]

Anyone Anyone

[Splitlip]

Where are you diving?

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by monant

I have been considering one only for protection. My view is like yours, it is better to have it and not need it than to wish I had one.

Out of curiosity, what do you carry for protection from a land-based animal attack?

[monant]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Out of curiosity, what do you carry for protection from a land-based animal attack?

I carry a .45 and I've only need it once. All the other times it was unnecessary weight. I also use a seatbelt and have never needed it but you will not see me or my children in a vehicle without wearing one.

[MSilvia]

What situation were you in that you had to use the .45? Do you live in mtn. lion or bear country or something? I only ask because, while I am a gun owner myself, I have the perhaps naive impression that a lot of people who carry for protection are quick to turn to the gun for resolution. Sort of a "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail" thing.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying that's you. I'm actually genuinely curious about your situation.

As for how this relates to powerheads for protection though, I personally believe that people carrying powerheads are more likely to invite problems with the sharks they're trying to protect themselves from, than are people who's best response to sharky aggression is to take defensive action. Frankly, I'd be more concerned about getting in the water with a diver carrying a powerhead than I would be about getting in the water with most kinds of shark. Unless you have a good reason to expect that your dives will put you in a dangerous situation with sharks, and you feel you need to do the dive despite that risk, I don't see where a powerhead is at all desireable. I think there are a number of "just in case" tools that have a much greater liklihood of being useful to a diver, and you can't bring everything.

Not that I'm saying you shouldn't have one... I'm just saying I wouldn't even consider it except under very unusual circumstances. Definately not as an everyday precaution.

Originally Posted by monant

I also use a seatbelt and have never needed it but you will not see me or my children in a vehicle without wearing one.

I wear a seatbelt too... not sure what that has to do with anything though.

[monant]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Where are you diving?

I dive in the Florida Gulf. What got me thinking of a power head/bank stick was an 11ft 844 pound mako caught here last year. Below is the actual fish. There are bulls here as well but everyone I know just pushes them away with a spear or gives up their speared fish. I’ve been in the water with sharks before, it's really not a big deal but since my wife and son began diving with me I reassessed my views and fully believe it's better to be prepared and effectively manage the risk.

[monant]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

I wear a seatbelt too... not sure what that has to do with anything though. I'm curious what situation you were in that you had to use the .45 though. Do you live in mtn. lion or bear country or something?

Sorry, I thought I knew where you were going with your question. I apologize. There were several animals of the two legged variety.