.

What is wrong with it?

huh?...what???:confused:

I don't like the idea of having the gun tied to me while actually hunting. But as that notion goes, this rig looks like something you could get out of easily, even if being dragged by a large fish. Squeeze the buckle & it's gone.

I prefer my arm to go through the band after shooting, but it has a quick release. I've actually never seen that type of arm strap before.

That piece of equipment looks like a really bad idea.

I didn't think I was going to continue posting in this thread because I thought it would be obvious to everybody the reason why it's dangerous, but I was wrong.

It's hard to talk to someone when you don't know their experience level. I'm assuming you shot big fish or have some idea from reading or descriptions what it can be like. This strap is marketed to freedivers. If ANYTHING goes not completely as planned in 60' of water you're FUCKED with a fish of 30lb and up of which we have a lot here. Especially if you're at the end of your breath hold and that's when you usually shoot a fish. VERY few people will have the dexterity left in such a situation to operate any quick release buckle. Never mind strong pelagics..

No, I've never used such a contraption and I never will.

No, I've never used such a contraption and I never will.

Which is why we live in a capitalistic society. Don't buy one then. Maybe the manufacturer will explain why some people may choose to use such a product. I could see someone possibly using that piece of equipment when they were using a floatline system (spear is attached to floatline, gun is not).

Which is why we live in a capitalistic society. Don't buy one then. Maybe the manufacturer will explain why some people may choose to use such a product. I could see someone possibly using that piece of equipment when they were using a floatline system (spear is attached to floatline, gun is not).Don't worry I won't. In a breakaway system a strong fish pulling on the float line can entangle the float line with the gun and strap line which is connected to YOU if you drop the gun, which is what the strap is implying that you'll do.

Same breakaway system can wrap around your neck if you're that dumb or that unlucky enough right? I mean we could go on and on about all the things that COULD go wrong with practically ANY piece of spearfishing equipment.

I think the Euros meant for that to be used when shooting dentex and the like - small reef fish that you can rush in and grab as they are flopping around futilely fighting the weight of the shaft.

This strap is being maketed in the US. If you're in the water with that gun shooting 3-10lb snapper and you see a 40lb grouper you're not going to shoot it?

Nsearch, we all know that accidents only happen to dumb unlucky shmucks, but thanks for reminding.

I can see that it wouldn't be recommended for lineshafting, but what would be the problem with a freeshaft setup?

Even if it's intended for small fish , sometimes you shoot and the shaft gets stuck in the rocks, not a good thing.

Thank you my friend.It's a pipe gun, people don't use those for freeshafting, the gun is marketed to freedivers.

well that means there is a open market for west coast freeshafters. you can start selling them or giving them away free with the purchase of a pair of fin blades or 4 ppds:)

Even if it's intended for small fish , sometimes you shoot and the shaft gets stuck in the rocks, not a good thing.Thank you my friend.I can see that it wouldn't be recommended for lineshafting, but what would be the problem with a freeshaft setup?This strap is marketed alongside a speargun, it's a pipe gun, people don't use those for freeshafting. The gun is marketed to freedivers, by default so is the strap.

I'm out of this thread.

It looks to me like its marketed specifically towards breakaway and reel setups. So I dont see the problem, beside if something does go wrong and you cant release the buckle, dont you dive with a knife? Looks like it would be pretty easy to cut that rubber strap.

http://www.bluewaterbrothers.com/armstraps.html

My thoughts too. Your not shooting 100lb AJs with that POS.

People , sorry to say this, I usually keep myself from saying what I think but in this case I'm just gonna do it.
You guys , with all do respect , talk like you only do virtual spearfishing. In real life that piece of equipment is dangerous regardles of what size fish you shoot or if you carry knife or not. I like to carry as little stuff hanging from me as possible, I leaned that after lots of years spearing . My opinion is that it's not safe to tie the gun to you or carry anything that could tangle yourself to it. It happened to me once fishing alone and almost did'nt make it. So if anybody here think that thing is safe , get yourself one and find out how practical or safe it is . Me , no thanks.

I have this quick release armband. I have personally used it for a while. I specifically made sure this was one of the products we brought into the U.S. because it has several nice (and safe) applications.

One point I do agree- we should not take the possible dangers of any product and our sport lightly... I am convinced any gear improperly used in open water combined with big fish (20lbs +) can be deadly.

If you are misusing any piece of gear for the wrong type of hunting or targeting fish bigger than your gear is designed for, you put yourself in very real danger. For example a gun rigged with a shooting line (no reel or float line) can be extremely risky if you are hunting water deeper than your line and targeting fish even as small as 20lbs. Entanglement is a risk from not only our shooting line, reel line and float line, but also mono, kelp, and structure.

We have used these arm bands freeshafting scuba and also quite a bit freediving during crab and lobster season (6'-18' fsw) the past two years and it was really a great device for two things. One, the leash allowed me to tow a gun while maneuvering a bug board. I found this particularly helpful off Marquesas Keys when a 9 ft. hammerhead did a u-turn and began to make a bee-line for me on the sled. My spotter warned me and I was able to drop off the sled and grab my gun to fend off the shark. Second, it is really nice to keep a gun handy while lobstering with both hands, using a camera, stone-crabbing, or knowing you always have a shark/gg prod handy.

Are you going to use this hunting tuna or 100lb AJs in deep water? I hope not. You probably wouldn't want a reel with 100' of line either. The real issue is experience, preparedness and respect for fish that don't have to get very big to pose a risk. To me the real danger is promoting this macho expectation to newer spearos that spearing is only deep water and trophy fish.

People , sorry to say this, I usually keep myself from saying what I think but in this case I'm just gonna do it.
You guys , with all do respect , talk like you only do virtual spearfishing. In real life that piece of equipment is dangerous regardles of what size fish you shoot or if you carry knife or not. I like to carry as little stuff hanging from me as possible, I leaned that after lots of years spearing . My opinion is that it's not safe to tie the gun to you or carry anything that could tangle yourself to it. It happened to me once fishing alone and almost did'nt make it. So if anybody here think that thing is safe , get yourself one and find out how practical or safe it is . Me , no thanks.

I probably wouldn't recommend fishing alone either.

This product would be ideal with a breakaway gun. I don't think I'd feel safe with a reel and freediving though. This product defitely wasn't designed with 100 # + Tuna in mind though.

I probably wouldn't recommend fishing alone either.

I know how dangerous it could be to spearfish alone , Ive done it a whole lot , and had accidents, and that's why I take a lot of precausions when so , and I don't recomend it eather. Still, that's for another thread.
When I talk , I refer to freedive spearing , not scubaspearing. Scubaspearing is something I've never done, and even though I imagin how the whole thing is , I wouldn't dare advice anything to anyone about it. So , you are probably 100% right about that strap for scubaspearing 'cause you are probably an expert in that , but freedive .... no thanks.....again. With all do respect.

Everyone calm down and be civil, if their are questions about the product than discuss those points. If it gets out of hand the thread will be locked. Thanks,

I see what the guys are saying, however the strap is optional and not a requirement. I use a reel or float lines when freediving, they too are as dangerous as anything else. Besides, I don't spearfish to be safe, if it were safe everyone would be doing it.

Have you ever seen the reel you attatch to your belt? Just think, a 100lb tuna of any species and its a free water ski ride :D And I know exactly how that is and I have been in that situation before except the reel was on the gun.

I can definitely see how it could be a BIG problem in certain situations and also be helpful in others. The key is being smart enough to not kill your self.:slap:

I think Pargo has a valid opinion, but I think others might find it useful as well. There is tons of gear I would never use, but obviously some people use it because it still sells. As far as dangerous, I think page one of any scuba equipment, certification, or waiver says "scuba is inherently dangerous". I don't think I'd use it, because I haven't lost a gun (line shafting on scuba). However, there are times that I want to use both hands and not lose my gun, which is why I keep a brass clip on the handle so I can attach it to my BC.

Pargo,
I edited my first post. If I misjudged your intentions please forgive me. I will assume your concern is for the safety of fellow spearos and not any other agenda, and if so I am 100% behind that.

I talked to my website guys and they are adding a safety warning regarding entanglement to this item as well as any other terminal tackle (reels, floatlines and bungees).

Entanglement is definitely the biggest concern for me as a predominately freediving spearo. I have seen enough floatlines, reel lines and shooting line get hung up deep (on a fin, a snorkel or structure) that I think this should be discussed. Believe me it is a little easier to reach across to your bicep and unclip this leash (I take no credit for inventing this quick release clip), than untie a tangled floatline.
One thing I do disagree is freediving alone, especially for big fish. I think an experienced spearo can be just as effective in pairs and prevent any accidents from gear or any number of potential factors.
I do appreciate all the feedback from you guys even if it is not what I want to hear.

Thanks Bill, I appreciate it.

Dan

I didn't think I was going to continue posting in this thread because I thought it would be obvious to everybody the reason why it's dangerous, but I was wrong.

It's hard to talk to someone when you don't know their experience level. I'm assuming you shot big fish or have some idea from reading or descriptions what it can be like. This strap is marketed to freedivers. If ANYTHING goes not completely as planned in 60' of water you're FUCKED with a fish of 30lb and up of which we have a lot here. Especially if you're at the end of your breath hold and that's when you usually shoot a fish. VERY few people will have the dexterity left in such a situation to operate any quick release buckle. Never mind strong pelagics..

No, I've never used such a contraption and I never will.

I agree 100% :toast:

It is not uncommon in my neck of the woods to attach the speargun to yourself in some way. The guys that use riding rigs do this routinely. I don't personally do this ,but it is done quite frequently around AL,LA, and MS. I do wish that I had one of those a few weeks ago. I was down in South FL for mini season and decided to try some free shafting. I thought that my gun would not float with a kill spike and a PPD attached. I was wrong. Lost the gun while stringing my first Hog. Damn that fish is tasty. Almost as good as our endangered Red Snapper
:toast:

I prefer my arm to go through the band after shooting, but it has a quick release. I've actually never seen that type of arm strap before.

i think this should only be used if you cant fit your arm thru your band.. like im not the biggest guy in the world and i have a 38 special JBL and my arm wont fit thru the band so im almost forced to attach my gun to me some how so i dont lose the gun while trying to retrieve my fish.. i might look into something like this or try a make something just like it that is safe enough to use as well

plus i dont know if any of you guys have ever played college or pro ball where someone else does your laundry.. but this thing just looks like a glorified laundry loop with cool blue camo.. ill save my money and use the one i got at the house it should work fine:)