Spearfishing 'A' Workshop The Spearfishing A Workshop course is designed to give spearfishers a basic knowledge of the aspects of spearfishing. During this course we discuss the basic and elemental aspects of breath hold spearfishing. This workshop concentrates on equipping students with the basic elements of breath hold spearfishing to enable them to spearfish effectively and train in a safe and proper way as well as understanding the ethics, and code of conduct required for responsible spearfishing as upheld by all responsible spearfishers. We discuss the development of the sport from its beginnings, and the different types of spearfishing that is available to the hunter - Rock hopping and white water spearfishing; boat diving, sand line/weed edge hunting, boulder and cave diving, open (blue) water fishing and competition spearfishing. At the end of the course the student will become familiar with the following skills: Theory and knowledge of spearfishing; safety rules and procedures of rescuing; dive and training plans; diving and equalising techniques, solving expected/unexpected problems, avoiding risk of injuries. Key Standards: To enrol in the A workshop applicants must Be 18 years and over (or 13+ with a written letter of approval from parents) Be able to swim and sustain themselves in the water (with and without fins) Be healthy Spearfishing A Workshop 2 - 4 theory sessions (2 - 4hours a day) 2 open water dives 1 static session (wet) Max students per instructor: Theory (8), Practical (4) Day 1 Guideline Theory: Introduction Safety Physiology Breathing Practical: Pool Session Static Theory: Spearfishing Equipment Fish and Threatened species ID History of the sport in Australia Hunting Skills Practical: Pool Session Vertical Equalisation Day 2 Guideline Theory: Meet at the Dive Venue Review Day 1 Discuss Dive Plan for first Practical Session Practical: Dive the line - working on equalisation, duck dive, streamlining, improving depth, finning technique Safety - emergency responses Theory: Discuss Dive Plan for second Practical Session Practical: Diving with a speargun Hunting techniques on selected fish Catch Dinner Theory: Discuss the events over the two days Draw up a breath hold training programme for the individual Course Outline The subjects covered in the course Breathing techniques - Breathing, Hyper, and proper ventilations Breathing as a preparation for a dive or static breathhold 10 basic safety rules of freediving Effects of the water environment on the diver - depth, pressure, altered sense perception Physiology of freediving - Air spaces, Breathing, cardio vascular/respiratory system Equalizing techniques - Valsalva (mentioning of Frenzel) Technique - duck dive, leg work, formations and hands use Improving breathhold Basics of freediving emergencies (emphasis on SWB and samba) and the proper response Equipment for spear fishing How to use equipment for spearfishing Fish identification Hunting techniques for different fish species Protected species identification Sharks - the myths unravelled Outline of the history of spearfishing in Australia Diving efficiently with a speargun Catch Dinner!