Why a safety checklist matters in St. George waters
Spearfishing around St. George can be incredibly rewarding, but conditions can change fast. Even if you’re diving familiar spots, small oversights—like a missing flag, a tired buddy, or an unexpected current line—can turn a good day into a risky one. A consistent pre-dive checklist keeps you from relying on memory and makes safety a habit, not an afterthought.
This guide is written for St. George Spearfishing Club members and visitors using stgeorgespearfishingclub.com tips and guides. It’s not meant to slow you down; it’s meant to get you in the water with fewer surprises and a better plan.
1) Plan the dive like you expect conditions to change
Start with a simple plan you can explain in one minute: where you’re going, how you’ll enter and exit, and what you’ll do if conditions shift. Check the marine forecast, swell direction, and wind—not just the numbers, but what they mean at your specific launch. A mild swell can wrap differently around headlands, and wind can make a calm surface deceptive if it’s pushing you away from shore.
Decide on a time limit and a turnaround point. If you’re shore diving, define an “energy budget”: how much effort you’re willing to spend on the swim out so you still have plenty left for the swim back.
2) Buddy system essentials (and the parts people skip)
A buddy isn’t just someone who’s nearby. Before you gear up, agree on:
- Roles: who leads, who follows, and when you switch.
- Drop rhythm: one up, one down. Avoid simultaneous dives.
- Max depth and bottom time limits that fit the less experienced diver.
- Lost buddy procedure: how long to search, where to regroup, and when to exit.
Do a quick “readiness check.” If someone is cold, anxious, under-slept, or nursing an ear/sinus issue, adjust the plan. Most preventable incidents start with ignoring early signals.
3) Gear checks that prevent the most common failures
Before you enter, do a systematic check from head to toe and then gun to float line.
Mask and snorkel: confirm the strap is solid, skirt is seated, and snorkel is secured. Clear the mask and test a couple of breaths.
Wetsuit and weights: make sure your weight belt releases cleanly with either hand. Keep the buckle oriented for a quick ditch. If you use a vest or harness, confirm it can be removed easily.
Fins: check for cracks or loose foot pockets. A fin failure far from shore becomes a serious problem quickly.
Knife or cutter: it must be accessible with one hand. Many divers carry one on the leg and a small line cutter on the belt.
Speargun: inspect the bands for nicks, wishbones for wear, and the line for abrasions. Confirm the safety engages and disengages smoothly. Test the trigger only when unloaded and pointed in a safe direction.
Keep the buckle oriented for a quick ditch.
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Float system: your float and float line are not optional in many areas and they are one of your best safety tools. Check clips, swivels, knots, and attachment points. If you use a reel, confirm it runs smoothly and you have a plan for managing tangles.
4) Visibility, boats, and dive flag discipline
Boat traffic is one of the most underappreciated hazards. Even when you think you’re far from lanes, a small craft can cut close to shore. Always tow a highly visible float with a flag where required, and stay close enough to it that it actually protects you. If current or surge is pulling your float behind structure, reposition before continuing.
If you hear engines or see wakes, assume the operator may not see you. Rise slowly, keep your snorkel down if needed, and surface near your float.
5) Managing current, surge, and “easy-to-miss” fatigue
St. George conditions can include subtle lateral current along points and more pronounced movement near channels. Do a quick current test at the start: watch kelp, bubbles, or a small piece of seaweed. If you’re drifting faster than expected, shorten your route.
Surge is often strongest where the fish can be best. Avoid pushing into tight caves or under ledges when surge is cycling. If you want to investigate structure, approach from the side with an exit route and keep your gun and line from snagging.
Fatigue sneaks up. Cold water, repetitive dives, and towing a float add up. If you find your recovery breathing taking longer, your fin kicks getting shorter, or your focus slipping, it’s time to reset or end the session.
6) Shallow water blackout and safe breath-hold habits
Even experienced divers can be caught by shallow water blackout. Make these rules non-negotiable:
- No hyperventilating. One or two calming breaths is fine; prolonged rapid breathing is not.
- One diver down, one diver up, with active surface watching.
- Surface with time to spare, not “to the limit.”
- Practice recovery breathing at the surface after each dive.
If a buddy looks “off,” intervene early. A calm, assertive safety culture is a strength, not an inconvenience.
7) A simple exit plan and first aid readiness
Before entering, identify your primary and backup exit points. Consider what happens if the swell builds or a fin strap breaks. Keep footwear available if the shoreline is rocky.
Carry a basic kit in the car or on the boat: bandages, antiseptic, pressure wrap for punctures, a thermal layer, and drinking water. Know local emergency numbers and the fastest route to help. If you can, get training in CPR and freediving rescue techniques—skills that matter most when seconds count.
Make the checklist your routine
A checklist isn’t about being nervous; it’s about being consistent. If you run through these steps before every dive, you’ll catch small issues early, make better decisions mid-session, and build trust with your dive partners. That’s the foundation for safer, more enjoyable spearfishing around St. George—and it’s exactly the kind of diving culture the St. George Spearfishing Club aims to promote.