Spearsafe is an initiative dedicated to improving safety for Australian spearfishers by fostering a unified approach to risk assessment and awareness. Our goal is to highlight critical safety concerns in spearfishing and breath-hold activities while promoting best practices that can help prevent accidents and fatalities.
Breath-hold activities such as snorkeling, spearfishing, collecting, and freediving all come with inherent risks. While some snorkelers remain at the surface, others engage in brief dives requiring breath-hold techniques. Spearfishing, in particular, combines underwater hunting with breath-hold exercise, where the excitement of the hunt can sometimes push divers beyond their limits.
Although spearfishing is an exhilarating and rewarding sport, it carries significant risks. Over the past year, we have tragically lost members of our community to blackouts both in open water and swimming pools. Additionally, serious injuries have occurred due to boat strikes, shark encounters, and accidental spear-related incidents.
Global and Australian data on spearfishing incidents remain limited, but available statistics indicate a concerning rise in fatalities, often linked to health issues, blackouts, and boat strikes. While global figures showed a decline in spearfishing-related fatalities between 2004 and 2006, increasing participation in the sport suggests that safety awareness is now more critical than ever.
Spearsafe aims to address these risks through education, training, and advocacy—ensuring that every spearfisher can enjoy the sport safely and responsibly.
SPEARSAFE CONTENTS
Australian Underwater Federation - Spearfishing 