Chest Plate for Diving in Shallow Water

[KindCorals]

Im just wondering if anyone uses a chest plate (or if they even exist) to protect against sting ray impalement. I will be moving soon to an area that allows recreational collection of anemones and such but there are also rays in the sandy areas where the anemones live. I know its very rare to be impaled by them but Im just wondering what you guys do for protection.

[billsreef]

I don't harass them So far that has worked for me in nearly 30 years of diving

[KindCorals]

Hey Bill, I don't plan on intentionally harassing them but I've heard they can be nearly invisible under the sand. I'm just worried if I see something of interest, go in for a closer look and there happens to be a ray hiding in the sand there. I know it's a long shot to die from this but still..

[billsreef]

IME they are more likely to simply move away if you approach them in that manner. Keep in mind, the unlikely event that you are thinking of occurred with someone that was directly swimming over the stingray for some distance in shallow water. So don't go following them around like he did

[scoupland]

The rays I see generally take off if I get near them. Or course, if I see them first, I go the other way too.

[liverock]

Originally Posted by billsreef

IME they are more likely to simply move away if you approach them in that manner. Keep in mind, the unlikely event that you are thinking of occurred with someone that was directly swimming over the stingray for some distance in shallow water. So don't go following them around like he did

And rays that are in the sand...will always have their eyes above the sand....easy to spot...on my aquaculture site I always have common florida rays that are in excess of three feet in diameter.....they always scoot, as I get close....not an isssue...

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

[billsreef]

Quite true. I've almost always spotted the eyes before the ray moved. The ones I've noticed because they are moving have also always been the ones at a distance that just happen to be on the move.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by billsreef

I don't harass them So far that has worked for me in nearly 30 years of diving

Likewise. The only incident I am aware of was when the person impaled was doing things that were threatening to the rays.

[r-balljunkie]

I usually carry a dive knife, especially on night dives. if I see a shark or a ray, i stab my wife in the leg, and swim in the opposite direction as fast as i can. This increases my odds.

C

[billsreef]

Originally Posted by r-balljunkie

I usually carry a dive knife, especially on night dives. if I see a shark or a ray, i stab my wife in the leg, and swim in the opposite direction as fast as i can. This increases my odds.

C

Sounds like you've been listening to some of the dive briefings I give the OW classes I've been working with

[sfmacguy]

Originally Posted by r-balljunkie

I usually carry a dive knife, especially on night dives. if I see a shark or a ray, i stab my wife in the leg, and swim in the opposite direction as fast as i can. This increases my odds.

C

Best advice ever. Just make sure, if she's more athletic then you, that you do enough damage to be able to outswim her. Don't want to be behind her in a blood trail splashing about.