Everyone I know that started diving in the 60's and early 70's took spearguns on their first dive, and on every dive for quite a while. The reason to dive was to hunt.
It wasn't a disaster.
Nobody shot anybody.
- But -
We were all skilled hunters schooled in weapons safety from pre-school days.
We had all been "spearing" with gigs & poles for years.
In answer to the question then, if the teen's a good hunter with rock solid weapons safety sense, great.
If he isn't absolutely safe and comfortable around weapons, teach him that first.
Diving skills are needed, true, but weapons safety trumps all else.
Rick
It wasn't a disaster.
Nobody shot anybody.
- But -
We were all skilled hunters schooled in weapons safety from pre-school days.
We had all been "spearing" with gigs & poles for years.
In answer to the question then, if the teen's a good hunter with rock solid weapons safety sense, great.
If he isn't absolutely safe and comfortable around weapons, teach him that first.
Diving skills are needed, true, but weapons safety trumps all else.
Rick