I don't spear but some friends do. From all of them, I can tell you bouyancy is a good thing; Don't stick your face under a ledge to spear lionfish because if you miss you could get a face full of spines; If you backroll off a boat, point your spear tip(s) seaward. Don't get so focused on your fish (following your fish) that you forget who is in the area. Most I know, started with a Hawaiian sling.