Spearfishing Wetsuit vs Loading Pad

[MrChen]

I got to try my cutting board chest plate yesterday and it didn't go well. Water temps were mid 80s and I was wearing a long sleeve dive shirt. The plate is definitely capable, but my problem was the butt end of my gun would slide as I was pulling the bands. When it slid, it slid off the board and into my chest or abdomen area. I now have bruises all over. I did get it to load once and not slide, but it was very challenging. The surface needs to hold the butt of the gun in place with enough traction to prevent slipping.

 

[johndiver999]

LOL, perhaps a piece of rubber backed carpet suspended from a cross chest strap???? Never tried that, but I bet is would work - even if you are silly enough to use a gun without a decent loading butt.

 

[Akirsch]

I load from the chest with a 56".

I bought a small delrin cutting board at the tackle shop for seven bucks for cutting bait that measures about 8x10 inches and about 1/4 inch thick (came with a free chinese filet knife). I drilled a hole in each corner, heated it with the heat gun to bend it to chest-shape, and put a cord on it to hang it around my neck like a necklace under my wetsuit at the right spot.

No more bruised chest from struggling to load 5/8 bands on a magnum gun.

Are you doing this with an open cell suit?