Diving & Spearfishing Glossary
New to diving or spearfishing? Here's a plain-English guide to the terms you'll hear around Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. We've been helping FNQ divers for 25+ years, so if something's not here, pop into our Westcourt store, Cairns and ask the team.
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Spearfishing Terms | Freediving Terms | Scuba Terms | Gear Terms | Local & GBR Terms
Spearfishing Terms
Spearo
Slang for spearfisherman. If you're reading this, you're probably a spearo or
about to become one. Welcome to the club.
Speargun
The tool that fires a shaft to catch fish. Comes in different styles including rail guns, roller guns, and pneumatic guns.
Choosing the right one depends on what you're hunting and where.
Rail Gun
A speargun with a track (rail) that guides the shaft for better accuracy. Popular
for reef hunting. Check out our speargun
range.
Roller Gun
A speargun that uses a roller system to increase power without adding length. Good
for bluewater hunting where you need more punch. We stock several roller options.
Pneumatic Speargun
Uses compressed air instead of rubber bands. Quieter and compact, but needs more
maintenance. Not as common in Australia but we can help if you're interested.
Shaft
The metal spear that fires from your gun. Comes in different lengths and tip
styles. Replacement shafts are available when
yours gets bent or damaged.
Slip Tip
A detachable spear tip that stays in the fish when it pulls away. Essential for
bigger fish that would rip off a fixed tip.
Rubbers
The elastic bands that power your speargun. They wear out over time and need regular replacement. We do this in-store.
Float Line
A line connecting your speargun to a dive float. Keeps your gun
from sinking if you drop it, and marks your position for boats.
Dive Float
A buoy that floats on the surface while you dive. Holds your catch bag, marks your
location, and carries your dive flag.
Dive Flag
Red and white flag that tells boats there's a diver below. Required by law in
Queensland. Don't dive without one.
Flasher
A shiny lure you lower into the water to attract curious fish. Flashers work well for pelagics like mackerel and
tuna.
Burley (Berley)
Ground-up fish or scraps used to attract fish to your area. Aussie spelling is
"berley" but you'll hear both.
Bluewater Hunting
Spearfishing in open water, usually targeting pelagic fish like mackerel, tuna,
and wahoo. Requires more experience and different gear than reef hunting.
Reef Hunting
Spearfishing around coral reefs, targeting species like coral trout, sweetlip, and
cray. Most Cairns spearos start here.
Cray
Short for crayfish (lobster). A popular target for FNQ spearos. No speargun
needed, just gloves and a catch bag.
Freediving Terms
Freediving
Diving on a single breath without scuba gear. The foundation of spearfishing. We
stock freediving fins, wetsuits, and low-volume masks designed for breath-hold
diving.
Apnea
The technical term for breath-hold diving. Comes from Greek meaning "without
breathing."
Static Apnea
Holding your breath while floating motionless. Used for training breath-hold
times. Not as exciting as it sounds.
Dynamic Apnea
Swimming underwater on a single breath. Good training for spearfishing where you
need to cover distance.
Bottom Time
How long you can stay at depth on one breath. Improves with training and proper
technique.
Freefall
The phase of a freedive where you stop finning and sink naturally. Happens once
you're deep enough that your body becomes negatively buoyant. Conserves energy and
oxygen.
Equalization
The technique of balancing pressure in your ears and sinuses as you descend. If
you can't equalize, you can't dive deep. Most people learn the Valsalva method
first.
Mouthfill
An advanced equalization technique for deeper freediving. You fill your mouth with
air at the surface and use it to equalize at depth.
Mammalian Dive Reflex
Your body's automatic response to submersion. Heart rate slows, blood shifts to
vital organs. Humans have it, seals have it better. Cold water on your face
triggers it.
Shallow Water Blackout
Loss of consciousness from low oxygen, usually during ascent. Dangerous and
preventable. Never hyperventilate before diving, and always dive with a buddy.
LMC (Loss of Motor Control)
Also called "samba." Involuntary muscle contractions from low oxygen. A warning
sign before blackout. If your buddy shows signs, support their airway
immediately.
Surface Interval
Rest time between dives. Essential for recovery. Rule of thumb: rest at the
surface for at least twice as long as your dive.
Scuba Terms
Scuba
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Lets you breathe underwater using a
tank. We stock full scuba gear at our Cairns
store.
BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
A vest that holds your tank and lets you control buoyancy by adding or releasing
air. Also called a "jacket" or "wing." Browse our BCD
range.
Regulator
The device that delivers air from your tank at the right pressure for breathing.
Has a first stage (on the tank) and second stage (in your mouth). See our regulators.
Dive Computer
Wrist-mounted or console device that tracks depth, time, and calculates safe
ascent rates. Essential for avoiding decompression sickness. Check out our dive computers.
Air Integrated
A dive computer that connects to your tank and shows remaining air. One less gauge
to check.
NDL (No Decompression Limit)
The maximum time you can stay at a given depth without needing decompression
stops. Your dive computer calculates this for you.
Safety Stop
A 3-5 minute pause at 5 metres during ascent. Not always mandatory but good
practice for off-gassing nitrogen.
Decompression (Deco)
Required stops during ascent when you've exceeded NDL. Recreational divers avoid
deco diving. Technical divers plan for it.
Nitrox
Air with extra oxygen (usually 32-36% vs normal 21%). Extends bottom time and
reduces nitrogen absorption. Requires certification.
DIN vs Yoke
Two types of regulator-to-tank connections. Yoke is common in Australia. DIN
screws in and handles higher pressures.
Gear Terms
Wetsuit
Neoprene suit that keeps you warm by trapping a thin layer of water against your
skin. Thickness ranges from 1mm to 7mm+. For Cairns, most spearos use 2-3mm.
Browse our wetsuits.
Stinger Suit
Lightweight lycra suit that protects against jellyfish stings. Essential for stinger season in FNQ. See our stinger suits.
Open-Cell Wetsuit
Wetsuit with raw neoprene inside that grips your skin. Warmer and more flexible
but harder to put on. Serious spearos prefer these.
Closed-Cell Wetsuit
Wetsuit with lined neoprene inside. Easier to put on, more durable, slightly less
warm. Good for beginners and frequent use.
Camo Wetsuit
Wetsuit with camouflage pattern. Helps you blend into reef environments. Whether
fish actually care is debatable, but spearos love them.
Low-Volume Mask
A mask with minimal air space. Easier to
equalize and clear. Preferred for freediving and spearfishing.
Long-Blade Fins
Freediving fins with extended blades for
efficient propulsion. More power per kick, less effort. Essential for serious
spearfishing.
Foot Pocket
The part of a fin that holds your foot. Quality foot pockets make a big difference
in comfort and power transfer.
Weight Belt
Belt with lead weights to help you sink. Amount needed depends on your body
composition and wetsuit thickness.
Catch Bag
Mesh bag for holding your fish. Attaches to your float or weight belt. Get one
that's big enough for a good day.
Dive Knife
For cutting line, dispatching fish, and emergencies. Not for fighting sharks
(despite what movies show). See our knives.
Dive Torch
Underwater flashlight. Useful for looking in caves and crevices, and essential for
night diving.
Local & GBR Terms
GBR
Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest coral reef system, stretching 2,300km
along Queensland's coast. Our backyard. Ocean Universal has been
outfitting GBR divers for 25+ years.
FNQ
Far North Queensland. The region from Cairns northward. Home to some of the best
diving in Australia.
Inner Reef
Reefs closer to shore, usually within 30km of the coast. Accessible for day trips.
Good for beginners and when weather's rough.
Outer Reef
Reefs further offshore, typically 50-80km out. Clearer water, bigger fish, more
dramatic walls. Worth the longer boat ride.
Ribbon Reefs
A chain of 10 reefs north of Cairns, known for pristine conditions and big fish.
Popular with liveaboard trips. Serious spearfishing territory.
Coral Trout
The most prized eating fish on the GBR. Red with blue spots. Lives around coral.
Every spearo's favourite target.
Spanish Mackerel
Fast pelagic fish found in open water. Great eating, challenging to hunt. Requires
bluewater gear and technique.
Sweetlip
Reef fish with thick lips. Good eating. Often found around bommies and
structure.
Bommie
An isolated coral outcrop or small reef. Fish congregate around them. Good hunting
spots.
Stinger Season
November to May when box jellyfish and irukandji are present in FNQ waters. Wear a
stinger suit. Don't risk it.
Minke Whale Season
June-July when dwarf minke whales visit the Ribbon Reefs. You can snorkel with
them. Bucket list stuff.
Coral Spawning
Annual event (usually November) when corals release eggs and sperm simultaneously.
Visibility drops but it's incredible to witness.
The Passage
Channel between the mainland and offshore islands. Often has current, which brings
fish.
Green Zone
Marine park areas where fishing and spearfishing are prohibited. Check your zoning
maps before you dive. Fines are hefty.
Yellow Zone
Conservation park zones. Limited fishing allowed, no spearfishing. Again, check
your maps.
Blue Zone
General use zones. Recreational fishing and spearfishing permitted within size and
bag limits.
Still Got Questions?
This glossary covers the basics, but diving has endless terminology. If you're unsure about something, come chat with us. We're at Shop 1/310 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt or call (07) 4036 2080.
Browse our gear: Spearguns | Wetsuits | Fins | Masks | Scuba | All Spearfishing