When I was young and in shape working FD/EMS, either method would have been just fine. Now that I'm old, fat and retired using my weight with a long handled shovel seems more appropriate. I guess that begs the question, what hurts the most (least)?... knees, back, shoulders, other? Go from there.easier to dig through rocky soil kneeling and working a short shovel rather than standing and stepping on a longer one
When I was young and in shape working FD/EMS, either method would have been just fine. Now that I'm old, fat and retired using my weight with a long handled shovel seems more appropriate. I guess that begs the question, what hurts the most (least)?... knees, back, shoulders, other? Go from there.
I have never used knee pads in my 14 years of detecting, but I haven't been down and actually on the ground on my knees but just a few times. My 31" shovel get the target out where my handheld pin pointer reads it then my find is quickly in my pouch and the plug is reinserted with my feet. No fuss, not muss and right off to the next signal!Whether in public spaces, private permissions and bushwacking, I'm geared up the same, velcro kneepads, trowel, 31-inch shovel allows me to swing in open spaces or brushy areas and if I encounter rocks can adapt as well. My buddy uses the same except he likes to bring a padded mat instead of kneepads.
The Sampson 31" is my favorite. I've owned most everything and still have most of them all. Ground Sharks were my least favs.I've got the 18" shovel just like Not Thursday and love it , its a great work out for upper body but I ordered the 36" one as well which I use most of the time for perfect plugs and the 18" is great for backpacking in the woods to sites and have a machete to bushwack through thick stuff . I also now use knee pads after kneeling on rocks and pulling other items from my knees ..my body is in bad enough shape from all my working life .