Yes we do teach to turn it away from you and your gear so as not to damage the gear also. But this is a valid comment. I can see this being fine with your own gear but with rental gear you do not know the history of that SPG. Yes I know the one I have given but I can not vouch for the gear they will use in other places around the world. May be next trip will be to a tiny island in a place with very old gear so we say better safe than sorry.