The easiest and safest method IMHO (other than using the proper spring compressor) is to support the hinge end of the control arm with a jack (with the car on jack stands), remove the bolts, and lower the control arm SLOWLY from the inside. The ball joint/strut all stays intact while you're doing this. This way the spring is the least likely to let lose, because it is more of a linear decompression, and it will go into the car, instead of outward at YOU. Unbolting the strut and lowering the assembly outward will cause the spring to arc out quite a bit, and you'll be working against the control arm bushings (which only allow for a certain amount of rotation when torqued in properly). Installation is reverse of removal.
I've heard of multiple people doing the hose clamp method, and I think you guys are nuts. There are much easier, safer, and cheaper methods out there.