32 replies to this topic

[Cold_H2O]

I think its completely a personal decision. While I am very comfortable diver and could probably dive alone, I just don't think its something I want to do. I enjoy diving with others, so I can share the experience... talk about what we saw at the surface etc.

I will have to say DITTO. While I believe I could dive alone I just don't see the point. Also, it would depend on where I was diving. Here in the PNW, Never dive alone and choose your buddy carefully is my rule on every dive.

[Desert_Diver]

BSG, I'm like you (older, hopefully wiser, reasonably new to diving).

Twice early on, my 'buddies' upped and split on me, and never surfaced to see where in heck I was. The first time freaked me *right* out, and I blew it off and returned to the boat after fruitless hunting for bubbles. The second time, the a-hole was moving soooo fast that a torpedo couldn't have caught him. When he surfaced ~1/4 mile out, I signed OK, ME, DOWN and finished the dive solo, in the general area of the boat (for safety, and so the DM wouldn't worry overmuch). Vis was about 40', and it was marginally reasonable to do.

On Bonaire, if my N2 was low enough I'd do solo dives right off of the resort. They were all NDL, mostly 20 to 60'. I'm comfortable enough with my gear and skill that it didn't bother me, and there were always divers right there on the beach, as well as the guys in the shop that knew I was out solo. It was nearly as safe as diving in a pool, all things considered. The one time I had significant current, I aborted early (I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid).

I'd *MUCH* rather dive with a partner: it's safer, and a lot more fun. You'll see things that I miss, and vice-versa. The stress level is lower if there's someone around to help you out of a snag, and I've seen it happen twice. However, if conditions were ideal (like at Bonaire), I wouldn't hesitate to solo dive again if I didn't have a partner handy. Hell, I joined SD 'cos I haven't found anyone local that wants to go diving often enough. Most folks in Phoenix only get out once a year, if that often... and a lot of 'em just want to go down to Mexico, a rare few to California. I'm looking for FUN trips, not CHEAP trips just to get wet.

On the flip side, I've dived with folks that needed constant attention, and they should never consider diving solo. They didn't know their gear, they didn't look at their gauges or computer, no attention to where they were or what they were doing, they were just plain scary to dive with. You see their type in the incident reports all the time....

My two cents worth. Your mileage may vary.

Stan

[maninthesea]

As a Solo Diving instructor I have to agree with what most have said about ability, attitude and equipment being what should determine if one should solo dive.
I also feel when doing dives with someone to certify them as a Solo Diver.
Anyone else think this is kind of weird?

Cheers Jim

[Walter]

Yes, Jim, it's weird. There's no way one human being can be with another and observe how that person will react when alone.

Diving is inherently dangerous. Some decisions we make can alter the amount of danger. Deciding to dive alone increases that danger. I never advocate solo diving. Except for SDI, I don't believe any other agency has such a course. Having almost 500 solo dives logged, I'm not sure it's possible to teach any aspect of solo diving. The two most important aspects don't include equipment or technique, they are experience and attitude. You can't teach either.

Much more solo diving takes place than is generally recognized. OTOH, it's rarely necessary. Diving with a buddy is much more fun than diving solo.

Terri, I'm disturbed by something you said.

I can't imagine ever diving without a dive master or instructor at this point in my diving career...

You should be ready to dive with any other certified diver when you get your OW card. If you aren't, you were short changed by your instructor.

[FlIrishman]

I've been "No-Partner", Single Diving for a few years. We do it when diving for bugs [ Florida Lobster ], about 5 miles off shore, 80 ft of water in the Jupiter area. Yea, were prepared for it and have discussed that when your below, you'll probably not have a dive partner. And when you come up to the surface, if the boat is not there, they will find you!

But, I do have my Dive Partner with me - a 19 cu ft pony with the separate reg on my right shoulder strap. I practice on most dives closing my eyes, reaching for the reg and taking a few breaths - so I'm comfortable using this "Dive Partner". It's ALWAYS THERE and not 30 feet away looking in another direction. The 19 cu ft is more than enough to get me to the from 80 ft with a safety stop. A Spare Air IS NOT!!

And after having floated in the Atlantic in 6 ft seas, I've refined the equpment I carry. The small sausage that everybody uses is USELESS in heavy seas. I've got the 6" dia and 6 ft long one with a 100 ft reel. I've also got a small packet on my left side that has 2 waterproof flares. I shoot these off every July 4 and replace them. That packet also has a mirror and whistle.

I've got dive standards also [ especially after the Atlantic Float incident ] that I will not single dive in heavy seas [ over 3 ft], or in currents over 1 knot or in water temps below 70.

So, it's a Too-Each-Their-Own. I'm sure the DIR and Tech Divers do-it-their-way. But whatever you do, practice it often!!

[Walter]

All that equipment is very helpful, George, but it won't do much for you if you get a serious reaction to a Bristle Worm sting (fairly likely when hunting bugs). A buddy could get your limp body to the boat.

[FlIrishman]

Yep, that's right - but we don't do it!@

[Diverbrian]

Diving is inherently dangerous. Some decisions we make can alter the amount of danger. Deciding to dive alone increases that danger. I never advocate solo diving. Except for SDI, I don't believe any other agency has such a course. Having almost 500 solo dives logged, I'm not sure it's possible to teach any aspect of solo diving. The two most important aspects don't include equipment or technique, they are experience and attitude. You can't teach either.

Much more solo diving takes place than is generally recognized. OTOH, it's rarely necessary. Diving with a buddy is much more fun than diving solo.

Terri, I'm disturbed by something you said.

I can't imagine ever diving without a dive master or instructor at this point in my diving career...

You should be ready to dive with any other certified diver when you get your OW card. If you aren't, you were short changed by your instructor.

Agree on that post.

I will pick on one comment. Hopefully the instructor taught you enough to dive with a CAPABLE buddy. I have run into some of those buddies from (you-know-where) and the only thing that good training will do is teach you enough to recognize the bad situation brewing and call the dive before it starts. You can't control the training/attitude of the dive buddy on a boat when you travel alone!

But, you certainly shouldn't be reliant on a divemaster or instructor for much of anything.

[BSG]

I really appreciate everyone responding to the question. I think that the consensus would be that while it is a personal decision:

1. Never dive beyond your skill or comfort level (except with instructor to gain knowledge, skill etc.).

2. If you decide to dive solo, make sure that ALL your equipment is in top condition AND you have everthing redundant (air, light, dive tool, signaling device, etc, etc, etc.)!

3. If you have ANY doubt about the dive - DON"T DIVE!

Does this seem about right?

[Desert_Diver]

BSG: sounds right to me, but I'm no expert on it (no training for solo diving). Heck, I *always* keep my gear in top notch condition 'cos I don't particularly want to be the one getting rescued. A few days work in advance might mean I don't blow a whole trip on the first dive... time well spent.

FlIrishman: where in the world did you find waterproof flares that'll survive a year's worth of dunking in salt?? I've looked and found precicely nada. Also, have you ever tried to get them on a PLANE after the ValueJet incident? I think flares or anything like 'em would be strictly verboten in checked or carry-on.

Walter: agreed on the two critical points (attitude & experience). I've had enough serious incidents hiking, climbing and skydiving that I know I won't freeze in a pinch, but that's not something you can learn OR teach. Experience is gained over time, but regular practice in emergency recovery can help, somewhat. If you wait to think of how to deal with a major disaster until it happens, you might not take the appropriate measures. From what I've read, that's why the techie types do all of their drills.

Diverbrain: I've had a good selection of your 'buddies from hell', as well as some really excellent partners. Unless they're truly dangerous to dive with, I'd just as soon do the dive, understanding the risks of having to keep an eye on 'em, as sit on the beach or a boat. If I blew off every dive where I wasn't thrilled with my partner, then I'd have missed around a third of the dives I've done. Heading out alone on a vacation, it's always been 'luck of the draw'.

I'm hoping that the 'solo dive' instructors have a tad more moral fiber than the average OW instructors. The guy I was certified with should *never* have received an OW card, and he should *only* ever dive with a DM or instructor. Here 3 years later, I'd give him a 50% chance of still being alive, if he continued diving. If they hand out Solo certificates based mostly on 'he paid for it and got 70% on the test', then it's a worthless piece of paper. (end soapbox)

[maninthesea]

FlIrishman: where in the world did you find waterproof flares that'll survive a year's worth of dunking in salt?? I've looked and found precicely nada. Also, have you ever tried to get them on a PLANE after the ValueJet incident? I think flares or anything like 'em would be strictly verboten in checked or carry-on.

I have some mini flares that were military surplus. Two flares and launcher fit inside the body of a UK SL4 so they are waterproofed.

Cheers Jim

[Dennis]

My comments on the subject are in the thread that Marvel mentioned. It is a very personal choice and one not to be taken lightly.

[Walter]

I'm hoping that the 'solo dive' instructors have a tad more moral fiber than the average OW instructors.

I agree there's a serious problem in OW training today and it's not limited to the OW course. I doubt (but have no direct knowledge) that the solo diver course is no better because the most important elements can't be taught. It's also impossible to observe someone's reactions to various situations when that person is alone.

[SquattingRadishDM]

So what is actually in the SDI Solo course? Do they stick to tangible things to teach like equipment redundency, more conservative planning, emergency procedures etc, and just leave the whole attitude and mental factors that are part of solo diving up to the certifying instructor to judge?

[Marvel]

So what is actually in the SDI Solo course? Do they stick to tangible things to teach like equipment redundency, more conservative planning, emergency procedures etc, and just leave the whole attitude and mental factors that are part of solo diving up to the certifying instructor to judge?

I checked the SSI site & found only a generalized description. We do have one SSI instructor member- she's been MIA over the winter so I'll PM her & ask her to answer that question 'cause I'd really be interested in how that is handled, too....