12 replies to this topic

[fbp]

Howdy,
I'm from Calif originally, Pasadena, and learned how to dive down there. While in Calif at that time - nid 80's Nitrox was the "New Thing" in diving. By the time everyone was then certified or becoming certified, I moved up to Seattle and have been diving here since. Nitrox classes up here followed a few years later and now it's pretty much accepted/kewl. Now Calif, as I understand it from old Instructors, is that Nitrox is Passé and not "In Fad" as it used to be which would support my theory "Air ROCKS".. heheh.. but thanx another discussion - anyway...

The topic of Solo diving has been discussed more and more, which might mean that it's being considered more and more. A Dive buddy of mine, Mike L, visited Calif - Catalina (dove w/Dr Bill) and was struck by the number of "Solo Divers" down there and the growing acceptance of the practice of Solo Diving.

All this made me wonder if Calif is, again, setting a trend for the diving community. So to all you Calif Divers, I know Dr Bill has been diving Solo since the year one, but is this becoming a more acceptable and "Common" occurrence now???

Just wondering...

ps. I'm not asking about whether to dive solo or not, there's plenty of other threads that have hammered that one, just asking if it seems to be a rapidly growing trend as the conversion to Nitrox was in the 80's..

thanx

[Latitude Adjustment]

Well Calilifornia didn't start that trend, Jersey divers have been "same ocean buddies" aka solo diving since at least 1970. That's probably because you can't see your buddy on most dives and the reason I pack a pony.

[fbp]

Heheheh... Yah, I agree...
Same Lustrious Vis up here too...

But my friend was saying that it was really prevalent in that divers at the Casino, (Catalina) and boat diving (I believe he indicated this) was that divers pretty much just went in Solo... sort of like an "Open Boat" on a dive trip somewhere exotic.

Not saying Calif invented it, there are Closet Solo's everywhere in any location, but he just happened to make note of it there.

Up here, Seattle, it's pretty much Closet Solo and not generally accepted, but the trend is reversing, so I'm thinking it's just a matter of a few years before it's acknowledged as "ok" for whatever that means... If Calif is doing that now, then it might be an indication for up here in a few years.

Which would be just like the Nitrox trend... People everywhere have been using nitrox BEFORE it became popular, but now it's like a big wave.... and declining in Calif?? (just guessing here)

Calif has long been considered a "Trend Center" in many things and as best as I can tell, seems to be setting this one too... or I think anyway... heheh.. who knows... eh??


It's just something I was noticing.... amd thought it might be interesting to see what the comments are...

Sigh, now back to the Same Ocean, Same Day... accepted style of diving.. LOL...

[Latitude Adjustment]

So that diver the Boy Scouts picked up in the Channel Islands last year was really working on his solo cert

[fbp]

Yeah, it was for a boy scout badge too.. LOL...
A hidden shopper/diver so to speak...

[drbill]

Funny, I guess I'm not that aware of other solo divers at the park. I know of several local divers who do so, and a few "regulars" who come out here frequently. I didn't think it was all that common here except among the "pros" living here who often go in by themselves.

Just returned from four weeks in the Florida Keys diving with two of my fav dive buddies (Andrea and Stephanie). It was so nice to have a buddy to share my passion with both in and out of the water (no, not THAT passion... yet).

Dr. Bill

[fbp]

Well, Interesting, I was referring to Mike Lavery's experience and he, guessing now he was a little overly enthusiastic??, painted a picture of everyone just going in by themselves, much like a beach... so thought maybe it's a trend... Guess not, might be everyone was just meeting in the water and dong a SOSD (Same Ocean, Same Day) buddy system....

Anyway, just thought I'd check.. heheh... yes.... diving with dive buddies "Can" be fun too...

Welcome back....
Thanx for the reply, was wondering where you were...

[randy54]

I often go solo. with the poor viz, you often cann't see your buddy anyway. A couple of times I picked up buddies I wished I hadn't. Felt I'd have been safer solo. But I do have strick requirements I follow when soloing. Keeping the anchor line or object near the anchor line in site, max depth is 60ft, head back with a minimum of 1000pounds, and a few others. And even when I'm solo, I always dive off a boat with lots of other divers, and rarely out of another divers sight.

[fbp]

Yeah, that's pretty much what happens up here, unintentionally... but on a boat, it's pretty much like warm water boat diving... everyone just kind of groups together, and able to see their buddy... when vis is bad then it's a call.. as to what to do... just continue - hope to meet up or come up or head back after a little look around..
My normal dive buddy, we just figure enjoy the dive and worry about it if we don't come back.. still not real comfortable with that as feel a little responsible... LOL..he's fine with it thought...

My question was whether it's pretty common in SoCal, i.e. not a big deal or is it still like "Oh, you're Solo Diving????... Hmmm...." and not looked upon as "Normal"...
Or is it???

Just trying to get a feel for it down there...

thanx for posting..

[drbill]

I did two dives at the Casino Dive Park yesterday and kept an eye open for other solo divers after reading this. There were about 100 divers there and as far as I could tell, I was the only solo diver. Of course once underwater, many more were going "solo" due to the very poor visibility that has been plaguing us this winter.

I started diving solo in 1967. It was actually required as part of a job I did back then. Randy54's comment about some dive "buddies" has also been my frequent experience. I have a group of divers I dive with regularly (well, as regularly as they can go) and who make great buddies. I have also had some pick-up "buddies" who were much more a liability than an asset (not referring to Mike of course).

As for Nitrox, I never saw a reason to ride that wave so I guess I'm a "trend setter" there! I can do 4-6 dives in cold water without getting too tired (nothing wrong with a little nap afterwards though).

Dr. Bill

[RichardB]

Wether you intend to solo dive or not, one of the best books available to divers...experienced and novice alike...... is Solo Diving, The Art of Underwater Self-Sufficiency by Robert Von Maier.

It's perhaps one of the best and most beneficial books I've ever read on the art of diving.

[fbp]

Ok, thanks Bill,
Doesn't sound as prevalent as I orginally thought... which maybe good or bad, who knows... but interesting...

Appreciate the info, looks like nothing has really changed yet, just more people that "Do" solo diving, are talking about it and it's being discussed and evaluated more and more... kewl...

Hava good one.. Vis sucks down there??? we've been having pretty good ones... 20-25' or so.... and then comes summer... bummer...

hava good one eh??

[Latitude Adjustment]

I just spent 10 days on the Nai'a and there is no requirement to stay with the DM or buddy up. In the 35 dives the only underwater emergency was an O-ring blowing at 70' and it was pure chance that we all (5) happened to still be together. That's a 400th dive she won't soon forget! All 7 minutes of it.
And yes I will put up a trip report as soon as I resize some photo's.