Solo dives

[j yaeger]

i enjoy the peace and calm of being away from students diving alone

but i enjoy diving with a group of freinds much,much more!!!

as was mentioned,sharing the finds with your buddies is a lot more fun!!!

in the end,it comes down to you alone

have fun
yaeg

 

[knowone]

:uwphotographer: Every dive involves elements of solo.
Restricting yourself to diving with others impedes developing an optimal ability to assist them:uwphotographer:

 

[Blackwood]

It sounds more like he was looking for affirmation for what he had already done.

So once again, he didn't care to ask for anyone's opinion before he did it. So why ask now?

I assume the motive is to get feedback on future diving behavior.

 

[stairman]

In the cavediving circle solo diving is accepted but the redundent gear is there as well. A spare mask is important in case a strap breaks and your primary goes deep six. With backmount double tanks a separate stage bottle, usually an aluminum 80 is slung for your buddy bottle so you end up with 3 complete rigs. Drysuits, dual or stacked wings completes your redundent buancy. Burst discs are beefed up to not fail as easy and emergency procedures are practiced more often. As stated with openwater gear its not wise to go deep without ample backups which arent usually carried which is why the buddy system is stressed more at that level.

 

[fnfalman]

I assume the motive is to get feedback on future diving behavior.

It would be the same feedback had he asked before he did the solo dives:

1. Do it if you know what the risks are and if you're prepared for it.
2. Don't do it, it's dangerous/not as fun/etc.
3. Do it if that's what you want to do regardless of training or preparation.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

.... Again, I realize this is not an accepted practise and I am in no means trying to promote this; I just want to get some feedback on people's experiances and your honest opinion on diving solo.

Thanks everyone
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

I see giving advice regarding solo diving as somewhat similar to giving advice to my children regarding sex.

In both cases, I recommend holding off for as long as possible, for somewhat similar reasons:

"You may not fully appreciate the gravity and consequences the activity could have, it will still be there when you are really ready, and you'll enjoy it just as much then"

Best wishes.

 

[Waterpolo]

You're exactly right. I am fairly inexperianced and do care what you guys think or I wouldn't have posted my question. Equipment failure is always on my mind and I must say that i don't think i will entertain the idea of solo diving again unless i have an alternate air source. I do have confidence in my rapid assent skills and always keep in mind that I can make the surface from 10 meters if the need arises.

I want to thank everyone for their input and rest assured your advice will not be ignored. I love diving and want to continue for many years to come.......safely.

 

[TMHeimer]

You're exactly right. I am fairly inexperianced and do care what you guys think or I wouldn't have posted my question. Equipment failure is always on my mind and I must say that i don't think i will entertain the idea of solo diving again unless i have an alternate air source. I do have confidence in my rapid assent skills and always keep in mind that I can make the surface from 10 meters if the need arises.

I want to thank everyone for their input and rest assured your advice will not be ignored. I love diving and want to continue for many years to come.......safely.

Just a thought on alt. air sources. I did use my pony bottle at first when solo diving. Then I figured it's main purpose is if your low or out of air (which SHOULD never happen). I guess it would give you a little extra should you become entrapped, but not much. Rather than bothering with the pony on 30 foot dives I just make dead sure I'm not near anything that could entrap me (and have the knife, of course). It wouldn't be much help also if you have a heart attack oor something else real bad.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

Just a thought on alt. air sources. I did use my pony bottle at first when solo diving. Then I figured it's main purpose is if your low or out of air (which SHOULD never happen). I guess it would give you a little extra should you become entrapped, but not much. Rather than bothering with the pony on 30 foot dives I just make dead sure I'm not near anything that could entrap me (and have the knife, of course). It wouldn't be much help also if you have a heart attack oor something else real bad.

When diving, especially when solo, there are just some failures you dont survive....its a risk you need to be willing to accept.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Just a thought on alt. air sources. I did use my pony bottle at first when solo diving. Then I figured it's main purpose is if your low or out of air (which SHOULD never happen). I guess it would give you a little extra should you become entrapped, but not much. Rather than bothering with the pony on 30 foot dives I just make dead sure I'm not near anything that could entrap me (and have the knife, of course). It wouldn't be much help also if you have a heart attack oor something else real bad.

Having an alternative air source while solo diving has nothing to do with entrapment. It has to do with the potential loss of your primary breathing source ... and a separate air source buys you the time to think your way out of the problem. Sure, you should never run out of air. But you don't plan for what SHOULD happen, you plan for what CAN happen. Unexpected current, downwellings, siltouts (or miso soup) can cause you to use more gas than expected, or require more time and effort to reach the surface than expected. And ask Dr. Bill about the time his dip tube got plugged ... whoops! ... plenty of gas in the tank, none available to the diver.

You bring an alternative air source because ... well ... you don't have a buddy to turn to if you suddenly find yourself needing a breath of fresh air.

As for entanglements ... you won't always see them coming. Fishing line's not as easy see as you might think ... and when it gets you it'll usually be someplace you can't reach or see easily. And if you happen to swim into some steel leader, well ... that knife ain't gonna do you much good. You'll have to get outta your rig and remove it. Go ahead ... ask me how I know this ... :shocked2:

One of the most important mental shifts you need to make as a solo diver is learning to plan for "worst case" ... because whatever happens, you need to be prepared to get yourself out of it.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)