The solo diving movement, a good idea?

[MXGratefulDiver]

I've heard some instructors say the spare air is an accessory for those who want time to repent before they die.

It depends on how deep you want to go. The point of redundant air is to be able to reach the surface in the event you lose access to your main supply. On shallow dives, a Spare Air is probably sufficient. Where it gets people in trouble is when they take it deeper, without any real thought or knowledge of how much air would be required to reach that great air tank in the sky in the event of an OOA emergency.

Depending on a CESA to get you there assumes that you'll be able to do a CESA. Something like an entanglement or vertigo might make that option not feasible at a time when it's most needed ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TMHeimer]

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Agree--that's why I figure entanglement at any depth is the biggest worry diving solo. Stay clear of EVERYTHING. I guess vertigo can be a problem, but you're probably still going up and releasing BC air as you go, though you may think you're headed toward China. I've occasionally had a slight touch of vertigo when ascending and had no problems.

 

[Bob DBF]

Depending on a CESA to get you there assumes that you'll be able to do a CESA. Something like an entanglement or vertigo might make that option not feasible at a time when it's most needed ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

That's why, when diving solo, I'm as carful as long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.



Bob
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The most important thing to plan when solo diving is to make sure that you are not diving with an idiot. Dsix36

 

[DaleC]

I was hit with a moderate case of vertigo this past week while soloing and had to manage my ascent from 60' (when the onset began). It would not resolve so I began a controlled ascent and did ok getting to the surface (including a SS) but lost my lunch big time when I hit the boat (twice). It did not fully resolve until the next morning and I spent much of the rest of the day feeling like I was walking on a pitching boat.
Fortunately I had experienced minor vertigo in the past and read about someones major vertigo experience so I had a plan in place when it began. Without that I might have either allowed the vertigo to increase at depth to the point of incapacitation or bolted to the surface too fast.

Technical divers sometimes talk about acquiring a skillset that involves being able to solve all problems at depth but I have come to believe that a solo diver needs to acquire a skillset that focuses on the ability to recognize potential or developing problems while they are small and either resolve them quickly or move up (or out) of the water column.

 

[OkByMe]

The whole point of diver training is to get you under the water. It is a lot like driver training. The goal is to get you behind the wheel, steer, brake make turns and understand the rules of the road, what your responsibilities are. What you need to learn beyond that is how to manage adverse road conditions, multiple lane highways, traffic jams and kids screaming in your ear. Initial driver training does not put you behind a NASCAR block, experience, aptitude and attitude matched with some courage does. Same goes for diving. I would rather race with a NASCAR driver than a student driver,,, I am less likely to have a need to........ do anything other than drive.

 

[RJP]

The whole point of diver training is to get you safely out from under the water.

Fixed it for you.

---------- Post added September 6th, 2013 at 04:29 AM ----------

I've heard some instructors say the spare air is an accessory for those who want time to repent before they die.

It's the only piece of gear that lets you run out of air TWICE on the same dive.

:d

 

[DaleC]

It's the only piece of gear that lets you run out of air TWICE on the same dive.
:d

I thought that was sidemount

 

[Twisted Bones]

Not sure I would be comfortable with you doing 90% of your dives solo with such a low number of dives. Especially with "topwater jitters" With so few dives, I could see you going into a situation without realizing it is beyond your limited experience. The spare air is probably worthless in a real emergency. It will give you perhaps 2-3 minutes of air. you can, however, use it for opening different kinds of nuts between dives.

Just my $0.02

Rich

none of my solos are or have ever been deeper that 2at. Everybody has a fear in life and the only way to overcome it is to face it. My top water jitters do not consume me. They are initially distracting and only on the first dive of the day. If they are too distracting I either float topside for a bit or get completely out and try again after a few minutes of relaxing on the kayak. I suffer no jitters on shore dives or high vis. Dives. Only low vis dives. My original dive instructor who will be my AOW instructor as well has been made fully aware of my issue and will help me resolve it with some night dives.
I appreciate the concern. I learn something new every dive and am very comfortable with my gear. I dont fraek out, spaz out and or get the shakes. Chances are you would not even know I had the jitters unless I told you.

Matt

 

[corvettejoe]

I've heard some instructors say the spare air is an accessory for those who want time to repent before they die.

My buddy uses one...







...for his drysuit. LOL

 

[Twisted Bones]

Wow, starting to question my spare air purchase. Are they really that bad? I can see it being almost worthless on a deep dive I suppose but could come in handy at 40 to 60'. Am I wrong? I didnt buy it as a crutch for not watching my air supply as I pay very close attention to my computer and gauge. I bought for the odd chance I get hung and need to ditch my equipment. At least I could use it to attempt to cut my gear loose before heading top

Matt.