Do you dive solo?

[scubadada]

Interesting to note that experienced divers have overtaken trained divers as the most frequent category

 

[MB NZ]

Just some thoughts. I actually prefer to solo dive in challenging conditions, especially low visibility. I did the SDI Solo Diver course after I had been solo diving for many years and had done some technical diving courses. The course added nothing in terms of skills or knowledge, but the certification card has proven very valuable several times. Someone commented that they refine their gear for solo diving. I agree, it certainly makes gas planning simpler. Finally, I also enjoy the apres-dive banter, swapping stories on the boat and having a beer, I just do the underwater bit by myself.

 

[lowviz]

I flunked solo, so I just dive by myself now...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I've got somewhere between 250-300 solo dives by now ... mostly photography dives above 100 fsw. I have done a few staged deco dives solo as well. Last year I built an entire rock reef at roughly 60 fsw diving solo, using a scooter, sling, and 400# lift bag ... racked up 27 solo dives just on that project.

I did not take a solo class, but by the time I did my first solo dive I'd logged about 2,000 dives and had taken several tech classes ... going through a solo class at that point wouldn't have taught me anything I didn't already know in more detail than the class would cover.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

You could probably teach the class and provide more info than a so called "solo" cert instructor.

 

[Twoblues]

Does SDI require proof of 100 dives like PADI for the solo course qualification?

 

[uncfnp]

Does SDI require proof of 100 dives like PADI for the solo course qualification?

Define "proof"

 

[DennisC]

If you are actually solo who is going to ask you to show a card?

I guess you mean, diving without a buddy from a commercial boat that has other divers on it but you are just going to not have a buddy. See, I am not sure I can call that solo. You do not have an assigned buddy but you are nonetheless in the water with other divers. It has been my experience that these commercial ops rarely allow diving without an assigned buddy, with or without a solo card.

But, I suspect as many other things, the future may bring sufficient recognition of the legitimacy of solo or in this case, without an assigned buddy diving, and then and therefore the value of a solo C card may increase. Right now, they are pretty worthless.

Yes, most solo divers dive without a solo specific C card. We trained ourselves. And as you might expect from a population of independent, stubborn, nonconformist, none of us agree widely upon even the definition of solo or the level of gear encumbrance needed. As a minimalist, I reduce my gear when solo, not increase it since I now have no need of a buddy support system. And people can tell me I am wrong until they are blue in the face, see, I have been diving actual solo for decades and feel I know at least as much about it as they do proven by the fact I am still here and in fact, some of them are not (with or without a buddy).

N

Some local quarries around me ask for a solo card if you up alone. I wouldn't do anything crazy and I have a spare reg and gauge I could use for redundancy. I would only really need to learn how to carry the extra tank. Good to know about diving without a cert tho. Now I wont feel bad if I go and try it

 

[lowviz]

...//... Good to know about diving without a cert tho. Now I wont feel bad if I go and try it

Nice try at internet validation. You go and kill yourself then you will truly have embraced the concept of soloing too soon...

 

[Tigerman]

Some local quarries around me ask for a solo card if you up alone. I wouldn't do anything crazy and I have a spare reg and gauge I could use for redundancy. I would only really need to learn how to carry the extra tank. Good to know about diving without a cert tho. Now I wont feel bad if I go and try it

Have you ever seen/heard solo divers say that "if you have to ask (if you're ready) you're not"?
There's a reason for it and its not to be a dick. Its because the only one who will validate your decisions when solo diving is Mr Murphy and if you're lacking the confidence and preparation to deal with manure hitting the fan yourself, nobody is going to come to your aid...

 

[Rich Keller]

Interesting to note that experienced divers have overtaken trained divers as the most frequent category

Once you have enough experience you know what you need to do as a solo diver and you are also more comfortable in the water so a solo course for an experienced diver would be a waist.