dennism52
Registered
A very interesting discussion. I have dove solo many times on the California coast. The reason was either for spear fishing, or lobster hunting (both in season with valid fishing license). In my opinion, the whole issue of solo diving boils down to two or three factors. The first two are of primary importance. Common sense, and personal responsibility and accountability. Even when diving with a buddy, you must always assume that you are responsible for your own safety. Even when diving with a buddy, you have to always evaluate your own situation and respond correctly. You cannot assume that you have additional protection with a buddy, and that he/she will save you if you have a problem. If you drown, you cannot blame your buddy for not saving you. You must use common sense to evaluate your situation. If conditions are adverse, maybe you should abort the dive (being with a buddy will not make it less dangerous). Many other posters to this thread have commented on how dive buddies are not always aware of each others position. I am an underwater photographer and many times lag behind the dive group (and my wife who is my dive buddy). I get my reg serviced annually, but if it ever did fail, there are times when it would be easier to do an emergency accent, then try to catch up to my dive buddy. This is a situation which I accept.
As I see it, the number one problem in solo diving would be an extreme medical emergency. If you have a cardiac arrest while diving alone there is no one to pull you to shore or the boat. That said, maybe it was your time to go, and even a dive buddy wouldn't be able to get you medical assistance in time to save you.
The third rule to diving solo (which I've not always practiced) is that it helps to be familiar with the dive site, and to place a depth limit on how deep you will go on a solo dive. I can free dive to 40 feet, so if I had an equipment malfunction at that depth or a bit deeper, I have confidence I could do an emergency accent without issues. Once again, this boils down to common sense and the ability to constantly evaluate your current status. You always need to set limits on diving parameters based on your skill set, and possibly these limits should be more conservative when solo diving.
Just my two cents.
Dennis
As I see it, the number one problem in solo diving would be an extreme medical emergency. If you have a cardiac arrest while diving alone there is no one to pull you to shore or the boat. That said, maybe it was your time to go, and even a dive buddy wouldn't be able to get you medical assistance in time to save you.
The third rule to diving solo (which I've not always practiced) is that it helps to be familiar with the dive site, and to place a depth limit on how deep you will go on a solo dive. I can free dive to 40 feet, so if I had an equipment malfunction at that depth or a bit deeper, I have confidence I could do an emergency accent without issues. Once again, this boils down to common sense and the ability to constantly evaluate your current status. You always need to set limits on diving parameters based on your skill set, and possibly these limits should be more conservative when solo diving.
Just my two cents.
Dennis