Instructor vs Solo Cert

[J-Vo]

I think another interesting question is why is a technical certificate not accepted by operators in lieu of a solo certificate for non-technical solo dives? (I'm assuming they don't, of course.) Assuming you had the Instructor rating, you could teach the Solo specialty class.

A couple years ago I visited the dive site were I got my OW and AOW cards in the 90s. Upon showing my TDI CCR Heliotrox card, they asked if I had a buddy then required I show my solo card. Thanks to @boulderjohn I had it lined up and ready to go.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Regardless of whether the FBI cares, the OP seems to be an instructor and to be advocating they want to fake a cert card for themself. It must be a very unique agency for this to be proper professional conduct.

Solo and instructor cover different things and each have required mindsets.

I'm retired from active teaching for the for profit private business that I used to teach for. Also, I am not at all advocating anything to anyone.... folks should make their own decisions when it comes to their personal business. And that's what this is really about. I would NEVER condone or even suggest that anyone "create" their own personal certification if that certification in any way compromised the safety of another.

My main point in this thread was just to discuss my personal belief that when teaching instructors are "technically" diving solo.....even by the agencies own standards. And that since the so called "agency" seemed totally OK with that as instructors are continuing to produce paying club members for them......then why not just issue a Solo Cert card since they appeared to be already condoning the Solo Diving anyway.

I've actually appreciated and learned from some of the comments here, but still maintain that in the real world of diving....that being "qualified" is far more important than being "certified". And knowing that I have a trip planned for Bonaire later this spring I've actually looked into just biting the bullet and taking the damn Solo course while there..... Apparently, I can do the academics ahead of time and then do the dives in one easy day. I won't learn anything and I'll be lighter in the wallet..... but what the heck.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Also...... even though I can't find it I think I've heard that these official SOLO certs allow for a spare air to be considered as a redundant air source. Is that really true?

SDI Solo Diver

www.tdisdi.com

The SDI standards allow a Spare Air.

The Defence rests.

 

[tursiops]

The Defence rests.

Not really. Your statement ("official SOLO certs") was plural, but SDI stands alone. Your partial quoting of my post is unkind.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

The SDI standards allow a Spare Air, but I don't know any SDI instructors that allow it. PADI does not allow Spare Air.

I am assuming you have never read the SDI solo diver manual which states in several locations determining the amount of gas needed to reach the surface at a normal speed. When going through this exercise, SpareAir (helping divers drown at shallower depths since 1979) will get tossed out. For those at rather shallow depths, a SpareAir will get them to the surface.

The key part of what you are leaving out is the calculations of the requirements of the redundant air source.
For anyone interested, I have a spreadsheet here: that can be used to determine the appropriateness of a redundant air source.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Not really. Your statement ("official SOLO certs") was plural, but SDI stands alone. Your partial quoting of my post is unkind.

Did not at all intend to be unkind..... Partial quoting of a post is simply meant to emphasize the actual part of the post that you are addressing. You do it.

I'm actually glad to hear that some SDI Solo instructors don't allow Spare Air's to be used as the redundant air source and I applaud that decision. I'm also glad to hear that SDI Instructors appear to have the option of setting their own personal standards and requirements.

All I meant in my statement that "The Defence rests"...... is that since this AGENCY supports and allows a Spare Air for their Solo Diving certification, that my personal opinion of the course is that it's even of less value than I thought.

 

[BoltSnap]

Are we switching to Spare Air vs. pony now??

 

[tursiops]

I am assuming you have never read the SDI solo diver manual which states in several locations determining the amount of gas needed to reach the surface at a normal speed.

I am assuming you have never read the SDI standards for Solo, which say,

"5. Equipment for Solo Diving

a. Redundant air sources: pony cylinder, twin cylinders with isolation, independent doubles, SpareAir™"​

Of course it is not enough air, which is why I never allowed it when teaching SDI Solo.

Go find something else to be pissy about.

 

[BoltSnap]

I am assuming you have never read the SDI standards for Solo, which say,

"5. Equipment for Solo Diving

a. Redundant air sources: pony cylinder, twin cylinders with isolation, independent doubles, SpareAir™"​

Of course it is not enough air, which is why I never allowed it when teaching SDI Solo.

Go find something else to be pissy about.

You two are so adorable together. You can make a late night tv show.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I am assuming you have never read the SDI standards for Solo, which say,

"5. Equipment for Solo Diving

a. Redundant air sources: pony cylinder, twin cylinders with isolation, independent doubles, SpareAir™"​

Of course it is not enough air, which is why I never allowed it when teaching SDI Solo.

Go find something else to be pissy about.

I understand that, but the training materials go into greater depth. I'm simply taking the opportunity to educate you for which you should actually be grateful.

On page 26, there is "Calculating Surface AIr Consumption", which I don't think I need to get into detail.
On page 32, there is "Planning Appropriate Reserve Volume"
On page 33 under "Carrying a Redundant Gas Source for Security" which discusses "what volume of gas a diver needs to ensure a safe exit to the surface"
On page 78, the discussion on "Different Types of Redundant Air Sources" begins and the "Pony Bottle" which states:
"The pony bottle's volume will depend largely on the underwater excursion being planned, ... we can switch to the stage cylkinder at return home at "normal" speed from any point in the dive."

Now I'm actually surprised that you were not aware, as since there isn't any student manual for the PADI Self-Reliant Diver course (only an instructor guide), many quality PADI instructors use the SDI Solo Diver manual for the Self-Reliant course.

So if after getting through the calculations, a SpareAir may be insufficient for dives to different depths. And we all know, unless "normal" speed is that of a Polaris missile being launched for a submarine, it doesn't cut it. 13 cu ft, or even 19 cu cylinders may be insufficient for some divers (think big guy with big lungs) for dives below 100 feet.