Diving Solo In Shallow Water?

[Mark Duddridge]

I am a new diver with only seven dives logged... four in British Columbia for my Open Water Certification (five years ago), and three in Cuba (two years ago).

Next month I am going to be doing a bunch of diving in Maui. I purchased a dive package which includes 5 two tank dive charters and unlimited tanks/air for shore dives. Prior to leaving for Maui, I'll be taking a PADI refresher course at my local dive shop.

Here's my problem... I am going with my family, and nobody else dives. As such, I'm not sure where I am going to get a buddy for my shore dives. I'll be talking to people on my charters and hopefully "recruiting" some buddies there, but I realize there is a chance I won't be able to find anybody.

So... here's my question... If I was to restrict my shore dives to shallow water (20-30 feet) reefs that have typically been designated as snorkeling areas, would it still be unwise to dive without a buddy?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[PerroneFord]

A number of people have drown in water less than 20ft deep, but only you can decide. I've done it, but I wouldn't recommend that others do it. Especially new divers, with a single tank, no redundancy, and no certifications.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Unfortunately, I think it would be unwise.

I'm sympathetic ... my only week in Maui I had the same problem ... although I was with someone who was certified, he was not very into it. We only got in two shore dives the entire time I was there.

However, I don't think that it's wise to solo dive ... even in shallow water ... without adequate experience and training to know what the risks are, and how to anticipate and avoid potential problems. It's the rare individual who will be able to do that with only a few dives.

You can still drown in shallow water ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Jimmer]

Don't forget that those waters are very unfamiliar to you there, while 20 feet might not seem bad somewhere that you know, you could be dealing with an area that has unexpected currents, surges, undertow etc. The best bet would be not to dive solo without much more experience, and hopefully you can recruit a few good buddies while there.

 

[diversteve]

Places to find buddies in Maui:

Pacific Divers in Lahaina has a buddy signup sheet - they mostly do shore dives. You can also get the services of one of their DM's fairly reasonably. (for Maui)
Maui Dreams does also as I recall - they're the shoredive outfit in the Kihei area.
Shaka Doug here is a shore dive guide there. And runs a divebus for local sites in the Kihei area.

Kidspot here seems to be usually up for a dive.
KrisB here might be also - I can't speak for them.

Post in the O'Hana forum and you'll likely be able to set something up before you go.

With 7 dives I really wouldn't solo in Maui. Especially in the afternoon, when the tradewinds pick up, things get a little rougher.

 

[String]

I am a new diver with only seven dives logged... four in British Columbia for my Open Water Certification (five years ago), and three in Cuba (two years ago).

Next month I am going to be doing a bunch of diving in Maui. I purchased a dive package which includes 5 two tank dive charters and unlimited tanks/air for shore dives. Prior to leaving for Maui, I'll be taking a PADI refresher course at my local dive shop.

Here's my problem... I am going with my family, and nobody else dives. As such, I'm not sure where I am going to get a buddy for my shore dives. I'll be talking to people on my charters and hopefully "recruiting" some buddies there, but I realize there is a chance I won't be able to find anybody.

So... here's my question... If I was to restrict my shore dives to shallow water (20-30 feet) reefs that have typically been designated as snorkeling areas, would it still be unwise to dive without a buddy?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

No offence but given your lack of experience i'd say definitely do NOT even consider shallow solo diving.
You have tides, currents, unfamiliar dive sites, conditions could change, you dont have redundancy in your equipment setup and lack experience.

 

[bane51031]

Honestly I agree with everyone else, solo diving requires the proper gear i.e. rudundant air supply and the right disposition. Solo diving is not for everyone and diving unfamiliar waters can cause some problems, even in shallows waters you could be asking for trouble.

I personally often solo dive for my own reasons but, that being said I have a strict procedure I follow from the moment I pull up to the dive site till I leave the site and I have the adequate gear and I accept the risks involved.

Personally with the limited dives you have and lack of proper gear/training your time might better served finding a buddy or buddies to dive with, check out the charter in advance or the LDS in the area you are heading or even post to the Scubaboard as I have done to find some divers who will show you the area, might make some new friends and see some things you might have missed otherwise.
That being said Have a good trip and dive safe.....

 

[Mark Duddridge]

Thanks for all the advice, everybody! I really appreciate your frankness and honesty.

I'll follow your advice and see if I can line up some buddies before I head out.

Cheers.

 

[waynel]

Only 7 dives over 7 years? That, and diving waters you don't know? Forget about a dive buddy. You NEED to hire a DM. Re-read all the previous risks listed in posts above this one...currents, surges, undertow, inadequate experience, no redunancy in equipment setup...Even if you find a dive buddy and he or she has say, only six dives in six years and doesn't know the dive sites, just how safe would either one of you be?

Please, if you can afford to travel to Maui, certainly you can find a few dollars to hire a dive professional. Spend on the trip and go cheap on your life? Come on, if you won't do it for yourself, do it for your family. I had a friend who went snorkeling by himself in the Bahamas and died and his wife of 26 and two children still don't know what happened. Listed as drowing, but why? Did he have some kind of stroke and no one was there to help him? To this day she beats herself up for letting him snorkel alone. Don't do that to your family.

 

[jbd]

However, I don't think that it's wise to solo dive ... even in shallow water ... without adequate experience and training to know what the risks are, and how to anticipate and avoid potential problems. It's the rare individual who will be able to do that with only a few dives.

You can still drown in shallow water ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I would like to add to this by saying that one must also be, through recent training and practice, fully capable of self rescue. Being able to respond appropriately to minor and major problems is mandatory. One of the simplest problems typically turns into a major event that results in an inordinately high risk of injury. That problem is the simple dislodgement of the mask.

At this point I agree with the others solo diving at this point in your diving is not a wise idea.