Do You Consider Solo Diving to be Recreational or Technical?

[MauiScubaSteve]

Halemano.. I don't see the point you are trying to convey by using those quotes?

Agencies (that I know of): TDI and PADI (call it 'self-sufficient diver'). Sure there are more, others can add to that list.

At tech level - no such course exists. Some agencies prohibit/discourage it...especially where they have a strongly identified 'team-diving' focus (i.e. GUE/UTD). In other agencies, it's not specifically mentioned either way: although the training is focused on creating a 'self-sufficient' diver.

The recreational solo course curriculum are basically just stuff skimmed from tech courses... redundancy, procedures, drills, mind-set and problem-solving.

The point I AM making, yoda, is that as far as I've heard, there is only one certification for Solo Diver; SDI Solo Diver.

Is a charter boat, like the M/V Spree, allowing divers to solo dive with PADI Self Sufficient Diver certification?

If no Tech Agencies condone solo tech diving, some Tech Agencies prohibit (please explain discouraging solo Tech Agencies?) and no Tech Solo course exists, why is the Solo Diver forum in the Tech Forum, where it encourages significant TOS violation postings by solo tech divers about solo tech dives?

Could someone that knows the "Limits" placed on an SDI Solo Diver for solo dives after certification please post the "Limits" for a diver trained as Solo Diver?

Would an SDI Solo Diver be violating their training by diving solo to 130 feet with a single tank?

 

[annasea]

FWIW, PDIC offers a solo diver course and IANTD offers a 'self-sufficient' diver course, too, IIRC.

 

[DevonDiver]

The point I AM making, yoda, is that as far as I've heard, there is only one certification for Solo Diver; SDI Solo Diver.

No... there is only one course called Solo Diver. There's more to it than just a name.

PADI Self-Reliant Diver Speciality Instructor Manual:

The purpose of the Self-Reliant Diver specialty course is to recognize and accept the role of the buddy system and its contributions to diver safety while identifying and developing self-reliance and independence while diving.

There are two reasons for an experienced diver to take the Self-Reliant diver course:

• To develop the skills of planning and carrying out dives without a partner when preferred or necessary.

• To sharpen skills of diving self-reliance, making the diver a stronger partner in a dive pair or team.

This course covers when diving alone may be applicable, and the need to compensate for those situations, including dive planning, life support system readiness, adaptive training, equipment and responsibility.

Quite definitely a course which trains divers to plan and carry out solo dives.

Is a charter boat, like the M/V Spree, allowing divers to solo dive with PADI Self Sufficient Diver certification?

No idea... you'd need to ask them. But they certainly couldn't stop a PADI 'Self-Sufficient' diver from solo diving on the grounds of lack of training/certification to do so.

If no Tech Agencies condone solo tech diving, some Tech Agencies prohibit (please explain discouraging solo Tech Agencies?) and no Tech Solo course exists, why is the Solo Diver forum in the Tech Forum, where it encourages significant TOS violation postings by solo tech divers about solo tech dives?

Because no main scuba agency defines this as an unsafe diving practice.

Because it's a mainstream function in technical diving. For instance, it's quite commonplace for one diver to descend first and tie-on to a deep wreck etc. That's a valid dive goal, with a valid dive plan, by an appropriately trained diver. Likewise, dives might be planned where one diver enters a wreck penetration, but their buddy remains as support at the entrance to the wreck. Tech divers might be employed in support diver roles... quite often a solitary diver at a particular level on an individual dive/deco plan.

Why isn't there a 'Solo Tech' course? Because the skills, procedures, equipment and attitude needed for solo diving is part-and-parcel of technical diving. The need for specific, isolated training would be a replication of what every tech diver learns from the outset...

PADI TecRec Instructor Manual: Characteristics of a Responsible Tec Diver:

Self-sufficient.
The diver plans and executes each dive as though having to handle all emergencies alone, and doesn’t rely on any other diver for safety or knowledge.

Some agencies might frown at at. As I mentioned, GUE and UTD firmly believe in the concept of team diving. You'd need to ask those folks how they approach the issue. That said, GUE and UTD won't ever be used as the general 'guideline' for what is considered 'unsafe diving practices' (outside of their own dedicated forums) - as this would restrict a huge amount of the discussion that takes place here; including many issues that are sanctioned by the majority of agencies.

 

[Tortuga68]

Halemano.. I don't see the point you are trying to convey by using those quotes?

He doesn't have points or opinions, he just promotes discussion, remember?

 

[Wookie]

Because Solo diving is something near and dear to my heart, I have spent much time researching the subject. As I stated earlier, the SDI solo diver course is intended to allow solo recreational diving in conditions similar to the ones that the training occurred. When I certify a solo diver, I must state whether the training took place in Fresh or salt water, and the max depth of the training dives.

I spoke to PADI training (Kelly Rockwood) regarding the Self Sufficient diver certification. PADI intends the Self Sufficient diver to have the ability and certification to dive unaccompanied, without a stated buddy. I also have a written correspondence with Eric Keibler, who is on the Board of Advisers for IANTD, who related his conversation with Joe Duturi. The IANTD Self Reliant diver program is designed to help a recreational diver who undergoes buddy separation to deal with the situation, make a safe ascent to the surface, and rejoin his buddy to continue the dive. The Self Reliant diver card is no substitute for buddy diving, and therefore is not to be used as a certification to conduct solo, buddyless diving.

My insurance company representative (Peter Meyer) has stated to me repeatedly that if I ensure releases are properly filled out, briefings are properly given, a certified instructor/supervisor is on the boat for whatever type of diving we are performing, and a dive plan is stated for each diver (for recreational, the boat imposes limits, for technical, the diver states their limits) and that all terms of the original certification are met, he will defend us in a lawsuit. This means to me that I have to chase back to what the certifying agency really means for their card. For instance, a PADI wreck diver card is not intended for full wreck penetration using guide lines, strobes, progressive penetration, or any other method to enter the "cave zone" of a wreck. PADI didn't intend it that way, it is considered an "experience program" A TDI Advanced Wreck Penetration certification, however, means something totally different.

I don't consider most experience program certification cards to have much value. I don't require a DPV card to use a scooter, nor a drysuit card to use a drysuit. I consider an OW card to be good for 130 feet, a nitrox card for using nitrox, and a solo card (or self-sufficient card) and proper equipment good for solo diving recreationally. So far, it's worked for me. We sometimes don't get charters because we don't allow solo tech diving. It really is my choice to be covered by my insurance or throw that $35k a year into the trash heap. I'll usually go with what is defensible in court.

 

[Doc Harry]

Is solo diving is recreational diving or technical diving?
That depends on my dive profile.

 

[shoredivr]

Would an SDI Solo Diver be violating their training by diving solo to 130 feet with a single tank?

Yes, absolutely.

No matter how large the tank, no matter if there is an H-valve or slingshot valve, there is no redundancy for gas loss with a single tank.

 

[Wookie]

Yes, absolutely.

No matter how large the tank, no matter if there is an H-valve or slingshot valve, there is no redundancy for gas loss with a single tank.

Actually, The SDI solo diver program allows divers to train and be certified and dive solo using a H- or a Y-valve. I don't agree with it, but there you go.

 

[Rich Keller]

My solo diving is recreational in that I rarely go deeper than 30' and most of the time even shallower. So it is pretty much glorified snorkelling.

I dive the same way most of the time. I would also consider it recreational.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

All of my diving is recreational ... whether it's solo, team, caves, deep, wrecks, or a simple reef dive. Unless you're a commercial diver or PRD, you're diving for recreation. Therefore I don't see much point in telling NetDoc how to run his board. If there's a topic I want to participate in, it makes no difference to me what forum he's chosen to put it in. Whatever his reasons, it's his business, and the choice is his to make ... as a member, our choice is to participate or not. As with any business, if we don't like the product or service, we can choose to go elsewhere.

The solo forum has worked just fine in its current location for nearly eight years. I'm a strong believer in the adage "if it works, don't fix it" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)