SCUBA482:I'd rather pick Walter's brain to no end to learn, but it seems shameful he'd rather just talk about a person instead of offering sound advice like you just did. BTW, I hold no anger toward him still, just would rather he share input on a topic and not just snub his nose at somebody. By looking at his profile I saw he is an instructor, why not share knowledge then? That was my point about my comment on posting on this forum.
Fair enough. The only problem with your assessment is I already did discuss this topic with my comments directed at, not about, you in another thread about solo diving started by you.
What I said there was:
A new diver shouldn't even be thinking about diving solo. Solo diving is something many extremely skilled divers would never consider. Those who do have a few hundred logged dives and are considering solo diving should ask themselves a few questions before starting.
Have I ever had a diving emergency?
If the answer is no, you don't know how you'll react when you do. Wait until after you've experienced an emergency.
How calm were you during the emergency?
If you were anything other than calm, solo diving is not your thing.
Can I effectively deal with the simultaneous failure or loss of any two items (mask and 1 fin; regulator failure and loss of mask; 1 fin and stuck inflator hose; BC that won't hold air and mask; etc.) of gear?
If the answer is no, you are not yet ready for solo.
Do I know I can deal with the simultaneous failure or loss of any two items because I've practiced?
If you haven't practiced, you don't know.
SCUBA482, I believe you are trying to get into diving solo long before you're ready. Slow down, enjoy diving with a buddy. Don't lose your life because you are impatient.
SCUBA482:I guess my point is I don't see where the #25 of dives comes into play I could still be a dumba$$ after 50 dives or even a 100 so why did you chose 25?.
I didn't choose 25. Your profile lists the number of dives you've logged at 0-24. There is no magic number. Most divers should never dive solo.
SCUBA482:If I dove the rest of my dives with a buddy to 25 then SOLO'd would it be any better?
Nope.
SCUBA482:I'd like to be clear that I encourage opposition on schools of thoughts, but I would like to ask for reasons for said opinion.
My opinion is you aren't concerned about safety. My reasons for that opinion are you have started solo diving after learning you should always dive with a buddy. You then decided you wanted to dive solo. You asked opinions from more experienced divers. You were told you needed more experience and to practice certain skills. Then you went out and dived solo. What did I miss?
To answer your earlier question, I don't have more than 15,000 dives, I'm over 2,000 (over 500 solo), but not even close to 15,000. I guess I'm a cyber diver.