First Solo dive

[Beachlover]

I also enjoy the occasional solo dive.Be safe and enjoy.

 

[David_57]

I will be hitting 200 tomorrow, and several of those are solo dives. My first was dive 73. I do enjoy the freedom, but I still like diving with buddies more... not for peace of mind, because we're pretty separated anyway and I always dive with buddies the same way I dive solo, but just being able to share a dive with someone else is something I really like. Plus, when I have pre-arranged a dive with someone, it's a lot more motivation to actually get my gear together and go!

The LDS here is going to be offering the TDI Solo Diver cert, which I plan on taking. Hopefully I'll learn some new things, but mostly it's so I'll have a card so when I go on dive charters in the future I'll hopefully be able to dive without worrying about being matched up with a buddy. Of course, then I'll have to figure out a way to pack along a pony bottle when I travel. My current 30cf pony is a big large.

I believe TDI does not offer the Solo course its SDI

 

[NudeDiver]

A solo diver really becomes part of the neighborhood quickly.

Hopefully not permanently.

I'll be getting my solo card soon - hopefully first half of next year.

Will not do me much good locally, as I don't have any real desire to go solo diving in our waters - too much cold, too much hassle. If nothing else, I want a buddy on land to help with gear and such and split the cost of gas and such.

My main motivation is for trips - in case my wife doesn't feel like making a dive, or maybe doesn't go on a trip, I don't want to get stuck with an instabuddy if I can help it. I realize that many places do not allow solo diving even with a card, but at least it gives you a chance.

 

[Barracuda2]

Hopefully not permanently.

I'll be getting my solo card soon - hopefully first half of next year.

I realize that many places do not allow solo diving even with a card, but at least it gives you a chance.

It's not "the card" that gives you a chance; it's experience, common sense, confidence, comfort, and more experience. You definitely need "the card" for cave diving, some wreck penetration, tech diving, nitrox, maybe ice diving, (I have my doubts) and rescue. Solo diving is common sense:
well maintained life support equipment
redundant gas
extra mask
safety sausage, whistle or horn, mirror
know where you're at at all times
plus all the other basic OW rules

What more can an instructor tell you for $150?

Sorry for the mini-rant, but if I had to carry all the unnecessary cert. cards out there (night diving--photography/video--cavern diving--deep diving (80')-- etc.)for all the types of diving I do, I would have a "George Costanza wallet" (inside joke for you Seinfeld fans.) If "the card" gives you more confidence and comfort, go for it. Like I've said before on this topic, it won't be long before you'll need "the card" to put a pee valve in your dry suit. ok, I feel better.

 

[Nemrod]

Above 80 feet, single tank rig (depends on conditions), I might use a BC or I might not, no pony, no octopus (why, I don't have a buddy and an octopus second is not redundancy), sausage float, signal mirror plus the usual insturments, compass, depth, time etc. I use a double hose regulator for reliability. The surface is my redundancy.

Below 80 feet or so, I begin to incorporate a pony or doubles, I will usually at that time use a BC to help with getting the extra equipment neutral, in that case it is a minimal Hog rigged BP/wing, still no octopus.

The depth where I begin to switch modes, around 60 to 80 feet, obviously diving in 3 foot viz with entanglement hazards etc I would carry more equipment regardless of the intended depth than on a 100 foot viz, 84 degree pretty fish dive.

N

 

[seaducer]

Sorry for the mini-rant, but if I had to carry all the unnecessary cert. cards out there (night diving--photography/video--cavern diving--deep diving (80')-- etc.)for all the types of diving I do, I would have a "George Costanza wallet" (inside joke for you Seinfeld fans.) If "the card" gives you more confidence and comfort, go for it. Like I've said before on this topic, it won't be long before you'll need "the card" to put a pee valve in your dry suit. ok, I feel better.

It isn't so much taking the course and getting the card to "validate" your confidence in solo diving. To my mind, you ought to know all the stuff they are going to cover in that class before you take it, if you intend to solo dive. May not be a bad class to learn more about self suffiency even if you plan to never solo. YMMV

To me though, the real value to the "card" is access. Some places will not let you solo without it. Private dive parks and some dive ops come to mind. Some liveaboards will only allow solo divers with the solo card. If you plan to frequent these operations and wish to solo it may be worth that 150$. Otherwise you are stuck with a stranger, if not a group, and all that beautiful video would never have been shot.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I believe TDI does not offer the Solo course its SDI

TDI and SDI are basically the tec and rec divisions of the same agency so it is a moot issue.

 

[offthewall1]

Less than 50 dives and already diving solo? I was over 60 at least...

To the original poster... Congrats on taking the step... SOLO is an awesome journey that can free your mind and make you one with the ocean...

SDI does require 100 logged dives to receive a SOLO certification... although I know many who have been diving SOLO for years with no certification at all - and do so quite fine.

Because many resorts and destinations treat SOLO divers differently, it is best to check in advance to see if your destination will allow you to dive Solo. If that is your goal, then you may need to look around for an operator that will accept your SOLO cert. Also remember that a SOLO cert without the appropriate SOLO gear on hand means you're not diving SOLO.

Some resorts don't let you dive SOLO no matter what... others allow it if you have the required gear and your SOLO card... and others will let you do whatever you want regardless of your certification level. If you're a Solo diver travelling in a group... make sure you understand the group dynamics and expectations as well as the resorts rules.

With all that said, I highly recommend the SOLO course or at least reading a SOLO diving manual... and adhering to the protocols to ensure your safety. As an SDI SOLO Instructor, I find that most people who inquire about the course - inquire long before they have reached the pre-requisite 100 dives. Rarely does someone with 100 dives ever ask about the course.

This indicates to me that once many people reach 100 dives - they already think they know all they need to know - and can go SOLO on their own without the training. On occasion I see people diving on their own without the required equipment for Solo safety. This is what many experienced divers usually tend to miss.

It is not that they are incapable of Solo diving... or lack the skills... it is they don't really think forward to having all the right equipment should certain situations arise... and that is really what the Solo course is all about in a nutshell. Learning and improving dive preparation, equipment needs, emergency contingencies and planning.

Merry Christmas to All... and to all a good dive!

 

[David_57]

TDI and SDI are basically the tec and rec divisions of the same agency so it is a moot issue.

Not really moot if he's trying to find info on the solo course on the TDI site

 

[NudeDiver]

It's not "the card" that gives you a chance; it's experience, common sense, confidence, comfort, and more experience.

You can have all the experience, common sense, confidence, comfort, and more experience you want - but when you get on the boat, what they generally want to see is "the card" - and if you don't have it, then too bad for you. But thanks for my daily dose of pedantic.

What more can an instructor tell you for $150?

How long it will take for your card to come in the mail.