First Solo!!!

[Stoo]

The Dark Side??? I always thought that solo diving is enlightenment!

Well, it was said with my tongue firmly on my cheek! As someone who has logged thousands of dives alone, you don't need to convince me...

Incidentally, regarding the discussion about what certification you should obtain before diving solo, I honestly think that the C-card is utterly irrelevant. Dive solo when you have a whack of dives AND when you are 100% confident that you can resolve ANY (not "most) problem you might encounter AND when you can properly equip yourself with a truly redundant gear configuration... AND only of your health and fitness level will stand up to any challenge that diving might present.

 

[Standingbear56]

It is both....a contradicion onto itself haha....Most consider it too taboo or strange or dangerous, while those who know its intricacies and pleasures consider it divine and challenging.

HMMM..........Wasn't that what they were saying about Nitrox and Technical Diving not so long ago?
Guess we're in good company. Look where they are today. Personally I think it's more of a liability issue - insurance companies and lawyers truly rule, NOT the people who are trained in the field.
Safe Diving,
George
PADI MSDT

 

[Timeliner]

Congrats on the 1st Solo MaxPower !!!
Stay sharp, Stay loose, Back it all up, then take
it on down to where ever your little old heart desires.

 

[bane51031]

Personally love to dive solo, have my own set of rules and methods of doing things from the minute I load up gear to setting up for the dive then double and triple check, all the while taking my time then once in the water I just enjoy and stay focused. I have to keep this somewhat to myself, as a DM can. it amazes me how taboo this is and I shudder to imagine the ramifications if my Instructors found out. I do carry a back up pony with enough capacity depending on depth and limit my dives to 60 feet at familiar dive sites, only a matter of time before my instructor or another employee at the shop splashes in on me while I am soloing, guess I will just tell them my buddy disappeared?????

Take your time and plan, enjoy

 

[highflowdiver]

I like to be carded for the dive I wanna do. I got the solo cert , presented to my local mud hole and the owner totally blew a gasket,,right in front of all the other customers. So, I drove 1.5 hrs away to another quarry. I was welcomed with open arms. Later I asked this owner about his insurance,,, and the other quarries insurance. He said he knew for a fact that both were the same. He said the other owner must have something personal against me. He couldn't understand it because the first owner lets others that are not tech or solo certified go solo. My solo card is black and in the eyes of the first quarry owner it truely is the black sheep of certs. Kal

 

[Standingbear56]

When I'm not out with students or friends, I'm solo diving. I enjoy the peace and quiet it gives, along with not having to continuously look over my shoulder for my buddy. Just like technical diving and ice diving are specialties on to themselves and are not for everyone, I feel the same for solo diving. Those who want to and are qualified and equipped to do so, should be able to go for it!
Safe Diving,
George
PADI MSDT

 

[jorgie]

I personally think if your ready and you can do it, Solo diving makes you a better diver. You become more consious and aware, you take more time to prepare and you understand the ramifications of your actions. A good solo diver is better prepared. You get into a crowd (which I don't like) you notice those that struggle and shouldn't be left alone, and you recognize those that you could depend on as they exhibit the same charataristics as yourself.

I'm not sold on the Solo Diver Certification, however that is just me, please don't jump all over me for this.

PS I agree about the finger reel versus the regular cave/wreck reel clipped to your BC. As I stated weeks ago on this thread a big no no!

 

[Stoo]

I enjoy the peace and quiet it gives, along with not having to continuously look over my shoulder for my buddy.

I just got in from a solo night dive up here in Tobermory, on a great old barque called 'Arabia'. The bottom is 110' or so, and tonight there was a good sized school of young lake trout lurking about near the bow. The water was warm (by Toby standards... about 43F at the bottom!). My boat tender/wife was just saying that one of the benefits of night diving is that she can see my light slightly when I shine it up from the bottom, so she knows all is well! It's a beautiful clear night, with about a bazillion stars out. The wreck is three miles out in the lake, so the lights from town don't interfere...

On nights like tonight, I don't understand why everyone doesn't dive like this!