Devon and Bob make very valid points about the need to have a considerable amount of training and experience before attempting to dive solo. They come from the instructional side of diving. They see a large number of divers with a wide variety of skill levels. On the other hand I am sure that there are a significant number of divers that are very comfortable with their skill level
The problem that we see as instructors (
and I am happy to assume that any other instructor would cite simular experiences) is that less experienced divers are often very poorly skilled at correctly self-appraising their true diving capabilities.
It is not uncommon for a new diver to find themselves naturally relaxed and at ease when using scuba. This environmental comfort will play a large role in determining their confidence level in scuba diving. When only based on this rationale, the confidence level does not match the capability level. The diver's perception that they can deal with any potential risks or dangers is entirely hypothetical.
Sadly, any self-appraisal by an inexperienced diver cannot be made using evaluation of the full range of risks and requirements. As per the cliche "
you don't know what you don't know", the inexperienced diver mistakenly bases the self-assessment of competance on their
comfort level, rather than on a
comprehensive assessment of capability versus risk.
In contrast, confidence that develops through increased experience tends to be more accurate. Exposure to different elements, problems and issues educates the diver about
both the risks involved and their own capability for reacting to and dealing with those risks. In this instance, the initially
(over) confident diver will actually become less confident and more cautious as their experience and capacity develops. What confidence they do possess, will be entirely rooted in a substantiated understanding of their capabilities.
What we see often as instructors are highly confident, but highly inexperienced divers. When we dive with those people, we see that their confidence is undeserved.
As a result, we try our best to help these divers appreciate why their confidence is misplaced. We educate about risks. We recommend having a conservative approach to scuba, along with adherance to safe diving practices and the progressive expansion of diving activities, in line with developing experience.
We do an extremely good job of this in our dive centers. It is easy to 'prove a point' about diver capability when you can take them in the water and show them. On the internet, we don't have that ability. C'est la vie...
I'm trying to play nice, but 'others' (being nice again) are monopolizing the forum and trying to shove their points of view down everyone elses throat and then claiming superiority. It's very similar to non-DIR folks coming into the DIR forum and bashing what they do there. Genuine debate/discussion between solo divers, sure. But, that's not what this is anymore.
I am trying to understand where this misappreciation has come from that has led several members in this debate to believe that there is an 'anti-solo faction' posting here. There isn't.
Everyone posting here is making a case FOR solo diving.
The only apparent disagreement is whether a solo diver should possess a requisite amount of training and experience before embarking on this specialised diving activity.
One side of the argument feels that there is no need to expect a minimum level of experience, education or ability before going solo diving. It is fine to go solo, from your first dive onwards. It is the individual's choice. People supporting these views typically started solo diving within their first 25 dives and currently have less than 250 dives. None are employed within the dive industry or work in dive education.
The other side of the arguement feel that solo diving is a specialised and advanced diving activity. The risks involved in that activity warrant specialised equipment and procedures. In addition, a responsible diving attitude and ability to cope with stress/panic is required. Because of these factors, divers should have a considerable amount of experience and/or training before embarking on solo diving activities. People supporting these views currently have more than 500-1000 dives. Some are employed by the dive industry and/or work in dive education. This view is also supported by every scuba agency, DAN and the scuba community in general.
The discussion is clouded somewhat by a confusion over what counts as a solo dive. There is also a misunderstanding that the proponents for reserving solo diving for divers with a minimum capacity and experience are actually anti-solo diving.
