Independent diver trainee

[Heffey]

During the classroom and pool sessions of my Open Water course the instructor often stressed the importance of being responsible for our own safety. Here on the scuba board I also read a lot about being an independent diver, being a good dive buddy but being able to deal with issues unassisted if need be.

Now that I am just a couple of weeks away from my open water checkout dives I am increasingly beginning to wonder what I can do to be an “independent diver” even during those checkout dives.

Myself, I always hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I know that I will be in well trained, competent hands during those dives but in the end I am ultimately responsible for my own safety.

Any suggestions on reading, extra equipment, mental preparedness or anything else will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Hi Heffey,

Being an independent diver really just means that you are confident and comfortable with your own skills and that you are not relying on somebody else should something go wrong. "Trust me" diving is becoming more and more apparant within the industry, which means that some divers don't pay attention to the basic skills learnt from OW, and they rely on a divemaster or instructor to babysit them, even after certification. Things like taking a compass bearing, monitoring air supply, being aware that they're diving in conditions that are beyond they're capability.

Being an independent diver ensures that you aware of things like this and don't do "trust me" dives. You don't need somebody to hold your hand, you plan your dive, and then you dive your plan. So I wouldn't worry too much about it. Go to Oahu, and enjoy your OW checkout dives. You seem to have great faith in your instructor which is great, but also realise that your instructor will be looking out for your safety, as you are still a student, so try not to worry about what can go wrong, and enjoy the checkout experience

Then, once certified, dive regularly, with various different buddies. After a while you'll learn what makes a good buddy team and will find a buddy that's great to dive with. But you'll still know, that even should something go wrong, youi'll be able to deal with the situation in a relaxed controlled manner.

Hope this helps a little,

Scubafreak

 

[Nay]

After getting a little more diving in, I highly recommend taking your certification agency's version of the Rescue diver course. It's challenging but prepares you for handling problems in the water.
Have fun!

 

[Heffey]

Go to Oahu, and enjoy your OW checkout dives. You seem to have great faith in your instructor which is great, but also realise that your instructor will be looking out for your safety, as you are still a student, so try not to worry about what can go wrong, and enjoy the checkout experience.

Thanks ScubaFreak
I don’t know if I have that gene that will allow me to turn down my planning and preparation mode and just go for the ride.
That may prove to be the most difficult part of this whole experience.
Hmm, just leave it to someone else. Sounds spooky.
How do I prepare for leaving it to some one else? Lol..

 

[MikeFerrara]

You should have learned to dive in the pool and classroom. Though inexperienced, you should alredy have the skills and knowledge to be an independant diver. While the instructor provides supervision (incase) you shouldn't need much if any help at this point.

Pay attention to the briefings, take part in the planning and pay attention to the navigation that goes on. If you feel that you could safely complete the dive on your own if required then I think you've got it.

 

[Doppler]

I can tell you that in team-oriented diving, it is necessary for every member of the team to have the ablitiy to function completely independently... that is SOLO. And the proficiency in planning and execution never to have to execute that contingency... however, in the unlikely event of a buddy or team mate being incapacitated, one has to be able to "finish" the dive for oneself and one's buddy.

To my knowledge, SDI is the only agency with a course designed specifically for this purpose. It's called Solo Diver -- which you may feel is politically incorrect no matter how accurate. Unfortunately for you, one prerequsite is 100 logged dives...

I personally feel it is a very useful prerequisite for anyone thinking about moving from recreational to technical diving.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I personally feel it is a very useful prerequisite for anyone thinking about moving from recreational to technical diving.

Steve,

Is there anything in the SDI solo course that isn't already taught in entry level technical courses? I'm thinking of classes like the IANTD Advanced Nitrox course here. Reading the on-line srandards (for lack of a better term) I don't get the impression there is. So...I always figured one was better off with an entry level technical class.

 

[Doppler]

How are you Mike?

Good question. In a perfect world the answer might be: Perhaps not. But I se the course's role filling a gap that exists... let me use the analogy of why so many wreck divers got cave certified back in the late 80s and early 90s saying "I don't wanna cave dive. I just wanna be a better wreck diver...". There was little else back then and it was one of few alternatives. I'm seeing a growing number of "recreational focused divers" who are taking entry-level tech classes and other specialty classes because they want to hone their team skills, awareness and self-sufficiency. Many of them... let me rephrase that... some of them are disinterested in getting into the whole tech equipment thing but take the classes anyway. This Solo Diver cert is a very sound alternative IMO... I was a skeptic at first but reading the materials and running a couple of the classes has "made me a believer"

 

[ScubaFreak]

Thanks ScubaFreak
I don’t know if I have that gene that will allow me to turn down my planning and preparation mode and just go for the ride.

You may have misunderstood,
I don't suggest that you turn it down, merely have it as a backup device. Prepare for the dive as if it was your first dive as a certified diver and enjoy.
However I don't think you'll have too much of a problem as you're here asking the right questions about the right things

Good luck.

SF

 

[MikeFerrara]

How are you Mike?

Good question. In a perfect world the answer might be: Perhaps not. But I se the course's role filling a gap that exists... let me use the analogy of why so many wreck divers got cave certified back in the late 80s and early 90s saying "I don't wanna cave dive. I just wanna be a better wreck diver...". There was little else back then and it was one of few alternatives. I'm seeing a growing number of "recreational focused divers" who are taking entry-level tech classes and other specialty classes because they want to hone their team skills, awareness and self-sufficiency. Many of them... let me rephrase that... some of them are disinterested in getting into the whole tech equipment thing but take the classes anyway. This Solo Diver cert is a very sound alternative IMO... I was a skeptic at first but reading the materials and running a couple of the classes has "made me a believer"

I see your point but I'm still thinking that if we taught team diving and self sufficiency in every class the way we should we'd be covered. ok, it doesn't happen...I get it. LOL

Also, some of the entry level tech classes can be done with a single tanks, with little or no staged decompression and without diving below 130 ft. They are more to the tune of 6 OW dives plus shallow skills as apposed to 2 OW dives though so they wouldn't compare cost ot time-wise.