Is it (a relatively) safe idea or are we crazy?

[uncfnp]

Thanks for all the great input. You are right. It is his choice. And he is a very safety conscious diver (I tend to be the more reckless one). I like RJP 's sling idea for travel in the future but he will not have a chance to practice with that configuration before this trip and if he is going to go solo, I think it would be safer to limit to 30 (for CESA) with no pony then to try and adapt to the additional 80. We have already discussed a solo diver course for both of us our next Florida trip.

 

[herman]

I do the same dive on Bonaire fairly often. I actually prefer it when I have a specific photo op in mind. I really don't see the need for a pony at 30 ft depths. While anything is possible, the odds of a total loss of gas due to a reg failure is so remote that it's not worth considering and in that very unlikely event, a cesa is easy from 30 ft or so. Even breathing down a tank completely is not a credible issue, if you have ever actually breathed at tank to full OOG, you know that the reg gives you several minutes of warning before there is nothing at all, plenty of time for a accent. The medical angle also does not strike me as a valid argument considering the way more dangerous activities we all do every day solo....blacking out at 70 mph in traffic is way more of a danger than blacking out at 30 ft and we all do that every day. Same can be said for climbing a staircase.

 

[divad]

except no pony bottle. And do not see it listed as rental where we go.
Tell me what I am overlooking...

If they list an AL 30 "stage", he could rent that and practice with it in the shallow water.

 

[diversteve]

Walt at RecTek rents pony bottles. Rec Tek Scuba Bonaire - We do it silent. We do it deep. Techincal diving.
I think Dive Friends might also.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Walt at RecTek rents pony bottles. Rec Tek Scuba Bonaire - We do it silent. We do it deep. Techincal diving.

IIRC he is the only one on the island (but my info may be dated). The couple people that I know that have gone down and rented ponies have only done it once. The spare stage kit and slinging an 80 or a 63 is so much easier. Basically, you set the "pony" up when you get there and leave that tank in the truck for the week. If you never breathe it down down there is no need to fill it. That verus the $80 or $90 it costs to rent the tank.......I'll take my spare kit.

 

[pasley]

Solo diving is not my cup of tea. No one there to share the finds with, and no one there to help if I get entangled in fishing line or some other difficulty that would prevent my ascent. He could find an insta buddy for the last day of diving. Note Insta Buddy sometimes is worse than solo diving in terms of risk so do a good interview to ensure insta buddy is a safe diver and your goals are the same.

 

[uncfnp]

I had already checked with Dive Friends and we fly with Insel Air which states " no tanks" and with my luck...

 

[RTee]

+1...Stage kit is a much better investment especially for a place like Bonaire that offers unlimited diving with extra tank being free of charge. It can also be carried on all subsequent dive trips and also use on local dives.

In those conditions described I have no heartache as it is being risk managed.

If in doubt, acquire a 400 ft reel and just reel him in when his 30 mins are up.

IIRC he is the only one on the island (but my info may be dated). The couple people that I know that have gone down and rented ponies have only done it once. The spare stage kit and slinging an 80 or a 63 is so much easier. Basically, you set the "pony" up when you get there and leave that tank in the truck for the week. If you never breathe it down down there is no need to fill it. That verus the $80 or $90 it costs to rent the tank.......I'll take my spare kit.

 

[scubadada]

It's his responsibility. I would make the dive, no hesitation.

 

[vincent54]

A buddy can't prevent cardiac issues, passing out, etc. They can find the body if lucky,otherwise a buddy is usually a liability. Enjoy diving solo, if you run into trouble use a redundant system or in emergency mode free ascent. It is not a death penalty if you miss the safety stop or have to free ascent. In the sixties and early seventies no one I knew needed or used a buddy, we had crap equipment and somehow made it back to shore and boat. Not sure when the big push to have a support team go down with every dive. Pretty soon dive boats will make us hold hands when we hit the water. Learn what you need to know and go for it, whether its cave, tech , whatever gets you going. It seems to be ingrained into our head that when something bad happens, someone will come to the rescue. Nothing wrong with self rescue.