Is limited solo diving completely insane for a new diver?

[Bubblesong]

I think everyone could benefit from self reliant course even if they never plan to dive solo, because sometimes buddies get separated and then, there you are, solo. So less anxiety because you know you can take care of yourself, and you know your buddy, who is out of sight in poor visibility and current, can take care of herself.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I think everyone could benefit from self reliant course even if they never plan to dive solo, because sometimes buddies get separated and then, there you are, solo. So less anxiety because you know you can take care of yourself, and you know your buddy, who is out of sight in poor visibility and current, can take care of herself.

Hmm. I suppose taking a self-reliant/solo course could be beneficial to anyone. However, I think continuing a dive by yourself after getting separated from a buddy is a reasonable thing to do ONLY if the buddies agree beforehand that that is the contingency plan. In other words, if two self-reliant trained divers who are on a buddy dive together decide that in the event they become separated the buddy dive becomes a solo dive for each diver. For most of us open-water type of divers, the thing to do when you become separated from your buddy on a buddy dive, whether we happen to also be self-reliant/solo trained or not, is what most of us were taught to do on buddy dives: look around for one minute, and ascend to the surface if you can't locate your buddy.

 

[Bubblesong]

Whoa There! I never said, (and I should have been more clear), that I would continue the dive-Nope I would not, and my buddy, (daughter), would not.
I only meant to point out that the anxiety is reduced in a lost buddy situation, which reduces chance of stress related poor decision making.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

So as I'm reading this I totally get that feeling of wanting to dive so bad, but not having a buddy to dive with.

At 12 dives I had my own kind of wake up call. But, at about 20ish dives I felt I really had to work on my skills so I started "solo" diving in a pool. The first few times there was always some one at pool side, later on there was always someone home, but not always at pool side, well no one but the Labrador who was just waiting to rescue me .

I felt (and still feel) that this was/is a very safe place for me to practice skills, and just be submerged, be it only 10 feet. I just finned back and forth, removed/replaced my BCD, ditched weights and replaced, turned tank off/on, mask remove replace, clipping things on off, using camera, hovering...well tried to hover, I'm still working on that, it would be easier if I had a deeper pool Next time I do it I will be practicing removing and replacing my inflator hose-I found that to be extremely difficult (impossible) for me to do recently. Is that solo diving...I suppose it is. I also have my PLB with me on those dives cuz its part of my gear.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Whoa There! I never said, (and I should have been more clear), that I would continue the dive-Nope I would not, and my buddy, (daughter), would not.
I only meant to point out that the anxiety is reduced in a lost buddy situation, which reduces chance of stress related poor decision making.

Sorry, I guess I misinterpreted this: "because you know you can take care of yourself, and you know your buddy, who is out of sight in poor visibility and current, can take care of herself." I interpreted "take care of yourself" as meaning more than simply ascending to the surface and ending the dive.

While I agree there's no harm and only possible benefit in a self-reliant course, nobody needs a self-reliant course to know how to look around for a minute and then ascend to the surface--we were taught that much in OW class, and we should be able to do it without too much anxiety.

 

[lowviz]

...//... The first few times there was always some one at pool side, later on there was always someone home, but not always at pool side, well no one but the Labrador who was just waiting to rescue me .

I felt (and still feel) that this was/is a very safe place for me to practice skills, and just be submerged, be it only 10 feet.


...//... Is that solo diving...I suppose it is. ...

Most definitely, yes! No question about it. The mindset is clear. You alone are responsible for your actions.

As a side note, almost all of the surviving solo divers that I know started with 'baby steps'. (and saw no particular reason to rush their advancement)

 

[InTheDrink]

My recommendation would be to become a DM/Instructor/guide then all your dives are solo at best. Your guests are unlikely to get you out of trouble but quite likely to get you into it.

But I’d say 100 dives min and lots of pool practice before you start diving solo. YMMD.

 

[dhaines429]

I agree that Porteau is an easy site but think you should explore more options for finding buddies first. I live in the same area as you and struggled to find people to dive with but now have quite a few through clubs and facebook. I think solo is premature at this point.

 

[decompression]

As mentioned, seek out the Whitecliff Wednesday group. Especially as John Nunes dives with them often. I would highly recommend John as a instructor and/or Mentor. I believe he teaches the SDI solo course so he can give you some insights there. If you come to the Island I'd gladly take you out and show you why our sites are so much better than the Mainland......

 

[HeliMech]

As mentioned, seek out the Whitecliff Wednesday group. Especially as John Nunes dives with them often. I would highly recommend John as a instructor and/or Mentor. I believe he teaches the SDI solo course so he can give you some insights there. If you come to the Island I'd gladly take you out and show you why our sites are so much better than the Mainland......

Thanks for that. Sadly, I am all to aware of the superior diving on the island. I hope to get over there before summer comes. At least Nanaimo if I can't get to Port Hardy.

The Whytecliff Wed. option won't work very often but thanks again for mentioning it. I had fun diving the wall there yesterday. Vis was lousy but saw a few cool things and was able to get some good practice in at 90Ft.