Lets look at things from a different angle.

[pilot fish]

I do. The people I dive with have no problem with it.

This seem like a foolhardy thing to do, especially for a diver divng with you. I don't understand why you would do that, prefer to do that?

 

[The Kraken]

Solo Diving, IMHO is the safest mindset. I've had 3-4 OOA divers, not always my "buddies" come after my air when panicked. I always donated the primary. When someone is, in their mind, fighting to stay alive, they will do anything, and the whole concept of "team/buddy" is just a concept.

I prefer to dive alone. I have about 1,200 logged dives and another 600+ not logged. When solo diving, it seems to me, you are fully aware that you must monitor your air/gas, trim, deco time, current, compass, etc. On the other hand, on a new dive site, I much prefer to dive with the locals, the divemasters, and the pro's, and just act like a remora and swim along following them.

The more good training, the better the diver.

You know, M,

The more good training, the better the diver

That is an EXCELLENT point. I think, however, we need to consider the universal population of scuba divers, not just the ones we find here on the ScubaBoard.

Here we'll find those who are much more committed to diving and, therefore, are much more in tune to the critical aspects of diving.

It's very difficult to discuss such matters here because, in my opinion, we don't reflect the overall demographic of the diving population.

If one were to take the average diver, if such an entity exists, and throw him/her into the situations put forth, I think the outcome would be a foregone conclusion. Hopefuly, I'm wrong.

the K

 

[Gary D.]

terramak I was thinking the same thang. Both out of air and in a fishing net. This two divers must work for [green pease] or save the [fish inc].
Or just having a realy bad day.

I think a few have lost the intent of this post.

When I wrote it I intentionally separated OOA from the entanglement issue. I used 2 scenarios of the hundreds of thousands that could have been posted. They were just picked out at random as examples. It could have been anything that disabled one or both divers.

Now it is being construed as running out of air while trying to save the whales with some irate fishermen dropping nets on the OOA Green Peace divers.

The idea is to get divers thinking about what happens when your buddy can no longer be your buddy. Either one or both are disabled for one reason or another.

This is not a joke or troll. It is a very serious issue that as time goes on gets pushed further onto the back burner of training.

Buddies are a good thing and I’m not telling people to dive solo. Buddy, Buddy, Buddy is hammered into everyone’s head. But what if that buddy can’t be there for you and you can’t be there for them. What are you going to do and are you prepared to cope with the situation? Simple as that!

Gary D.

 

[Snapping Turtle]

I think I'd rather have a buddy than not have one.

 

[Gary D.]

I think I'd rather have a buddy than not have one.

Good attitude, but what happens if they are not there? Will you be able to handle an emergency on your own?

Gary D.

 

[matt_unique]

.....

Your opinion on the subject of DIR team diving is incorrect. Every DIR diver I have ever dived with is perfectly capable of self-sufficiency ... in most cases, more so than the typical recreational diver. You are confusing a skill with a style ... and they are not the same thing......

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Suffice it to say, I disagree. Style and skills are not the same thing. The style of diving will absolutely determine skills learned and practiced.

For you to say every DIR diver you have ever dived with is capable of self sufficiency is quite a bold statement. Unless you have been diving with only very experienced divers it's quite hard to believe.

--Matt

 

[captain]

This seem like a foolhardy thing to do, especially for a diver divng with you. I don't understand why you would do that, prefer to do that?

A lot of my diving is in a vintage equiptment configuration. two hose regulator, no BC. no alternate air source. There were no SPGs so you became very good at air management and dive planning. I have never had an OOG event. That is the way I learned to dive, this was in th late 1950's, I taught myself and most of my dives at that time were solo because there simlply weren't any other divers to buddy with. Because of that I am perfectly comfortable solo. Now most of my buddies are also in a vintage configuration, but we also know and pratice how to buddy breathe, something that is no longer taught.

 

[rawls]

First step...plan your dive and dive your plan. Familiarize yourself to the dive site. Carry the right equipment for potential risks, ie, plan for emergencies. Visualization of emergency situations if you were left by yourself is a very good thing to do. Visualization will help reduce the risk of panic. If in an emergency situation, always solve the first problem first...

 

[Mlody11]

You mean the most life threatening problem first?

I'd like to think diving is taught that you need to be self sufficent and having 2 heads is better then 1. A very hard concept if you truely think about it.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Suffice it to say, I disagree. Style and skills are not the same thing. The style of diving will absolutely determine skills learned and practiced.

OK, let's run with that thought ... what skills have you learned strictly as a result of choosing to dive solo?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)