Looked down upon for doing a beach dive alone?

[MrRoo]

My dive buddy is doing a boat dive this weekend but I cannot afford to go this weekend but still want to dive. I just finished the PADI advanced diver course and wanted to do a solo beach dive to perfect my underwater navigation and search and rescue skills. Is this ok or do other divers looked own upon people diving alone? I am only going to about 30ft max of water and will have someone on the beach waiting for me. I only have about 15 dives logged. Suggestions, comments, information? Appreciated!

 

[Sharky1948]

IMHO, most divers with the experience you have are not yet ready for solo, regardless of place or depth. First, you should have the equipment to support a solo dive...redundant first and second stages, etc. Second, it is unlikely that a new diver has had sufficient experience with minor issues (free flows, lost mask, lost fin, etc.) to be able to comfortably handle those inconveniences, especially when not having the comfort of a buddy.

Play it safe, get the experience, get the right equipment, get the solo training, and then dive by yourself.

And, dive safely and have fun!

 

[Ann Marie]

Where are you located?

Post it and hopefully we can get someone to go dive with you.

I would not recommend diving solo unless you have the experience and equipment to do so.

 

[MrRoo]

Where are you located?

Post it and hopefully we can get someone to go dive with you.

I would not recommend diving solo unless you have the experience and equipment to do so.

Was just going to go dive at Shaws cove in Laguna.

 

[RJP]

I am only going to about 30ft max of water and will have someone on the beach waiting for me.

And exactly what are they going to do for you if you run into trouble 30ft down?

 

[fire_diver]

Ditto to everything Sharky said, with the exception of the solo training. No course can really teach you how to solo. You need lots of experience dealing with diving problems witha buddy around first.

I am a full supporter of solo diving, but don't encourage others to do so, or even attempt without lots of forethought and experience.

FD

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Don't call it because you are going to be looked down on! If you think you can drown in 30' (I can in 3'), there might be current, waves, possible gear issues, unexpected problems, no redundant air supply, your still new or your shore based help can't do anything to assist you in a timely manner, then call it. I think learing to actually call off a dive when you really, really want to is the hardest skill to master.

 

[xSandman3]

Common sense dictates you should probably have a buddy. Go to Shaw's, ask if you can join some others. Conditions have gone south in a hurry and it may not be possible to beach dive this weekend anyway. Your confidence in your skills at your level can be dangerous, and no one here wants you to become a statistic.

 

[tc]

Was just going to go dive at Shaws cove in Laguna.

Laguna Beach has an ordinance that prohibits solo diving. Recently there have been some posts saying that they were no longer going to enforce it or only do selective enforcement but if the lifeguards spot you they will probably want to have a little chat.

 

[ShallowDiverDave]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=172305