My first Solo Dive

[CJ Waid]

I was just remembering my first time diving solo. It wasn't deep, just down to 25 feet tops.

I had just finished a long weekend of diving (with my dive buddy) dropped him off late that afternoon, and I had like 8 tanks in the back of my truck (all rentals), and I had to take them back the next day, but there were a couple that had a thousand pounds and a couple that had 1,500 pounds left in them.

I hate the idea of bringing back tanks unless they are down under the 500 mark, I don't like bringing them back if they have more than 200 pounds of air in them.

So, I decided to go burn off the tanks. I burned off the last bit of 4 tanks in a late afternoon right up until just after sunset. Solo. Like I said, I kept it shallow, I had only been certified for a few weeks if that, and I know I am not going to drown in 25 feet of water, I don't care if you tie cement slippers to my feet, it isn't going to happen.

I didn't have enough air in the tanks to make it worth going any deeper anyway, but I remember going out and coming back in, BY MYSELF.

I noticed the sun, and its angle, and the bottom formations and environment more, and i got a real feel for where I was in the water. I all but mastered buoyancy control, and I greatly improved my air consumption. When I dive alone I advance more, I don't have to worry about where my buddy is going or any of that stuff. I don't even mind carrying the flag when I dive alone, not like I have anyone else to pawn it off on anyway.

Anway, I thought it would be fun to hear about other people's First Time Solo.

 

[all4scuba05]

First time solo was a shore dive. Night dive looking for lobsters in 15 ft of water. Boy was it worth it. My buddy couldn't make it and lost out on the lonsters.

 

[ShallowDiverDave]

I'll let you know in a couple of months...

 

[nationwide]

I've never went solo SCUBA (yet) but years back when I was a rookie officer doing marine patrol, I lost my handcuffs in about 20 feet of water while boarding another boat.

They fell off of my belt, because I didn't have a proper case.

Well, I went back to the nearest shore point, midweek, and went out with mask/fins/snorkel and found them.

Still have 'em.

 

[ArthurGerla]

My buddy didn't show up that Sunday morning, and I needed to test my brand new UW camera housing before flying out to Egypt a few days later. So I kitted up anyway and took it to 7 meters on a nice leisurely dive. I got some stares from the other divers in the parking lot as I walked to the water , and more from those passing by as I laid on the bottom, outstaring a juvenile pike in the sunshine filtering down from the surface. But it was a beautiful and peaceful experience.

 

[hilti]

I don't really remember the first solo dive, I was doing inland lakes at the time which are pretty boring after 35/40 feet (the surface of Mars) likely why I still poke around the lakes as their pretty interesting around the edges, lots of fish, growth, and good visibility, generally. The deeper forays are just a continuation through confidence & experience over time (I'll go to 100 feet on occasion) SCUBA diving is a solo activity for me now, I'm usually more nervous about being a good "buddy" to relax and enjoy the dive when I do partner up (there is more reponsibility in that case as far as I'm concerned)~ Jim

 

[addexdiver]

You asked - it was about dive #180 - went 1100 feet back into a North FL cave - I am fully cave certified. The mindset I had was that at any time I could find myself without a buddy back in a cave and wanted to know I really could deal with it. It was a very relaxing dive. I noticed I was particularly aware of every little detail. I thought much further ahead and anticipated more. I purposefully swam in upside down (for cave diving, you are in doubles...or should be) which in any situation, can be very disconcerting - I guess I was trying to force myself to do things that were not natural or comfortable - so I looked at all the formations on the ceiling that you would normally never notice - the air bubbles - how they flowed and ultimately stayed in place, forming multiple mirrors and a trail. I saw the very dark geothite that indicates still virgin surfaces (I guess people don't normally do this - lol) - no, it is not something you usually do, but I did on this dive. I paid close attention to my bouyancy control and played with wing venting technique while in this "odd" position. I tried to hug the ceiling profile as close as possible - it was fun. I proceeded to around 1100 feet penetration (only the first 250 feet was inverted) where I checked air and decided to do a lights out lost line and exit - meaning in total darkness. It is amazing the feel you have for the system when multiple senses are removed, the cave speaks to you in a way, and the flow tells you which way is out...bubbles ride up your face to let you know you really are, still face down. I did feel a slight bit of vertigo as I did my line search, but awareness of where the permanent line had been (before the lights went out) and flow direction gave me clear clues of which way to go. A very slight brush of my right fin against the permanent line told me all - I held it there and somehow contorted myself to feel the line with my hand (and still my fin). I double wrapped my arm, lol, and tied off, not with my safety which was originally tied off to the only nub of a rock I could feel just after the lights went out...I tied off a second spool - still in darkness, and recovered my safety...I felt very "in control". I purposefully did all this in a system I was very familiar with, I learned a lot - and gained confidence. For me going solo was to train myself for this eventuality that I hope never happens. I really don't feel the need to do it again. But it was liberating and peaceful. I can understand why people want to do it and enjoy doing it...but I like buddies - to share my diving with...and a few beers afterward. But I have to admit that in general, I am lucky to be diving with folks of greater skill than I - makes it easy not to go solo. I do dive with walk up and ask strangers - and generally I am disappointed, so for some, I understand, solo may be the answer. Dive safe - it is a great sport!

 

[WarrenZ]

My first Solo dive was to about 60' of water durring a dive poker weekend at Bottomless Lakes NM. I dove the whole weekend alone and found I really like it.

 

[Berdman]

mine was today!!! went down to 27 ft for a lil bit then hung around 10-15 for the rest, 35 min dive. There wasnt much to see, all the big fishys wernt around. It was my 2nd dive ever! I kept kicking the float line and it was freaking me out I thought somthing was grabbing me lol.

 

[acelockco]

It was only your 2nd dive ever and you went solo?

I hope you have a good life insurance policy brother!