I agree with many posts I have read that find the Solo Diving text by Von Maier woefully inadequate.
I'd like posters to put together a wish list of topics and tecniques to include.
From another post I have borrowed this from a reefraff post as a possible starting point:
Having taken the course already myself, I would vote for including a really comprehensive section on gas management. SAC calculation and tracking under different conditions, use this information to anticipate adequate gas supply and reserve for planned dives, rule of thirds, rock bottom, depth and pony supply size requirements, etc...
Other ideas...
JAG
I'd like posters to put together a wish list of topics and tecniques to include.
From another post I have borrowed this from a reefraff post as a possible starting point:
reefraff:My Rules for Solo Diving
Of course, solo diving is only for heretical iconoclasts, so opinions are going to vary wildly on these rules.
- Be very familiar with the site. Solo diving isn't the time to be exploring new territory.
- Be truly redundant in all critical gear. Doubles (or a sling bottle) are mandatory, as is inflation, etc. If you need it, you need at least two of it.
- No new gear. Again, this isn't the time to be experimenting.
- File a dive plan with a friend. I know my family would like to be able to recover my corpse if something goes wrong.
- Good conditions only. Storm tossed waters, low visibility, extreme cold, any harsh conditions means no solo diving.
- Be trained (and proficient) at least through Rescue. Competence counts, new divers just don't have the experience base to solo. Until you've stared serious trouble in the face, you don't know how you will react to it, so gauge yourself and your tempermant carefully before putting yourself in a situation where panic might be an issue for you.
- Short (or no) penetration. Solo isn't the time to wriggle through that narrow hatch that leads from the chain locker to the coal bunkers - no matter how many times you've done it in the past.
- The Rule of Thirds might not be conservative enough. If you can't reach the surface on a breath-hold and exit the water without gas, you should turn at 1/4.
Having taken the course already myself, I would vote for including a really comprehensive section on gas management. SAC calculation and tracking under different conditions, use this information to anticipate adequate gas supply and reserve for planned dives, rule of thirds, rock bottom, depth and pony supply size requirements, etc...
Other ideas...
JAG