shallow solo question

[uncfnp]

TMHeimer. Unless you are looking to extend your depths and add on gear, I don't think the course will add much to your knowledge base. The book though might offer you some thing's to think about, especially in the area of redundancy. After reading the book, then you may decide to take the course more for a mentor than the actual instruction.

 

[rx7diver]

I always have 2 of everything.
2 cylinders
2 first/2nd stage regulators.
2 buoyancy devices
2 masks
2 cutting devices
2 compasses
etc.

For shallow solo, I'd carry a slung AL40. I'd use a smaller cylinder but it's filled with Argon.

Doc,

There's an old scuba photo I especially love which I always come across on the 'net (but cannot seem to find at the moment) taken by Paul Tzimoulis (I think), a long-ago editor of the defunct "Skin Diver Magazine." The photo, taken from above, higher in the water column, shows a diver investigating an old, large, evidently abandoned, anchor. The diver is wearing what looks to be a single steel 72 and a plastic backpack (or an old-style canvas harness), full-foot fins, and (iirc) shorts/pants and a T-shirt--extremely basic gear. The photo suggests a solo diver in open water, exploring, at the moment of discovery. There's a certain relaxed tension conveyed, as if the diver, though completely comfortable with being alone in this water environment, is excited by his "discovery."

When I dive solo to shallow/moderate depths, this is what I hope to feel. And I don't seem able to feel this way when encumbered by what I think is unnecessary (for me) gear.

FWIW.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver


P.S. Also, check out what Nick, Jacqueline, and (especially) Robert are diving in the 1970's movie "The Deep." Such simplicity. Makes diving look like fun, doesn't it?

 

[TMHeimer]

Where are you diving in the ocean in Florida without fishing line or boat traffic?

Gulf of Mexico shore dives on the panhandle (mostly Destin area) Jan. through March, when it's "winter on the tundra". There are some fishermen, but I've almost never seen line UW--I try to stay clear of their areas. A few boats here and there--weekends & nice days. I use the dive flag where needed or required.

 

[Doc Harry]

I hear you Rx7, and don't disagree, but your way it not my way. It's all about personal risk analysis.

I used to free-climb 1,000-foot high cliffs with no rope back when I was young. I thrilled in moving up vertical rock wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and rock shoes.

But I don't do that anymore, and I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with diving with redudant gear. You know, if you get your buoyancy right you don't even notice that you're carrying another tank. Ever get into trouble by yourself? Even 30 feet is long ways when you have no air to breathe and no air in your lungs, either. That's not for me.

And I'm typically soloing down around 100-120 feet anyway, at the bottom of some cold reservoir, usually in complete darkness with 24 inches of visibility.

 

[AfterDark]

Where are you diving in the ocean in Florida without fishing line or boat traffic?

Thanks. I bring one knife just in case. On my my dives here in NS (majority of my total) I've never seen fishing line and almost never a boat. For my dives in the NY area and FL I may rethink this, though I've rarely seen these things at those sites.

He's talking NS Nova Scotia not FL. He goes on to say he's rethinking that for the FL...

My question to you is, what did you read?

I bring 2 of what I think I need to return from a dive. However there is nothing dangling or cluttering up my kit. My backup compass in a mini on my watch strap, that watch and the depth gauge on my console is the backup for the PDC. The spare mask is in a heavy mesh bag mounted on my B/P. Diving ID’s my secondary is the same as my primary. One knife is commando style on the left shoulder harness strap the backup is on my right thigh, the top covered by the shorts on the jacket. Above the knife on the left shoulder is a small light on a retractor clipped to my wing. The console is attached to a heavy locking retractor clipped low to the right harness strap D-ring. This keeps it off the bottom and close to my torso until I need it. The secondary LP hose is secured to the primary LP hose with 2 Velcro straps so I can find it without looking. A pocket on the waist strap right side contains a SMB/dive flag w/spool, a lift bag, whistle, signal mirror and Jon-line all attached to a line secured to the inside of the pocket. Nothing is dangling, dragging or hanging everything is accessible and secured.

 

[Kharon]

Addendum to my op--For the type of shallow 30' dives I described, how beneficial would the solo (or "self reliant") course be? I don't mean for general dive safety, but specifically for safety on these shallow solo dives. Nobody offers the course (to my knowledge) for a long ways from here anyway, but if I came across one on travels, would it be worth the money?

I don't think that taking the course is worth the money unless you need the card. Get the SDI Solo Diving Manual and study it. There is nothing in there that you need an instructor for except the card.

 

[rx7diver]

Added postscript to my post #12 in this thread.

Yes, Doc and AfterDark. I agree that soloing at 100-130 fsw/ffw is a different game (than soloing at 30 fsw/ffw), and requires a different approach.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I think the problem for the solo diver is not a 30 foot reef dive with no overhead and minimal gear. Nor is it a 130' dive with limited vis where you need abundant redundancy.

It more of an issue in making judgment calls as those 30 foot dives turn into 60-80ft dives and you start sliding down the slippery slope. It is very easy to lull yourself into complacency doing something you love and Murphy strikes without warning.

 

[TMHeimer]

I think the problem for the solo diver is not a 30 foot reef dive with no overhead and minimal gear. Nor is it a 130' dive with limited vis where you need abundant redundancy.

It more of an issue in making judgment calls as those 30 foot dives turn into 60-80ft dives and you start sliding down the slippery slope. It is very easy to lull yourself into complacency doing something you love and Murphy strikes without warning.

True. Unless a current takes me to 60' (none like that here) I won't ever do that. Monitor my depth gauge to the tune of OCS.

 

[lowviz]

Addendum to my op--For the type of shallow 30' dives I described, how beneficial would the solo (or "self reliant") course be? ...//...

I see a solo cert as an inland cert. It sometimes gives you access to solo diving on private property.

As for the course, if taken from the right instructor, it can be really good. They go over your gear and your reason for wanting to dive solo. The also quietly (secretly) assess your "attitude" as it relates to your own safety. Yeah, you get a book and answer a few questions. The real value comes from what the instructor thinks is important and how you act under several mildly stressful situations underwater. Usually task loading stuff. Much valuable discussion about hazards, many that you may not have thought about.

We won't go into how most NE Atlantic ocean dives are conducted...