halemanō;5798022:
solo dive definitions?
- Thread starter waterpirate
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Every dive I do is a solo dive. This doesn't mean I won't accept help or offer it if the situation arises. What it means is I dive completely self-sufficient and do not count on anyone else bailing me out of any situation. I encourage all my students to dive the same way, solo or not.
FWIW, almost every solo dive I've done is solo cave diving. I've passed other people in the cave, but just because there's more than one person in the cave doesn't mean anything. When there's over 10,000 of passage, I may never see another diver. And when I dive solo, I plan my gas to save myself, no one else. That means I don't dive thirds. Sometimes I'll dive 1/4s. Sometimes I'll turn even sooner. I've done dives in which I start my exit with over 200cf of gas in my tanks, but it's all mine!
FWIW, almost every solo dive I've done is solo cave diving. I've passed other people in the cave, but just because there's more than one person in the cave doesn't mean anything. When there's over 10,000 of passage, I may never see another diver. And when I dive solo, I plan my gas to save myself, no one else. That means I don't dive thirds. Sometimes I'll dive 1/4s. Sometimes I'll turn even sooner. I've done dives in which I start my exit with over 200cf of gas in my tanks, but it's all mine!
Hemlon
Contributor
ooops...blond moment
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
halemanō;5798022:If I'm your last chance for survival, you better understand the part about exhaling!
Quote of the day!When I'm solo, I'm solo, only diver in the water, often the only person on the beach.
I think it is more likely that I'd need to help a diver / swimmer on the surface as I enter or exit the water, so I have given some thought to how I could best do this at the local sites I dive. I have a hard plastic "torpedo"-style float I use for my dive flag, so I can give the diver / swimmer in distress something "floaty" to grab on to as I tow them in.
As far as reserving air for another diver as part of my "plan" when diving solo?
Nope.
I'm with halemano on that. I dive pretty conservatively, and even when solo in most cases would have plenty of air to get myself and another diver to the surface; but if not, I'll happily "point the way" as I release your weightbelt
(Just kidding).Best wishes.
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Solo to me means there is no one to look at the "card", being on a dive charter, isn't even close. So diving conservatively is an absolute must- even a marine sting might be a real problem to get back onto the boat when your alone.
I have seen a few western Europeans on holidays, toting even DM cards, who don't look even comfortable on the surface really, then their tugging at you, making the buddy up sign FFS!
- had this one french rooster(DM) in thailand, who chugged down a 15litre nitrox bottle in 22 minutes in 16meters( I later told him to see a doctor, as he was a smoker and explained to him this was Dyspnea, it is often a first symptom of lung cancer or emphysema), then he's buddy breathing off the dive leader. Next dive I squirreled away into another group! Another Frenchman, but very good this time, ex-army chopper pilot, learned a few "tricks" from Franc.
So, I would really say having good saltwater skills from young age, doing things like swimming, surfing and skin diver/spearfishing- which tends to be those people which live in warmer climates 18*c+ water temp.
You do learn more from diving in large groups, then solo, because you get "free lessons" in what not to do!
For me solo is a lot more fun and easier, it means me driving my boat 50kms to my nearest coral reefs, anchoring up and doing dives absolutely unsupported- except logging in with the local VMR. Without distractions I can then focus 100% to perfect my dive plans and get more out of my dive- I even use less air without a buddy.
Cheers,
Damo'
Ps- confidence doesn't change the facts, but without it your at a real disadvantage.
Life is DANGEROUS, some people live it like it's a rehearsal for the "real thing". You only got one, so you better enjoy it.
I have seen a few western Europeans on holidays, toting even DM cards, who don't look even comfortable on the surface really, then their tugging at you, making the buddy up sign FFS!
- had this one french rooster(DM) in thailand, who chugged down a 15litre nitrox bottle in 22 minutes in 16meters( I later told him to see a doctor, as he was a smoker and explained to him this was Dyspnea, it is often a first symptom of lung cancer or emphysema), then he's buddy breathing off the dive leader. Next dive I squirreled away into another group! Another Frenchman, but very good this time, ex-army chopper pilot, learned a few "tricks" from Franc.
So, I would really say having good saltwater skills from young age, doing things like swimming, surfing and skin diver/spearfishing- which tends to be those people which live in warmer climates 18*c+ water temp.
You do learn more from diving in large groups, then solo, because you get "free lessons" in what not to do!
For me solo is a lot more fun and easier, it means me driving my boat 50kms to my nearest coral reefs, anchoring up and doing dives absolutely unsupported- except logging in with the local VMR. Without distractions I can then focus 100% to perfect my dive plans and get more out of my dive- I even use less air without a buddy.
Cheers,
Damo'
Ps- confidence doesn't change the facts, but without it your at a real disadvantage.
Life is DANGEROUS, some people live it like it's a rehearsal for the "real thing". You only got one, so you better enjoy it.
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When I solo dive I carry enough air with me that I could probably support two additional divers on an ascent. It's not that I plan it that way ... it's just that gas is cheap, and I'd prefer to bring way more than I need than to find myself in a situation where I realized I didn't have enough. I'll typically end my dives with 1000 psi or more in my main tank(s), plus a full AL40 bailout.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
OP
waterpirate
Contributor
There is a real differance between solo and same day same ocean as has been pointed out. The problem is with the card. A truly solo dive does not require a card by definition. Who would check it? If you are solo where there is someone to check the card, then you must assume that another diver or team may be encountered at that location or during the dive.
It takes people to make the boat go. Unless you are fortunate enough to have six same day same ocean like minded people allways on your charter you run the risk of encountering the unexpected.
Eric
It takes people to make the boat go. Unless you are fortunate enough to have six same day same ocean like minded people allways on your charter you run the risk of encountering the unexpected.
Eric
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Like yeah, show me your buss pass, Kid! lol
As that other guy pointed out, if you are unsure about solo diving, your definite not ready!
Two points to this are- experience and competence-overcoming come the fobes'
Some people will need to hold hands, all their lives, because their just plain too scared when they are alone, in the dark of nite with only fantasy as their backup aka- "sky Daddy".
:depressed:
On the hand if you BS yourself about your level of experience, it could lead to some real drama.
VooDooGasMan
Contributor
Like halemano thinks, also a divemaster card, most every dive I do is solo, single tank, or doubles. If its real deep I bring a big pony with high octane of 02.
The times on holiday on charters, I would be a third and drift off, would not really demand to be solo. after awhile the group catches on.
You could buddy with a photogapher and then just keep going and maybe ya hook up.
when a divemaster in the water with the group its not all that hard to solo, the guide keeps divers close together.
And yea I have plenty of air at the end, its easier for me to fill my tanks when there not on E. yet I am always down long enough to get cold.
Happy Diving
The times on holiday on charters, I would be a third and drift off, would not really demand to be solo. after awhile the group catches on.
You could buddy with a photogapher and then just keep going and maybe ya hook up.
when a divemaster in the water with the group its not all that hard to solo, the guide keeps divers close together.
And yea I have plenty of air at the end, its easier for me to fill my tanks when there not on E. yet I am always down long enough to get cold.
Happy Diving
w ripley
Contributor
Same as most replys: I solo without a card.
I think many of the cards out there are stupid, but got a DPV Cave card recently (after diving caves with one for 10 years) because Ginnie started requiring same. Lucky the dive boat and quarry I visit know me, or else I would be in a pickle without a solo card.
Solo Card: It's a stupid card, but if you need one to open doors then you need one.
I think many of the cards out there are stupid, but got a DPV Cave card recently (after diving caves with one for 10 years) because Ginnie started requiring same. Lucky the dive boat and quarry I visit know me, or else I would be in a pickle without a solo card.
Solo Card: It's a stupid card, but if you need one to open doors then you need one.
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