Solo Diver Course Outline

[Alex777]

Just got back from a long, relaxing solo dive at Eden Rock and, to keep the mind occupied, decided to solve the question: What should a Solo Diving Course consist of? Here is my suggested course outline:

1) Surreptitious Water Entry: students must perform, to demonstration quality, a solo water entry unobserved by any LDS personnel or officious bystanders.

2) Unwelcome Question Deflection: students must demonstrate a good familiarity witrh the standard successful responses to questions such as: "Did you have a buddy out there??" Example: "That depends on what you mean by 'buddy'. Can you be more precise?" (If you get a responsive answer, counter with "And what exactly do you mean by 'have'?")

3) Dive Team Exit Merging: students will learn to perform water exits at opportune moments when other divers are also exiting. Points will be awarded for light banter with divers (whom you have never met) as you stroll towards the rinse tank under observation. (Example: "Wow! Did you see the size of that green moray?" Answer: "Who the %^#*! are you?")

These are the skills a solo diver needs. It is only by constant practice and overlearning that survival can be assured.

You're welcome ...

 

[Diver Dennis]

I love the answers about having a buddy. I do the same thing...

 

[Mike Veitch]

so when i ask the boat driver to stop and say: "hey, let me out here, i will put up a sausage so you can find me in an hour, i will go that way"

is that stealthy enough or?

What about this as an answer to the buddy question: Why yes, my buddy is Mr Nikon here

 

[Alex777]

Those seem quite promising. (Did you note how quickly I have morphed into an expert on this subject? I love ScubaBoard.)

Breathing patterns are important - if someone challenges: 'Why are you diving by yourself?" clap your hand to your chest, pant a bit, and say "Sorry, I have to catch my breath" as you hop into your SUV and gun the engine ...

 

[divemaster_jim]

Should it be called stealth diving instead of solo?

 

[Mike Veitch]

i think it should be called "diving in peace and quiet so your photography is not bothered by some jackash trying to get a look at what you are taking a picture of..."

 

[Kangy]

2) Unwelcome Question Deflection: students must demonstrate a good familiarity witrh the standard successful responses to questions such as: "Did you have a buddy out there??" Example: "That depends on what you mean by 'buddy'. Can you be more precise?" (If you get a responsive answer, counter with "And what exactly do you mean by 'have'?")

I like to go with "my buddy got eaten by a huge shark" either that or play it off that my immaginary friend was diving with me and accuse the person asking the question of not being worthy of seeing him.

3) Dive Team Exit Merging: students will learn to perform water exits at opportune moments when other divers are also exiting. Points will be awarded for light banter with divers (whom you have never met) as you stroll towards the rinse tank under observation. (Example: "Wow! Did you see the size of that green moray?" Answer: "Who the %^#*! are you?")

You should get bonus points if you merge yourself with an open water class without the instructor noticing, and automatic certification if you make it all the way through the debrief.

 

[tc]

No, no, no! This is a terrible outline, you're missing one of the most important elements of solo training- You MUST teach them in the proper methods for accusing the questioner of being a member of the Scuba Police! This is absolutely mandatory for any persistent jerks that feel they are actually entitled to tell me how to dive. The accusation seems to be most effective on those that ask where your other "team member" is rather than where your buddy is, haven't figured that one out but it works!

Tom

 

[Diver Dennis]

You should get bonus points if you merge yourself with an open water class without the instructor noticing, and automatic certification if you make it all the way through the debrief.

You have to laugh when you are taking a few pictures when a group of divers comes by. They silt up the bottom, as usual and you move away. You spot something else to shoot but then you look back and realize half the divers from the group are following you....

 

[tc]

Stealing students from classes is great fun.
Just plant them in the path of the class later in the dive, get clear of the area and watch the fun!