all4scuba05
Contributor
There are great solo divers. Just as there are great "buddy divers". There's a thread on reaching your tank valve. Many advocate being a great buddy diver and at the same time stating that you must be able to reach your valve even though that's one of the reasons for having a good buddy.
Is it possible that solo divers are a little better at handling bad situations since they usually have the most redundancy and are not jumping into the ocean expecting or hoping that their buddy would bail them out? Chances are, a true solo diver would've performed more drills than a buddy diver. For example removing and redonning the gear underwater to fix a problem. Its probably a drill that solo divers should be more proficient at since they don't rely on a buddy. Lets say you're diving with your buddy at 80'. Vis is 2'. Now you're seperated for whatever reason. At this moment you ARE solo diving till you find him. OH no, some line is caught on some part of your tank. You go to cut the line but can't reach it. Well then its time to take atleast one arm out of the BC. A good solo diver would stand a better chance of not panicking, and would most likely be quicker or better at removing the gear. Why? Well truthfully, how many recreational divers actually condsider the removal a drill that needs to be practiced? Its like removing and replacing the mask. They did it for OW and thats it. Hoping they never have to do it again.
A good solo diver of all people should be practicing all drills necessary, after all he depends on redundancy and himself. Because there are many scenarios that can kill divers, there is no way that a solo diver is invincible. Yet in a real world emergency, what can a buddy do for you that you can't do for yourself? I don't think its much. But I'm sure you guys can name some right now.
Which diver would I prefer to dive with? A diver who's great at solo diving. He's redundant and used to diving alone so has less chances of panicking when he finds himself alone. Has already practiced lifesaving drills for the sake of surviving an emergency while diving solo. And if I'm as proficiant as him, then puttting us together is one hell of a team.
Point is...when it comes to teams of two, put two good solo divers together and chances are they'll be the better team.
I don't think most divers that exist are here on scubaboard. Here on Scubaboard are many great divers with inmense knowledge and expertise. And they don't even solo dive. But I don't think they represent the majority of divers in the world. Solo diving doesn't make you the best. But if you're a true solo diver, chances are you're ready for emergencies better than the average diver.
Is it possible that solo divers are a little better at handling bad situations since they usually have the most redundancy and are not jumping into the ocean expecting or hoping that their buddy would bail them out? Chances are, a true solo diver would've performed more drills than a buddy diver. For example removing and redonning the gear underwater to fix a problem. Its probably a drill that solo divers should be more proficient at since they don't rely on a buddy. Lets say you're diving with your buddy at 80'. Vis is 2'. Now you're seperated for whatever reason. At this moment you ARE solo diving till you find him. OH no, some line is caught on some part of your tank. You go to cut the line but can't reach it. Well then its time to take atleast one arm out of the BC. A good solo diver would stand a better chance of not panicking, and would most likely be quicker or better at removing the gear. Why? Well truthfully, how many recreational divers actually condsider the removal a drill that needs to be practiced? Its like removing and replacing the mask. They did it for OW and thats it. Hoping they never have to do it again.
A good solo diver of all people should be practicing all drills necessary, after all he depends on redundancy and himself. Because there are many scenarios that can kill divers, there is no way that a solo diver is invincible. Yet in a real world emergency, what can a buddy do for you that you can't do for yourself? I don't think its much. But I'm sure you guys can name some right now.
Which diver would I prefer to dive with? A diver who's great at solo diving. He's redundant and used to diving alone so has less chances of panicking when he finds himself alone. Has already practiced lifesaving drills for the sake of surviving an emergency while diving solo. And if I'm as proficiant as him, then puttting us together is one hell of a team.
Point is...when it comes to teams of two, put two good solo divers together and chances are they'll be the better team.
I don't think most divers that exist are here on scubaboard. Here on Scubaboard are many great divers with inmense knowledge and expertise. And they don't even solo dive. But I don't think they represent the majority of divers in the world. Solo diving doesn't make you the best. But if you're a true solo diver, chances are you're ready for emergencies better than the average diver.