solo diver is better?

[dive_lover88]

I think it really depends on the situations and circumstances.

Darren

 

[Jason Ooi]

Yes; depends any circumstances and situations, but safety skills is mandatory.

I think it really depends on the situations and circumstances.

Darren

 

[all4scuba05]

There are some good points from both sides. One of the benefits of solo diving is is less task loading. I don't have to keep an eye on anyone else which in itself is a blessing when vis is less than optimal. Isn't it nice to be able to take pics underwater without having to stop and check how your buddy is doing or where he is in relation to you? Bottom line is that it depends on the circumstances anyway, there are times when buddy diving is better, and there are times when the best dives you'll ever have were solo.

 

[Brewone0to]

If you aren't doing it better,more efficiently,
and with better mental control.
Then you sure don't need to be doing it solo.
Just my 2psi
Also, when I dive with a buddy(even one I regularly dive with)
I consider us as two soloist enjoying our fair sport.
It's not that I don't consider myself a decent buddy,but most people I know and dive with,would in the case of some event unfolding, rather go about performing a self rescue,with their buddy hovering close by
I also feel that the only two situations where a buddy can help you is an OOA (which should just never happen)and a blackout,which I guess is the only REAL reason to dive with a buddy(Unless you find yourself in need of some bait to get away from a school of sharks or the likes)

 

[matt_unique]

I usually dive solo and disagree. To make an excellent buddy diver takes a long time. To make an excellent buddy team takes even longer. A good buddy always knows exactly where you are and never changes course, or depth or does something unusual without letting you know. A good buddy team can communicate with very few signals and they can anticipate each others actions. They instictively know who is the leader and their separation distance is governed by depth and visibility without even thinking about it. They also work well together when getting gearing up.

Examples of buddy teams are very experienced photographers and models. They have a complex and detailed job that requires a high degree of communication. You can not just pick any old solo diver and expect him/her to immediately fall into place. Other teams I have witnessed are good hunters. Good buddy teams also have to have one common objective, not two people out to have a good time underwater.

Solo divers are probably better than your average diver (whatever that means) but there is no substitute for experience as diving together as a team. The very best buddy divers are buddy divers.

You're assuming solo divers don't know how to be good buddies or lack experience diving with a buddy. Most solo divers I know practice both.

--Matt

 

[H2Andy]

in fact, i am a much better buddy diver than i am a solo diver (hence my self-imposed
restrictions when solo)

 

[Soggy]

You're assuming solo divers don't know how to be good buddies or lack experience diving with a buddy. Most solo divers I know practice both.

--Matt

The problem is that a team mentality and a solo mentality are so completely different that it is next to impossible to be good at both. Someone who believes that solo diving is 'better' or 'safer' has the wrong mentality to function well in a team diving environment. *Some* can cross-over and do it well, but in my experience that is definitely the exception rather than the rule.

 

[H2Andy]

The problem is that a team mentality and a solo mentality are so completely
different that it is next to impossible to be good at both.

at the same time, yes

but on different dives, i don't see why not

i dive solo AND i dive as a buddy in caves. i am a pretty decent buddy
(but then again, i am blessed with pretty decent buddies myself)

i think i can figure out if i am with somebody else and in overhead by the
time the dive starts... not tough to do... for me... anyway.... eyebrow

 

[Soggy]

To be blunt, buddy diving in Florida caves is pretty darn easy. The cave environment makes it fairly easy to keep track of each other. The trick comes when you are dealing with 5 ft of vis throughout the dive in the open ocean with currents and surge on a disorienting wreck. Then, it requires a bit more effort and team skill.

You may very well be good at it, Andy. I'm just saying that, in my experience, there are very few good solo diver teammates. Every dive that you do solo is a dive where you aren't honing team skills.

 

[H2Andy]

To be blunt, buddy diving in Florida caves is pretty darn easy.

i agree with you, but fundamental buddy diving skills are the same, no matter
what the environment.

Every dive that you do solo is a dive where you aren't honing team skills.

in my case that'd be about 10 dives out of 210-ish

as i said, i am a much better buddy diver than a solo diver. i probably need
to dive more solo to get better at it.