Solo diving certification

[Doc Harry]

The only reason that I got the SDI Solo was to have a card to show when solo diving is allowed.

If solo diving isn't allowed.... Well, a creative solo diver has ways of getting around the rules.

 

[tstormdiver]

I have not been solo certified, but have been certified AN/DP & Full Cave. I am also a solo instructor. I have never dove solo outside of the local quarry which only requires solo or a technical certification to dive solo.

 

[Akimbo]

This. Not worth wasting time with nanny operations.

I concur. Operators that don't allow solo are often (not always) going to be geared for newbies and tourists.

 

[sportxlh]

I have an SDI solo certification and most of the dive operators in Florida will let me dive solo. Scubadada: as you probably know from the Florida forum, I dive with Jupiter Dive Center most of the time and those dives are almost always solo, though occasionally I'll hang with the guide or dive with a friend, but not in lobster season and not when I'm taking pictures. A few shops in the Keys that are not geared for newbies do let me dive solo on the deeper wrecks regardless of the certification, including my favorite Upper Keys shop. But that is not consistent either, some Keys shops will allow solo dives on the deeper wrecks.

 

[oldschoolto]

What are all these cards you guys are talking about ? I only got a AOW card so I could get tanks filled and go pass 60' ft... My check dive include a complete gear exchange without warning... He just took his mask off and handed it to me... Second dive he handed me a 40 cf tank and a bailout reg and said... You can dive this... LOL..

 

[Nemrod]

I have an SDI solo certification and most of the dive operators in Florida will let me dive solo. Scubadada: as you probably know from the Florida forum, I dive with Jupiter Dive Center most of the time and those dives are almost always solo, though occasionally I'll hang with the guide or dive with a friend, but not in lobster season and not when I'm taking pictures. A few shops in the Keys that are not geared for newbies do let me dive solo on the deeper wrecks regardless of the certification, including my favorite Upper Keys shop. But that is not consistent either, some Keys shops will allow solo dives on the deeper wrecks.

Could you please PM me your favorite Keys shops that allow solo with the Solo card? Could be useful in a couple of weeks for me.

Thanks.

N

 

[Doc Harry]

I have an SDI solo certification and most of the dive operators in Florida will let me dive solo.

I have had quite the opposite experience, in WPB, Miami, the Keys. My solo card is worthless in Florida, so I team up with a couple to form a group of three, and let them know that I going solo once we get head wet.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Solo instructors are not required to have ever (not even once) dove solo in open water (i.e., the ocean)?


And we wonder why dive operators might not "respect" solo certifications when taking people out to wrecks in deeper water?

 

[oldschoolto]

Just a piece of paper, They can charge you for... That's about par for the course..

Jim..,

 

[BFRedrocks]

I am beginning the process of getting my PADI self reliant card and have a trip planned in a few weeks. However, I was told that the Caribbean destination I am going to does not allow solo diving. Not saying there aren't ways around that, but the dive operator I will be with doesn't allow it, so I won't question it. Plus, I'll be there with my wife, so unless she balks at the 4-5 dives per day schedule, I have no desire to dive solo that week anyway.