ANY-ONE WHO SPENDS ANY OF THIER TIME UNDERWATER EITHER HUNTING OR PHOTOGRAPHY IS MOST LIKELY SOLO DIVING. WHEN SPEARFISHING IT IS MUCH EASIER TO CATCH ANYTHING WITH ONE IDIOT BLOWING BUBBLES INSTEAD OF TWO, AND WHO REALLY WATCHES THEIR BUDDY WHEN YOUR CONCENTRATING ON YOUR PREY OR THAT PERFECT PHOTO OF THAT SEA ANENOME.EVERYBODY HAS TO ASK THEMSELVES ''WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I WAS A TRUE BUDDY TO MY DIVE BUDDY AND NOT JUST A SAME OCEAN SAME DAY DIVER''
Solo diving for or against
- Thread starter solodiver
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wb416
Contributor
I've never solo dived below 75ft... so narcosis never seemed to be a factor....
but the only narcosis hit that I specifically remember (also my first hit) was on a buddy dive @ 125ft in 38°F water... it was definitely euphoric... I kept thinking to myself that I wanted to pull out my reg and grin at my buddy, but I figured that would freak him out so I resisted...
BTW... this had been my 2nd dive of the day (within 2hrs) to the same depth and on the 1st I'd felt "clear as a bell"...
sea nmf
Contributor
I hate to state the obvious, but when solo diving, if anything happens, you are the one who took the risk, so you are the one responsible.
Why is it so terrible to allow someone to take responsibility for their own actions, diving or otherwise?
When we were children, we needed our parents to hold our hands to cross a busy street. Now that we are adults, we can assess the street and cross it ourselves and most folks are fine with that.
I think the same should apply to diving. If you want to dive solo, go ahead! Everyone knows it is probably safer to dive with a buddy. But, really, not always.
That being said, since I'm a photographer, I guess I'm technically solo, as some have indicated. But my buddy is also a photographer and we are in the same water at the same time and usually within sight of each other. We know and accept this as a risk.
I like that we are taught buddy skills in class but as an adult, I like that I can cross a street alone if I want to, if you know what I mean.
Why is it so terrible to allow someone to take responsibility for their own actions, diving or otherwise?
When we were children, we needed our parents to hold our hands to cross a busy street. Now that we are adults, we can assess the street and cross it ourselves and most folks are fine with that.
I think the same should apply to diving. If you want to dive solo, go ahead! Everyone knows it is probably safer to dive with a buddy. But, really, not always.
That being said, since I'm a photographer, I guess I'm technically solo, as some have indicated. But my buddy is also a photographer and we are in the same water at the same time and usually within sight of each other. We know and accept this as a risk.
I like that we are taught buddy skills in class but as an adult, I like that I can cross a street alone if I want to, if you know what I mean.
JustAddWater
Guest
I have been on solo dives, but don't consider myself a solo diver. All of the dives have been shallow, and for a specific reason; like setting an anchor. A good point was brought up; that lobster hunting and spearfishing really don't epitomize buddy diving.
Rooster1
Guest
I have gone solo a few times, but find safer with a buddy. B]two tanks are better than one![/B]
Diving alone is not for everyone. I don't want to encourage anyone to solo dive. That being said, I solo dive every day. I cave dive alone all the time. I prefer diving alone, whether it's a 300fsw wreck or a 75ffw cave, I rely on myself, my gear, and my planning.
If someone is comfortable enough with their environment to solo, (with proper redundancy) have fun. If not, stay with your buddy
If someone is comfortable enough with their environment to solo, (with proper redundancy) have fun. If not, stay with your buddy
I usually work with a tender but for fun diving I like to dive with a buddy.
I like the interaction and sharing that comes from diving with someone with similar interests. A person who makes friends with the fish will not be a good buddy with a spearfisherman.
How about a show of hands;
How many people had done one (or more) dives where the entire dive was in a 5' radius of the touchdown point?
michael
I like the interaction and sharing that comes from diving with someone with similar interests. A person who makes friends with the fish will not be a good buddy with a spearfisherman.
How about a show of hands;
How many people had done one (or more) dives where the entire dive was in a 5' radius of the touchdown point?
michael
ScubaClicks
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I dive with some hard core photographers which can be just as bad.. They aren't paying attention to anyone but the fish and we just happen to be in the same water.
I also dive on my rebreather quote alot and then essentially I am solo in a group of Open Circuit divers.
I would say that for the "average" diver I am dead set against solo diving and here is why. The average diver gets wet only a few times per year and may not be comfortable in the water or with their equipment or the changing situations underwater.
However for an experienced, seasoned diver who gets wet regularly and has local knowledge and the required redunancy in all the equipment I would be supportive.
I also dive on my rebreather quote alot and then essentially I am solo in a group of Open Circuit divers.
I would say that for the "average" diver I am dead set against solo diving and here is why. The average diver gets wet only a few times per year and may not be comfortable in the water or with their equipment or the changing situations underwater.
However for an experienced, seasoned diver who gets wet regularly and has local knowledge and the required redunancy in all the equipment I would be supportive.
This is all very interesting. I am surprised how many supporters of Solo diving there are here.
I have done a lot of solo diving hundreds of dives. And for various reasons most of which have been pointed out here.
I once lived in a place called Puamana, Maui Hawaii right outside my door was my grocery store. I would come home from work. [Worked as a dive guide to Molokinin island] and instead of looking in the fridge [because with six roomies there was never nothing there] I would do a dive at a spot called shark pit. This was a 60 ft wall with lots of lava tubes coming out of it [caves built from lava flow] they were not big but you would swim in them in a facing up towards the surface and pluck dinner of the ceiling [lobster] then shoot a parrot fish on the way back and you had your feast. Start the rice before the dive and its ready when you get back.
Another type of solo diving I like I call a Zen dive, drop down till you get that euphoric feeling and hang there all alone watching the reef, fish etc. this is a very pleasant dive.
Another - training like someone pointed out I jump in the water often, maybe after a regular [buddies] dive or before. To make adjustments, practice a technique, or try some new reg or hat ever.
The final type is the unknown or surprise solo dive
Anytime I am in an OWD class and most AOW classes I am on my own, they arent going to help. Or when I am with a diver who drifts off to video or photo shoot. Or I have one good buddy who uses a rebreather, I am there solo.
On tech dives I equip myself and have the mental attitude that I am solo, yet part of a team. I depend on nobody under water, but if there is a real emergency that I somehow did not plan for then I have a team mate there. Divers that become lacks on their bottom time or ones who descend faster than me can expect to see me say bye bye both as a dive buddy and a future dive buddy [I make this clear before I dive with them] I follow a strict dive plan when I tech dive. Just to maintain good discipline
This is the way I solo. I am also a TDI / SDI Solo Diving Instructor
I have done a lot of solo diving hundreds of dives. And for various reasons most of which have been pointed out here.
I once lived in a place called Puamana, Maui Hawaii right outside my door was my grocery store. I would come home from work. [Worked as a dive guide to Molokinin island] and instead of looking in the fridge [because with six roomies there was never nothing there] I would do a dive at a spot called shark pit. This was a 60 ft wall with lots of lava tubes coming out of it [caves built from lava flow] they were not big but you would swim in them in a facing up towards the surface and pluck dinner of the ceiling [lobster] then shoot a parrot fish on the way back and you had your feast. Start the rice before the dive and its ready when you get back.
Another type of solo diving I like I call a Zen dive, drop down till you get that euphoric feeling and hang there all alone watching the reef, fish etc. this is a very pleasant dive.
Another - training like someone pointed out I jump in the water often, maybe after a regular [buddies] dive or before. To make adjustments, practice a technique, or try some new reg or hat ever.
The final type is the unknown or surprise solo dive
Anytime I am in an OWD class and most AOW classes I am on my own, they arent going to help. Or when I am with a diver who drifts off to video or photo shoot. Or I have one good buddy who uses a rebreather, I am there solo.
On tech dives I equip myself and have the mental attitude that I am solo, yet part of a team. I depend on nobody under water, but if there is a real emergency that I somehow did not plan for then I have a team mate there. Divers that become lacks on their bottom time or ones who descend faster than me can expect to see me say bye bye both as a dive buddy and a future dive buddy [I make this clear before I dive with them] I follow a strict dive plan when I tech dive. Just to maintain good discipline
This is the way I solo. I am also a TDI / SDI Solo Diving Instructor
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