Solo diving on Bonaire

[tursiops]

Does the PADI course require the conduct of a solo dive?

No, dive 3 "may be indirectly supervised," but it is not required.

 

[scubadada]

SDI, 2 dives, both supervised for skills demonstration

 

[redacted]

SDI, 2 dives, both supervised for skills demonstration

First dive was with the instructor in the water for some skills checks. 2nd dive was solo with the instructor on shore where he could observe th dive area while he worked on my wife's ean cert.

 

[scubadada]

First dive was with the instructor in the water for some skills checks. 2nd dive was solo with the instructor on shore where he could observe th dive area while he worked on my wife's ean cert.

Interesting, you did all your skills on one dive, deploy SMB from primary, deploy SMB from alternative gas source.....

 

[diver0008]

I do not think that Bonaire will change much from its freedom ways unless incidents begin to pile up. The locals seem content with it the way it is, as do the divers who return year after year, as I do. There is something truly special about being the master of your own destiny and totaly responsible for your own survival, beyond the very nature of scuba diving where you take your life into your own hands.

If solo divers on Bonaire start to get into emergencies, then things may change from a law enforcement point of view. Until then, the freedom for dive op's to run their business as they see fit is as valid as the diver who dives with the same prerogative.

I sure someone will try and screw up Bonaire one day.... I hate the fact that people have to say /do stuff that makes waves... Do we want Bonaire to turn into the nanny shops that seem to be all over the place... Bonaire, is what diving was before the lawyer and money hungry people got into it... Please leave this last place for us old school people that know how to have a safe time without a babysitter alone... Go to the keys or Caymans or any other place if you need a babysitter....

Jim...

 

[redacted]

Interesting, you did all your skills on one dive, deploy SMB from primary, deploy SMB from alternative gas source.....

I don't recall deploying a DSMB during my solo training.

 

[drrich2]

I did as part of the SDI Solo Diver course.

Richard.

 

[Kharon]

I thought I would post this so people don't get surprised.

Bonaire is sometimes referred to as the home of diving freedom. One context is with respect to solo diving. One of the larger firms on the island is now discouraging / preventing solo diving unless you have a TEC cert or a solo diving cert. You then have to sign a solo diver waiver.

I can confirm what the OP stated. One of the BIG dive ops on the island is starting to strongly discourage solo diving, even more than discourage in some instances.

It's Dive Friend's Bonaire. I rented a condo for my next trip and was going to get my dive package through them, but started getting @#$% about solo diving, and then they tried to sell me the solo diving course. They then told me the other operators on the island will be doing this as well. Needless to say, I booked my diving with another operator.

My sincere apologies. I don't know why DFB never even asks to see my cards, has me fill out a solo waiver, allows me to do my checkout solo, and never even looks at my equipment. I had to email them twice to get an answer about this issue. Here is their reply:

"Apologies for the late reply.

DFB did not change policy on Solo Divers: Like always, we require a certification and all of the equipment necessary."

This (new - regardless of what they say) policy puts me in an uncomfortable situation. My next trip I had planned to use them (again) and stay at Hamlet Oasis. No truck, just a scooter to dive at their other locations and for snorkeling, and of course, diving Cliff. Though I do have a SDI Solo card I hate the idea of scuba police. Especially when they are saying this is not a new policy but it's never been evident before. I'm going to have to look at other dive ops, if there are any, on either side of Cliff (Hamlet Oasis). I feel I need to vote with my feet (take my dollars elsewhere). This is a huge disappointment.

 

[tkaelin]

I received replies today from my inquiry to DFB last week. They also confirmed that their policy is not new and is what is required of every PADI dive school. Part of their response " . . . we are not unique in this regard. All dive schools following the PADI standards will require any solo divers to hold a self-reliant certification." My personal feeling is what they are now stating is nothing new and they are stating what they are required to state in response to a specific inquiry. I would not expect them, however, to be actively policing the policy by making random inquires when the question or issue has not been raised. I see their response and policy as no different for solo than it would be for any other specific inquiry ie can I rent tanks from you if I am not certified, can I rent nitrox if I am not nitrox certified etc. I don't see why this would cause any diver from not using DFB.

 

[scubadada]

I emailed Dive Friends an inquiry with regard to solo diving and got a generic reply. I am still trying to find out whether they teach and/or accept SDI Solo Diver (some of their instructors are SDI affiliated). I also asked for clarification regarding the Rescue Diver requirement. In addition, I queried whether they rented pony tanks, this was not included in their rental list.

We're not called "Diver's Paradise" for nothing - it's usually pretty easy to find a dive buddy here. If you would like to do solo shore diving, you will need to be a certified self-reliant diver (which is a course that we offer for divers with 100+ logged dives and Rescue level). We offer the course via PADI but it is no problem if your rescue certification is from another organization. During the Self-Reliant Diver program, you are trained to plan your dives so you can respond to emergencies independently, whether you are diving with a partner, team, or alone. Self-reliant divers practice until they are comfortable with self-rescue skills and carry redundant equipment so that in an emergency, the diver is equipped and prepared to react independently. To dive without a partner requires diligence and experience, and has a prerequisite of Advanced certification and proof of more than 100 dives. The course includes 3 days and takes 1 day to complete for $234 per person.

I have been Rescue certified since 2004 and finally got SDI Solo certified in 2013. I don't think this policy would affect me, but might give other divers pause. At the very least, this policy should be posted and widely known so as not to surprise divers visiting the home of diving freedom. I searched the Dive Friends website for "solo diving" and only found the offering of the PADI course.