Solo diving.. thoughts

[waterpirate]

Hi M and M,
As echoed in many of the threads here, solo diving is a personal decision and liability. So many threads appear looking for the recipe to become a solo diver, there is not one. It is not another card or feather in a cap. It is a serious personal commitment to oneself. Read the other posts in this forum and you will get an understanding of what it means to be self reliant. Consider the pitfall of many training agencies in regard to certifications, if you are a certified rescue diver and are diving on a boat with less experienced divers, they will look to you to solve their problems and be responsible for them, I do not need or want that responsibility, I dive for me, I dive solo. In another thread we discussed what you need to work out for yourself before you even consider solo diving, and that their really is no quick way or road map to get there.
dive safe

 

[Amphibious]

if you have to ask..... then you're not ready.

90% of my diving is solo, and I enjoy the experience over a buddy dive any day. I dive like Dr. Bill, large capacity single on my back, and an AL30 bailout slung like a stage.

H-valves are redundant regs, NOT redundant gas supplies. doubles is a lot of gas to pack around for recreational, non-deco diving, and an isolator expands on your points-of-failure.

you are putting your life solely in your hands in the event of a problem. then is no one there to help you.

 

[mgersch@cox.net]

I have been contimplating diving solo as well.

I carry redundant air supply, redundant regulators, redundant lights, redundant masks, and redundant computers.

However, the one thing that you can't carry two of is your brain. We are human. No one is perfect, and if we dive enough eventually, eventually, we will make a mistake.

It's good to have someone there that can say; hey moron, what are you doing? The exit is the other way!!!!

 

[Amphibious]

Rendundant computers - there is no need. UNLESS you are using them for Deco diving. if you are recreational solo diver and you computer craps out you call the dive acend slowly. something as simple as a 15' mark on your line (reel) will tell you where to do your safety stop. shoot a bag, and mellow out for a few 100psi. a second computer would be nice, IF you've got the funds, but not really needed.

this thread really belongs in the Solo Section.

 

[RockPile]

if you have to ask..... then you're not ready.

2d. Not ready.

JB

 

[mgersch@cox.net]

Rendundant computers - there is no need. UNLESS you are using them for Deco diving. .

I am.
Actually, I use my newer computer for Deco and the older nitrox computer as a backup timing device in gauge mode only (so it doesn;t get bent).

My point was not that you need two computers, rather that its good to have a second brain around for when you eventually make a mistake.

this thread really belongs in the Solo Section.

I agree.

 

[RockPile]

My point was not that you need two computers, rather that its good to have a second brain around for when you eventually make a mistake.

That's three brains by my count. I guess it's not a bad impulse but beware of the line separating redundant and unnecessary. I think, if you know your tables well, one good computer is more than sufficient.

JB

 

[mgersch@cox.net]

If your only timing device fails, then you don't know how long you have been down and how long you need to deco ect...

Tables only work as a backup IF you have an accurate timing device.

If you only have one timing device, and you are diving solo, and it fails, you would be in a lot of trouble making guesses at how long you have been down, have you exceeded your NDL, how long do you need to deco ect...

I think if you are diving solo and you could be anywhere near your no deco limit, then you need a backup timing device.

 

[RockPile]

I notice you've changed your choice of words from "computer" to "timing device."

If you mean a watch and a computer when you say "two computers," then yes, I agree. While I always dive with a watch, I only sometimes have a computer.

Also, for the sake of argument, if my watch ever stopped working I would definitely have an idea of how long I've been down. I would then end the dive with a very conservative interpretation of the tables.

Good luck diving.

JB

 

[deeper thoughts]

I have my own boat so sometimes i have a non diver on board and i dive solo, all of these dives are in shallow reefs where i would be comfortable making a free ascent, also i make sure to always know where the boat is.