Solo diving.. thoughts

[ArcticDiver]

I and many others have in one way or another tried to make the point that solo diving is not a goal to achieve. It isn't something to be done just to prove your skill, or your ability to conquer. In other words, in my opinion a person who sets out to do solo diving as an adventure, or to be macho, or smilar mindset is a danger to themself and those around them.

At the same time there is way too much emphasis on the reputed hazards of solo diving. Think about it. We all drive solo; and that is a very dangerous activity. Many ski. swim, hike and do lots of other activities solo. In fact standard procedure in many hazardous situations is to send in one(solo) person to check it out before commiting more people. Many hundreds of people live in remote areas where they need to be self-reliant.

BUT, if the idea of being by yourself and reliant on yourself underwater scares you don't do it. At the same time be careful that you don't assume you are safer just because someone else is with you. Having another diver with you is a lot like having two engines on an airplane; you have twice as many opportunities for failure than with one.

So, if it is natural for what you do dive with or without someone else. Always remember your safety depends on one person, you.

 

[Brian (Auburn)]

as a student in an SSI DIVECON course I also dive with students on a regular basis and I also see a non experianced diver as a liability in case of an emergency. as far as solo diving goes I think if you are comfortable with diveing on your own then more power to you

 

[Dive-aholic]

m and m, I don't know that stating PADI is dead set about buddies is an accurate statement. PADI teaches and encourages buddy diving, but I don't think I've read anything that outright condemns solo diving.

As for solo diving, if you decide to do it, always be redundant. It is necessary. If you get entangled and run out of air, even in 10' of water, that's 10' of water between you and a secondary air source if you're not redundant. Just something to think about...

 

[dazza dm]

I recently completed a N.A.C.D cavern course of which i very much enjoyed,i'm now contemplating diving solo,as it's hard to find anyone to dive with a cavern cert.

 

[abman]

i dive solo mainly because of the freedom that it gives me. not having to worry ab out where your buddy is (or isn't), what they are doing (or not doing), if they are in trouble (or not). you see what i'm talking about here? i always dive with a redundant system, either a pony bottle, when i'm diving with a single tank or with double regs on a manifold, when i'm diving doubles. either way, i'm totally responsibe for my saftey. i don't take foolish chances, and i understand my limitations. ive been diving since 1979, have over 2000+ logged dives. the only close calls that i've ever had have been when i have been diving with a buddy. i'd rather dive alone.i actually believe that it is safer. now, this doesn't mean that i'm not diving in the vicinity of other divers, just not joined at the hip. as far as hunting goes, i don't see how you can possibly spearfish when you are diving with a buddy. iv'e tried it in the past and it just don't work. i'm not saying that i won't dive with a buddy, but if given a choice i'd rather dive solo. when diving in the channel islands off of the truth aquatics boats, they let you dive solo if you want. they believe that you are all certified divers and responsible for you self and the choices that you make. i believe this as well. i know, not everybody is suited to or should dive solo. it is a choice, one that every diver should make for themselves. ken

 

[andydiver06]

What if you got narced and decided to give your reg to the fish? Or had a heart attack? or faced a shark attack or went OOA or wahtever other scenarios. If I'm doing pretty shallow dives < 10 m i would also like to dive solo than having a newbie. But as DM or Instructor your role is to take care of people . You are no longer having pleasure dives. If you are a photographer better to pay some guy to be your safety diver and look after you without disturbing than diving solo.

 

[Seuss]

What if you got narced and decided to give your reg to the fish? Or had a heart attack? or faced a shark attack or went OOA or wahtever other scenarios. If I'm doing pretty shallow dives < 10 m i would also like to dive solo than having a newbie. But as DM or Instructor your role is to take care of people . You are no longer having pleasure dives. If you are a photographer better to pay some guy to be your safety diver and look after you without disturbing than diving solo.

There is always an added element of risk with solo diving. However, those of us that dive in reality rather than make believe realize that things like shark attacks and cardiac arrest are not likely to happen. Safe solo diving is all about risk management. With fully redundant air (including redundant reg), an OOA is unlikely. Diving known sites at reasonable depths limits the likelyhood of getting narc'd. If I see a shark on a dive, I consider myself lucky.

Is there added risk diving solo? Sure. The biggest risk that cannot be overcome solo is the lack of two brains. From a lot of experience (diving, WSI, LI, mine rescue team, climbing rescue team, etc), I know how I react under stress in 'accident scenarios'. I am willing to accept the added risk in some cases. However, I would never recommend somebody else dive solo. Only you have any idea of how you will react when something goes wrong, and only you can decide if the increased risk of death is acceptable or not.

Just because I am a dive master does not mean that I can no longer have a life as a recreational/pleasure diver. When I work, I am a divemaster, and when I play, I try to remain a good role model, but I certainly have fun as well.

 

[Cacia]

Being an avid free diver is a huge plus for being a decent solo candidate. No one should really recommend it but if you do decide to do it, being very fit is a essential, IMO.

 

[Lake Mead Tony]

I'm with drbill, I do dive solo once in a while, when necessary, but I first have to know the area and then I rig my pony bottle with a reg and sling it to my BC. You have to remember that air is not your only concern. I have a few rules that I follow, like never diving deep, or never on a nite dive, cave diving, wreck diving, ect. You are putting your self in harms way, but then so is thinking we can survive underwater without gills!

 

[hudson_hawk]

hello all
im a new diver
ive had 23 open water dives
and have done over 70 in the pool . i just love being under water
i live in minnesota were our dive season is not long .
thats why im doing a dry suit certification
i will be solo dving this year
sence i dont have a dive buddy . i desided to do some solo dives .
i plan on doing a max of 25 feet in a very familure place
i want to do some under water photos of some very agresive blue gills
lol i hope i don't get eaten whis me luck
i do have a stag bottle i carry straped to my bc
and catherine96821 i bet you never have trouble finding a dive buddy
lol me bad
thanks all