Solo diving... thumbs up, thumbs down?

[Jandee]

I've done 2 deep solo dives in good viz. First one my husband had a rip in his neck seal. The second time he forgot his hood. On both occasions I was already in the water waiting for him and decided to go without him. I've done a few shallow solo dives dives. In 0-1 foot viz a buddy isn't much help in an emergency.

 

[noreastDIVER84]

I have done a few solo dives, most not because of choice, but because of a buddy darting off. If I had been at a site that I was not familiar with I would have ended the dive, but for a site I am familiar with I will continue a dive. I also prefer to go spearfishing solo as I don't have a buddy to either scare the fish away, or to worry about getting in the way at the wrong time.

 

[Garth]

Thanks for all the responses. I wanted to post this poll to see if there were other people that viewed solo diving the way I do. It seems as though a lot of the posts on scubaboard are of the type.. "if you solo dive you will die."
In my PADI classes for OW and AOW this was stressed to have a buddy. Adv. Nitrox and deco procedures seemed to stress self awareness, discipline and self responsibility in the event of separation or solo situation. I was just curious because the more I dive with other people the more particular I become on my buddy's ability and my own self awareness of safety. Some people scare me to be honest. Started noticing how people set up there gear and the direct correlation to their diving abilities.


on another note...
... i can't comment on solo diving CCR as I do not have any experience with this type of diving but it would seem to me that bailout is as important in both closed circuit and open circuit.

 

[Karl_H]

A thought to ponder.....If you don't have the skills and mindset to be a solo diver, can you really be a solid buddy?

Well said, anyone entering the water with a fixed mindset of relying on someone else for help is a potential accident waiting to happen....

Assistance from a buddy should be a bonus back-up rather than a required one, I normally do around half my dives solo as I generally prefer to dive alone than with buddies I don't know well. This may come back to bite me but statistically I'm a lot more confident in the chances of me having a major problem against me having a major problem due to a buddy I don't really know.....

I normally use twin isolated sidemount tanks for solo diving, plus I only tend dive warm water here in the Philippines (but it can get as low as 25/26C here in the winter - brrrrr.....) so I'd have to think a lot more before regularly going solo in cold water.

Karl

 

[lowviz]

Who solo dives, and who doesn't... and why for each?

I do. When my solid buddy isn't around I'm just fine with dropping in by myself. I make these my "zoned-out, no stress, good-Karma dives". Good exercise, upps the ante and keeps me on my toes in a pleasant way. Makes me a better buddy for later. 3 cutting tools, nothing extra, travel light and hang with the jellies.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I love diving with others.... and I love diving solo. I began diving solo at maybe my 10th dive after basic OW in 1976.... most of my dives are buddy dives, but solo is so much fun....

At this point, I'm unwilling to give either up...

Best wishes.

 

[Darnold9999]

Most of my diving is solo - I prefer it.

Don't have to worry where a buddy is, don't have to babysit anyone, don't have to chase anyone and most importantly I can do exactly what I want - change the plan mid dive, spend 10 minutes watching a single animal, take 20 shots of a nudi, whatever.

 

[Hammerhead]

Camera in hand - I'm solo. That's most of my dives taken care of.

 

[NJScubaSteve]

I dive solo. But just to be clear I go out on a boat with a group. Some refer to it as "same ocean-same day" buddy diving, a euphemism for solo diving as far as I'm concerned. I see other divers while I am down on the wreck, and at the end of the day there is lots to discuss and share with the group so it is still a very social activity. But I prepare for the dive as a solo diver.

 

[Walter]

When I am instructing, I consider myself a solo diver.

Why? .