Solo diving... thumbs up, thumbs down?

[diverdoug1]

In answering the op question "why do you solo dive?" I solo dive when I want to dive and there is no one available to dive that I want to / trust to dive with. I take my boat out into the GOM frequently, and often only have one other person with me. We take turns diving, because I don't like to leave the boat unattended while I am in the water. Also, other than my wife (who has the patience of Job), there are few divers who want to hang around while I do macro photography. I frequently take over 30 min. to set-up or wait for a photo op. With the exception of a select few buddies, I feel my personal risk level is lower when solo diving. I also don't have to be worried about paying attention to a dive partner when solo diving. Is there the possibility that I could have a catastrophic medical event prohibitive of self rescue? Sure, but my risk of springing from this mortal coil is much higher when I am riding my motorcycle to work in rush hour traffic. MY risk is higher when I am flying IFR conditions. My risk is higher solo fishing 100 miles off the coast in a 28' boat. I do pay attention to risk/benefit ratios, but my level of risk aversion does not prohibit me from doing these activities that I like to do. I don't want to take risks just for the heck of it, It's just that my greater fear is not doing the activities I enjoyed and the regretting it if I get old(er).

 

[helimvee]

While this is only a SB poll, it is interesting that in a sport that "by the book" is a buddy/group activity, over 80% of the respondents say that they have done a solo dive.

I took the SDI Solo course, as well as the PADI Rescue course, because I wanted to be a better diver and a better dive buddy not because I intended on diving solo. I now dive solo when my buddy can't dive.

While there are a lot of opinions about solo diving and the solo course, for me the experience has had more of an impact than the AOW and Rescue courses did. It also got me interested in the technical-side of scuba. Has it made me a better diver/dive buddy? I think so, but for an unbiased opinion you would need to ask my buddy - and I am sure he will be along shortly to add his opinion.

 

[Seaduced]

About a third of my dives are solo. When the water turns cold, my wife/buddy stays on the beach.

As for other buddies, most won't go to Mexico anymore... /rant /rant /rant Whew, almost got carried away...

I enjoy beach solo dives more, because they are longer. I can suck the last cu.ft. of air out of my tank. When I am on a boat, even though I can dive solo, I still have to be aboard before she pulls out.

For a competent, properly equipped diver they aren't riskier than a buddy dive.

 

[trappist]

I did... a couple times even... Funny enough, my first solo dive, I always looked back and sideways to double check if someone was following me
It was a great experience ! Alone, means no one to take care of, other than myself (des it sound selfish ?)... Second dive, I felt better already, got entangled in my own flag line... nothing so far that would indicate I wouldn't d it again

 

[diverdoug1]

While this is only a SB poll, it is interesting that in a sport that "by the book" is a buddy/group activity, over 80% of the respondents say that they have done a solo dive

Interesting yes, but I don't think that it is supprising. I don't think people tend to always do things "by the book" once they starting getting comfortable with a situation. How long did you have your drivers license before you broke the speed limit?

 

[jvevea]

Interesting yes, but I don't think that it is supprising. I don't think people tend to always do things "by the book" once they starting getting comfortable with a situation. How long did you have your drivers license before you broke the speed limit?

What I'm curious about is how many of us prefer solo diving, as opposed to being willing to dive solo on occasion. Most of my diving is solo now, simply because I enjoy the solitude and can participate fully in my dives in a way that I can't when the bulk of my attention is on the welfare of my buddy.

 

[diverdoug1]

For me, it really depends on the buddy. When my wife can dive with me, she really helps me find good photo subjects, and helps me set up shots and models. She stays close, and has 900 dives. She is one of the few people who I rather dive with instead of diving solo.

 

[Red Dragon]

I solo Dive to get some steam out of my system,,,

The only time I feel relaxed is when I am underwater!!!

 

[farsidefan1]

First choice is my wife for buddy. If she is "dived out" and we are in the tropics - and I'm ALWAYS in the tropics then I'm solo. Most, nearly all, my solo dives have been at resorts that I'm very familiar with. At Cocoview I don't hesitate a moment. No current, I know it like the back of my hand....I don't go into wrecks solo, no overhead environments at all and I don't think I've ever exceeded 70 feet solo. And I am getting more, not less conservative in my dodering old age.

As to why? Is this a trick question? I love to dive and if I don't have a buddy I know I prefer to either go solo or, in the case of a liveaboard, I'll buddy up with a divemaster if no one else is with us.

 

[deepwater]

This has become another entertaining thread. I wonder about all the excuses I read. I only did it once, I only do it if my wife won't dive, I only do it in cold or warm water, I do it to clear my head, Everyone of us has the ready justification for doing the thing that we want to do. My favorites are the limit stops....I only go 30fsw, or 70fsw. I only go in shallow caves or wrecks that are right side up. I wonder if my second death will be any diffrent, from the first, if I have a justification this time. I do it just because it's what I do...

dw