Solo diving?

[drbill]

But before I do, I have set myself 2 challenges:

1) Dive 100 consecutive dives without an incident invoving myself
2) Become SDI Solo certified

Actually, you would probably be better prepared for solo diving if you HAD an incident or two before trying it. It gives you a chance to test how cool you are under stressful conditions. To me this is a big factor in determining a person's readiness for solo diving... and you never know how you will really react until you have to react to an unanticipated incident.

 

[captain]

Actually, you would probably be better prepared for solo diving if you HAD an incident or two before trying it. It gives you a chance to test how cool you are under stressful conditions. To me this is a big factor in determining a person's readiness for solo diving... and you never know how you will really react until you have to react to an unanticipated incident.

Right, like getting hit by a boat anchor while trying to avoid being sucked into a hydro electric plant intake grate, oh before solo, never mind, that happened while I was solo.

 

[Cacia]

you want to limit your self to diving in completely tangle free environments at depths no more than twice as deep as the depth to which you can freedive and limit yourself to profiles well within the no decompression limits

that is what I do, I had never heard it described. I have to say, I absolutely have had my best experiences alone because it can be like meditation. I know that part might be a little dangerous, which is why I will never be a candidate for deep, solo dives, even with redundant air. I have described it as like drinking and knowing your limit. To dink around at 60 ft or so with my camera and not have to think about anyone else's needs is just heaven. But I am very conservative and don't push my luck too much. Also, I would never dive solo in poor viz or anywhere entanglement could be a risk.

Some of us who dive this style are actually usually enjoying other diver's company but just would rather leave our options open if we see something or feel like exploring a bit. If you do decide this is for you, I suggest maybe hanging out under the boat for awhile as opposed to shore diving solo, where a current could impede your way back.

Great you moved the thread because it is better people see this as an exception to the rule, and we solo folks don't have to be so defensive.

 

[drbill]

Right, like getting hit by a boat anchor while trying to avoid being sucked into a hydro electric plant intake grate, oh before solo, never mind, that happened while I was solo.

Not exactly what I had in mind. I assume this was in jest, but it seems to negate what I think is a very important point in solo diving... knowing how you react to unexpected incidents. I doubt I'd be doing as much solo diving as I do if I hadn't had experiences which tested my reaction. I discovered I was quite calm and logical.

It would not be a good time for a diver to discover they panic when they are solo diving. Best to do so when you are buddied up... although I hope the buddy is up to it if you do.

You can have all the redundancy you want, but if you don't react with reasonable calm in a situation, that equipment may do you no good.

 

[Cacia]

I have the feeling captain is always calm, just a hunch.

 

[waterpirate]

Solo diving and the inherant risks should be considered at great lenghths before you even start. My advice read every thread in solo diving forum. Read solo diving by Mayer sp? Lurk around in here and ask questions. Configure your personal gear to be redundant and save you. And ease into the pool, do not jump into the deep end.
Eric

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Also, whenever possible, think about and anticipate what could go wrong well in advance in order to develop an effective and almost automatic solo response. If something does go wrong, knowing what to do about it will go a long way toward keeping you calm and will assist you in quickly and successfulyl resolving the problem.

And during the dive, constantly update your assessemnt of the conditions and your abilites at that particular dive. If you feel yourself getting to close the edge of your personal envelope - back off a bit, even if it means aborting the dive.

 

[captain]

Not exactly what I had in mind. I assume this was in jest, but it seems to negate what I think is a very important point in solo diving... knowing how you react to unexpected incidents. I doubt I'd be doing as much solo diving as I do if I hadn't had experiences which tested my reaction. I discovered I was quite calm and logical.

It would not be a good time for a diver to discover they panic when they are solo diving. Best to do so when you are buddied up... although I hope the buddy is up to it if you do.

You can have all the redundancy you want, but if you don't react with reasonable calm in a situation, that equipment may do you no good.

No, it wasn't in jest it actually happened to me. All the information said the dam was not generating, just about the time I realized it was and I was in the suction current along comes a dragging boat anchor,hits me on my forearm. Luckly it didn't hit my head. Once I recovered from the surprise I swam 90 degrees to the current until I got out of it. I was on the bottom in about 20 feet and 3 to 4 foot vis.

 

[homo maris]

Actually, you would probably be better prepared for solo diving if you HAD an incident or two before trying it. It gives you a chance to test how cool you are under stressful conditions. To me this is a big factor in determining a person's readiness for solo diving... and you never know how you will really react until you have to react to an unanticipated incident.

Interesting point. I agree but it is hard to experience if you plan your dives well and are not cursed.

I train for incidents. When in a pool I ask folks to surprise me by turning off my air or ripping my second stage off my mouth so that I build memory of incidents and practice think, plan, act. But it is not the same as I anticipate it. I have not found a DM or buddy willing to do that to me on a resort dive. I plan to take the rescue course before the solo course, expecting to work through scenarios.

I know a little about how I react in unplanned situations. I have been trapped under an avalanche, lost light over a 50m pit while spelunking and fell 30m lead climbing. Each time, I kept calm but I know that it does not prepare for the panic feeling of running out of air. The fears and emotions are different and that is part of my concern.

I have helped 2 people who were OOA. Both got bent because their panicked (one shot to the surface instead of breathing from my octo and 1500psi air left). They were otherwise cool headed folks above water and experienced, but they told me afterwards that knowing there was air at the surface was stronger than knowing the risk of being bent. I also read that through the story of the Rousses (The Last Dive).

From caven diving I have aslo leaned that you solve your problems under water, going to the surface is obviously not an option. Perhaps it is a good preparation for solo diving. I plan to become full cave certified eventually. I don't know if solo comes before or after.

Regardless of skills and redundant equipment, I have also considered that being DAN O2 trained and having a DAN O2 kit would be a good idea while solo diving. Thoughts?

Any tips you would have to experience how one reacts to an underwater and not involving a dam and an anchor (that must have hurt)?

Thanks,
JL

 

[Nemrod]

Captain is always calm, and if he said he was hit by an anchor while being sucked into a hydro-electric grate then he was.

Of course having an oxygen kit is handy

I was sucked downward by what I believe was a current generated by an underwater landslide in Lake Powell. It bounced me around pretty good, really gave me a bad hair day.

As to panic, some people are more prone to it than others, nobody is totally immune.

On a recent dive, my two buddies became confused and somehow I decided to continue on myself. It was a sort a cavern pseudo cave dive. Well, they said it was a cavern--ok--in any case I continued on down alone. I did have twin tanks, I had dual regulators, I had four lights and on and on. Well, at my turn point at 110 feet my main light quit-no sweat, go to number two. It came on and then also went out, ok, went to number three, no go---it too would not function. Now, down to my little UK, it came on!!!!!! yipppieeee. Outa there. N
N