Solo Diving

[Diver Dennis]

I like not having to worry about anyone else but myself too. I can concentrate on the image.

 

[Kevrumbo]

What else besides a pony bottle do you think you should have to be able to dive solo with some relative degree of safety?
... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Training in the usage of Manifold/Isolation Valve Doubles, and a kit set-up similar to this: http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1562624&postcount=7

Also give the DM of the boat, or the Lifeguard on the Beach (or at least a friend, relative, significant other etc.) an idea of your Location, Profile and Total Dive Time. . .

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Well, that's one good answer ... but I was asking the OP, since he posted this statement ...

I don't see a huge problem with it as long as you have a pony and you know the area and stay in the open. Any thoughts?

If all someone thinks they need to solo dive is a pony bottle and a cautious dive profile, then I do see a problem ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mdb]

I like not having to worry about anyone else but myself too. I can concentrate on the image.

Diver Dennis: Well said. The pompous pundits will come on with the usual "I'm an instructor, this is how you should do it" replies. After 30+ years I now prefer to be responsible only for myself. The quiet ocean is the reward.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

The pompus pundits will come on with the usual "I'm an instructor, this is how you should do it" replies.

Really? Who said that?

For a guy who's trying to market scuba products, you sure like to insult potential customers.

Why?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Kevrumbo]

"[Complacency] of the undiscerning mind is like the root of a tree - it absorbs equally all that it touches - even the poison that would kill it."

Diver Dennis: Well said. The pompus pundits will come on with the usual "I'm an instructor, this is how you should do it" replies. After 30+ years I now prefer to be responsible only for myself. The quiet ocean is the reward.

 

[Cacia]

Well, that's one good answer ... but I was asking the OP, since he posted this statement ...


If all someone thinks they need to solo dive is a pony bottle and a cautious dive profile, then I do see a problem ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

well, what then? You are alluding to things,...kev is quoting "aphorisms" or something... what is the plain English answer?

lol. this is why you all get called pompous pundits. (NOT that you ARE) But...the anti-Solo (not that you are)

Kev...those aphorisms are making me paranoid. I used to enjoy solo, now I always feel guilty. I will be down there diving away and then start wondering what you meant.
:book3:

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

well, what then? You are alluding to things,...kev is quoting "aphorisms" or something... what is the plain English answer?

lol. this is why you all get called pompous pundits. (NOT that you ARE) But...the anti-Solo (not that you are)

Kev...those aphorisms are making me paranoid. I used to enjoy solo, now I always feel guilty. I will be down there diving away and then start wondering what you meant.
:book3:

Catherine ... why are you feeling guilty about solo diving? Do what you enjoy doing, and to hell with what someone else thinks.

I'm not trying to be pompous ... I'm trying to get people who think all you need to dive solo is strap on a pony to rethink what they're doing.

I've given my "plain English" answer in other threads ... so here it is again ...

- You need to have solid basic skills. Solo diving is not the time to be struggling with any aspect of your diving ... not because of the skills themselves so much as because of what it does to your head. When you're dealing with problems alone, stress can kill you ... because it will make you forget something you shouldn't overlook. When you make a mistake underwater, there are often no opportunities for do-overs.

- You need to be comfortable enough in the underwater environment that you can think through and resolve any issue you have to deal with calmly, controlling your breathing (which WILL affect your ability to control buoyancy) and focusing on the problem. Again, a lot of this comes down to having mastery over what your mind wants to do to you when the survival instinct kicks in.

Those are the two biggies. The rest is really gonna depend on your choice of equipment and dive profiles.

I've seen some really poor examples of "solo" divers who are so lacking in skills and fundamental diving knowledge that it's amazing to me that they're still alive ... sadly, in two recent cases, they're not still alive. That's because dive shops are selling people on the idea that all it takes to dive solo is to strap on a pony and go.

I'm not against people diving solo ... I'm against them doing it without adequate preparation and experience. You're cutting your safety margins ... at least take the time to learn enough to understand the risks.

If that makes me "pompous" so be it ... I happen to care a lot about what happens to my fellow divers out there.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[divinginn]

im ready to go do a solo dive now,anyone else want to go?

 

[mdb]

well, what then? You are alluding to things,...kev is quoting "aphorisms" or something... what is the plain English answer?

lol. this is why you all get called pompous pundits. (NOT that you ARE) But...the anti-Solo (not that you are)

Kev...those aphorisms are making me paranoid. I used to enjoy solo, now I always feel guilty. I will be down there diving away and then start wondering what you meant. :book3:

Catherine: As your JB well knows those who are pompous will stay so. Those who talk in aphorisms will continue to do so. Enjoy your diving. In Bali you will not be Solo.