Solo diving

[Jim Lapenta]

Disagree. Rescue and underwater navigation if anything. Then AOW and nitrox.

And I don't understand what you mean by the shops wanting money. If off of a boat well yeah. Otherwise just tag along on their shore excursions and if they say anything tell em get stuffed.

 

[uncfnp]

Disagree. Rescue and underwater navigation if anything. Then AOW and nitrox.

And I don't understand what you mean by the shops wanting money. If off of a boat well yeah. Otherwise just tag along on their shore excursions and if they say anything tell em get stuffed.

AOW first so you will get more out of your Rescue and Navigation courses. Nitrox anywhere along the way. :blinking:

 

[DevonDiver]

I see nothing wrong with solo diving, provided it is conducted upon solid foundations of appropriate experience, training and equipment. In contrast, when it becomes an option for convenience alone, without those solid foundations, it can be nothing more than an invitation to prove Darwin's Law.

Substantial experience is crucial when making the decision to solo dive. It not only enlightens the diver on the hazards, but also educates them truthfully on their capacity to cope with those hazards. It is for that reason we see many more "should I solo dive?" questions from novice divers, than from advanced/experienced. Those that know the answer make their decision and get on with it. Those who feel the need for external 'approval' or 'validation' probably cannot.

Solo training is quite accessible nowadays. Do the training, understand the issues, learn your capabilities... then make your decision. Otherwise, just spend a little more time and effort locating appropriate dive buddies... they're around, if you network and ask.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Actually no. I don't want people.getting a false sense of security and getting access to.dives with greater risk if they can't help themselves, a buddy, or another diver. Especially if they have not had rescue skills in the OW class. Rescue before advanced training is more beneficial as it increases one's situational awareness, gives them more tools to stop problems before they happen, and reinforces buddy skills. The run of the mill AOW class is nothing more than five dives with an instructor and is the worst reason to take it. Unless the AOW is taught by someone who sees that it needs to be much more, has minimum entry skill requirements to even start the class, teaches rescue skills in the class, and will not issue a card until their standards as well.as agency ones are met.
If rescue skills are not taught in a students OW class from another agency, SEI requires that our min OW rescue skills be taught during advanced level training or remediated before the student can begin AOW or what we now call our Advanced Level classes. I had that written into the standards when we revamped them.
And AOW should not polish basi skills. Those should.be done before AOW. AOW should introduce all new skills and greater task loading.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[tajkd]

I did many solo dives when I was younger and NOT certified. Looking back over almost 700 dives, I'd say the most trouble I ever got into was when I had buddies go bad.

That said, there are very simple issues that are not life-threatening if you have a buddy but become terminal when you don't have one. Go out and get the experience with a buddy before you think about going solo. And definitely take the solo course, get the required equipment, and do more dives before going into the water alone.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Per my suggestion and Rebelmarine62's request, I moved this thread from New Divers and Those Considering Diving to Solo Divers.

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[btw2459]

If you're looking for dive buddies try asking on Divebuddy.com. I've found some great people to dive with through that website.

 

[bbarnett51]

I want to add a little more to this discussion than I originally posted.

the knowledge to solo dive is easy...read a manual read a book and you got it. It's how you implement these things that matter and I can attest to the fact that a minor inconvenience with a buddy can be HUGE stressor solo. When I was 17 I got caught on a trotline in a lake. The line hung on my first stage and the hook in my back. A buddy would have made quick work of it and we would have laughed at the boat. Being young and inexperienced I thought for a second I might die. It would be different now but same concept.

Also my solo diving is different from many on here. I'm diving in lakes and usually 0-60' with most of it at 20'and a speargun. That's a lot different from wreck diving on Eerie.

Solo diving should only be done after you experience some underwater stressors. The courses that helped me the most were navigation, night and limited viz, and Rescue. If you have read my posts you will know that I am a firm believer in navigation. Knowing where you are and how to get back to the shore or boat in an emergency will make you more relaxed in the water and is crucial in my world.

 

[flots am]

Solo diving should only be done after you experience some underwater stressors.

This probably isn't a popular opinion, but I don't think anybody should be diving solo until they've had a real "Oh Sh**!" moment.

It really puts the level of risk in a whole new light.

flots.

 

[Seaduced]

This probably isn't a popular opinion, but I don't think anybody should be diving solo until they've had a real "Oh Sh**!" moment.

It really puts the level of risk in a whole new light.

flots.

I agree with flots, until you've had something really go south and were able to keep your composure, soloing is risky. That is the only way you will know how prone to panic you are. There is no redundant gear for panic.

Diving with a mentor that first 100 or so dives is when you pick up on the little things and develop the comfort level essential to solo. Could you solo sooner and be fine... sure, if nothing goes wrong. Also, I would recommend a Stress and Rescue class, it will give you greater insight into panic and techniques to manage it. You have to be ready to look Murphy in the eye.

Having said all that, your plan is the way I started, shallow dives in calm, familiar waters.