solo training vs firefighters training whats the difference

[uncfnp]

I think that solo diving is the taboo of the diving community. Just the term alone sparks debate even in a forum dedicated to the subject. I consider myself a new diver (75 dives since getting certified in 2011) and cannot help laugh with the pretentious reactions of some divers to solo diving. Everyone has dived solo whether intentionaly or not. As I gain more experience I realize what a useless buddy I was for probably my first 20-30 dives (if not more). I was actually more of a liability, so I am now not shocked by the fact that the same people that taught me never to dive alone, dropped me off to the boat after the safety stop and went back to the bottom to enjoy the rest of their dive alone...

Diving alone is risky so solo diving may add some risks but I think that ones does not become a good buddy until he/she are confident enough to dive solo. I just did my first few solo dives and I can say that it added an extra level of confidence (not to be confused with overconfidence). I tool the plunge after studying for a while other solo divers, this board, shared experiences, etc. I understand that there is more risk but I felt that there was no more risk that diving with someone that just got their OW certification and is now is my buddy for a 100ft dive (a real experience). As a matter of fact I think that two inexperienced divers in a buddy team are at a bigger risk than an experience diver with redundant air and mask in the same environment.

I came to this forum to gather more info and I am shocked that the same debate that litters the rest of the forums is here. Can we leave the solo diver forum dedicated to solo diver issues/discussion and not whether is right or wrong?

I disagree. I think the debate is not whether or not solo diving is "taboo." Clearly it is not to the solo divers on this forum. But rather 1) is it for everyone? and 2) specific to the OP - is he ready mentally and equipment wise - and should he take the course? Discussing the pros, cons and risks of solo diving is appropriate and not a judgement of the activity.

How taboo can something be if a fifty something female dives solo? I think that you have just been over exposed to some of the more vocal members of SB. Or maybe my personal experience is skewed.

 

[dytis-sm]

I disagree. I think the debate is not whether or not solo diving is "taboo." Clearly it is not to the solo divers on this forum. But rather 1) is it for everyone? and 2) specific to the OP - is he ready mentally and equipment wise - and should he take the course? Discussing the pros, cons and risks of solo diving is appropriate and not a judgement of the activity.

How taboo can something be if a fifty something female dives solo? I think that you have just been over exposed to some of the more vocal members of SB. Or maybe my personal experience is skewed.

Diving is not for everyone in general. Some people should not dive with a buddy let solo alone. It is a risky sport with no room for sloppiness and disregard to details, some traits that you cannot correct with training. Maybe I am over-sensitive as you suggest, but it is funny how throwing the term solo anywhere gets a thread 10 or more pages of comments of how unsafe it is. I called "taboo" simply because we all have dived solo one way or another, yet some people will not admit it. The term "same ocean buddies" is not accidental.

On another note I feel that female divers are not any different that male divers and if anything they are privileged to generally have better air consumption ;-) The fact that there are female solo divers does not surprise me since women are as capable as any men divers with the same training.

PS. My apologies to the OP for straying off the subject

 

[drrich2]

Dytis-SM:

I'm sympathetic to your frustration, and the OP seems competent to make his own choices, perhaps informed by some of the input he asked for. But in judging the content & tone of feedback, I would suggest considering:

1.) Nobody's input is co-opting anyone's free will. We say our piece, you do what you want.

2.) Threads are read by people other than the OP & posters. There's a thread going by a guy who's profiles lists under 25 dives yet he has interest in going solo due to lack of buddy opportunities. Maybe even in a lake? In some cold water at that.

3.) It's often easy for people to gloss over their own weak points for whatever reason - overconfidence, ignorance 'you don't know what you don't know,' ego, rationalization, pick your dysfunctional mechanism. So sometimes 'feedback' on the forum can seem a bit paternalistic.

Let's consider a broader example. We've got a lot of technical divers on board, and they are obviously not opposed to technical diving. But if I go to a technical diving section of the forum, point out I'm not tech. certified/formally trained, and run some plans by them to see what they think of me deep diving air, dropping down around 150 - 200 feet, doing deco. diving by 'following whatever my computer tells me to do,' then people will discourage me. Doesn't mean even tech. divers are opposed to technical diving; they're just opposed to undertrained, underprepared divers tech. diving.

While not much of this may apply to the OP, it may help provide a frame of reference for some replies people get in a Solo Diving forum.

Richard.

 

[OkByMe]

Can someone just answer the OP's question?. We all know the confab about solo diving. He knows that no matter who you have around you, if you die, you die alone. Now back to where can he get a synopsis on solo diving to provide the information he can review to determine if the class would be beneficial to him.... Anyone? I would like to know too.

 

[Jai Bar]

Can someone just answer the OP's question?. We all know the confab about solo diving. He knows that no matter who you have around you, if you die, you die alone. Now back to where can he get a synopsis on solo diving to provide the information he can review to determine if the class would be beneficial to him.... Anyone? I would like to know too.

I guess only a person who has done firefighting and solo classes, and personally knows the OP very well can answer the OP question if he needs training or he knows enough from his personal experience. Maybe.

But the thread is full of information that can help the OP decide what to do. Suppose I tell him not take solo classes as it is waste of time- maybe three others tell the same, whereas half a dozen people tell him he must do it.

So? Whose advice will be take? I think in these matters, nobody can give a concrete answer to the question. And only a fool will take a recommendation on such a matter from an internet forum. It is not a question whether to but computer with air transmitter, or is it worth doing rescue course instead of dm..

It is about solo diving, serious branch of scuba diving that may affect one's life, not suitable for everyone "just because I cannot find a buddy today".

That's what most the answers in this thread are about. Final decision what to do with your life is your responsibility.



Sent from my myTouch 4G

 

[uncfnp]

Excellent.

So where is the confusion between solo mindset and team-think?

If you were in trouble U/W and happened upon me diving solo (which I do), we would strive to get through this "issue" together...

---------- Post added June 19th, 2013 at 12:39 AM ----------



Yes, take the course.

I have passed all the three stages of stupidity on my way to becoming a solo diver:

1. Over confident with single tank, yoke.

2. Single tank with double valve/first regs, yoke.

3. Confident with single cylinder and pony, both yoke.

4. Dual cylinder, sidemuounted, DIN.

Now, I'm not going to preach you whether this is the only way to go, or this or that is stupidity.

But- beware of over confidence- there are many things we don't know, including you, most likely. So, in my opinion it is not s bad idea pursuing new skills, further training and experience. You'll always benefit from learning something new, that somehow you didn't figure out by yourself. And you get someone with experience to check you out before you plunge deep into solo.

Personally I started sidemounting on DIN regs after fragging oring burst on me when I was in my third stage of stupidity, lost lots of my back air, pony wasn't enough to get me back, and was on boat infested waters. With side mount you have both valves handy and under your eyes, a free flow is super simple to manage in less than five seconds, entanglements just as easy. Experienced both and was grateful to be on SM. Tanks are same capacity, with simple gas management there is also less risk on way back. Some are happy with doubles backmount, but I think for solo one has less control, no visual on first regs and valves, depend on drills that are more complicated and take more time alone, compared with SM.

My two cents.


Sent from my myTouch 4G

Can someone just answer the OP's question?. We all know the confab about solo diving. He knows that no matter who you have around you, if you die, you die alone. Now back to where can he get a synopsis on solo diving to provide the information he can review to determine if the class would be beneficial to him.... Anyone? I would like to know too.

Yes, take the course. An experienced instructor will give you tips, tricks and insight not available in any book and you may have not have gotten through personal experiences.

 

[lowviz]

Can someone just answer the OP's question? ...//... Anyone? I would like to know too.

The OP is asking if a solo course is worthwhile (to him). The first question is "what are you trying to achieve?" Do you just want a card that allows you solo access to a dive site or are you looking to gain self-centric skills that will minimize personal risk? The solo course you seek for either of those goals would be quite different. SDI solo instructors will certify you and give you a card. You can find an instructor who sets the bar very low or extremely high. No value judgement here, just be aware that you will have a better experience if you first understand what it is that you want then find an instructor that plays that tune.

...//... An experienced instructor will give you tips, tricks and insight not available in any book and you may have not have gotten through personal experiences.

Yes, precisely.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Get the SDI Solo Diver student manual. THat's where you'll find a synopsis and general guidelines. I say general as a good instructor will deviate from those depending on conditions, experience, training, and how many times the SHHTF when they were diving alone.

As for tips - get a mirror. Who knows why I said this?

 

[uncfnp]

Can someone just answer the OP's question?. We all know the confab about solo diving. He knows that no matter who you have around you, if you die, you die alone. Now back to where can he get a synopsis on solo diving to provide the information he can review to determine if the class would be beneficial to him.... Anyone? I would like to know too.

Here is one:
http://www.extremedivers.com/solo.htm

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I had to do the SMB Deployment maskless, neutral, and in trim. In 50 some degree water