Solo vs. Buddy perspective

[Thalassamania]

But when you don't have someone diving that you know is competent, what do you do? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I'm still not getting the difference. Are you less aware or less safe if you do have a competent diver in the water with you v. having a competent diver in the water?

I almost always have someone competent with me. On the very rare times that I don't I have to make a choice, can I limit my exposure and minimize risk (e.g., depth, distance to shore, complexity of task, etc.) or should I scrub the dive 'till I can find a competent buddy.