LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
....If he were a D/M or instructor, no worries then (as Jack Sparrow in Pirates I, II, and III would say.) Becoming a D/M first would be a better idea...
Hi Nereas: I understand what you are trying to say, but disagree because the OP could actually get his DM cert fairly quickly (based at least on min PADI requirements for becoming a DM), learn some great, cool new stuff and get some more supervised dives in, but still not have learned anything significantly different than he already knows with regard to diving solo!
There are all things that ALL of us still have to learn, hopefully not the hard way, and the saying "you don't know what you don't know" certainlly applies to all phases of diving when it is new to you.
Solo diving is just diving. There is nothing special about it, no secret handshakes to learn. Its no different than the diving he already doing.... just without anyone to chat with before and after the dive, or point out cute fishies to
I think this OP "gets it" that there are situations that he can get into that only a buddy can save him from. We all understand that when we solo. He does need to proceed with lots of caution, ask lots of questions, and have a mentor (he does!).
No one can (without meeting him and diving with him) say whether he is ready or not. I've watched instructors and DM's who are amazing divers, divers that made me think, wow, I hope I'm that "squared-away" and good someday (and I know I can never be as good as some of them)... and I've watched a few that, well, you've probably all seen your share of not-so-impressive "dive pro's".
Certified is not always the same as qualified.
Anyway, I think my only recommendation from an experience standpoint is that the OP should lead a few buddy dives in the locations he is considering soloing as a "next step". Mainly to make sure is totally comfortable and familiar with navigating the sites.
After that, only he can decide when he is ready.
Safe Diving.