Hello,
I'm not solo certified yet. I have to admin though that during a recent diving trip to Indonesia I did a few solo dives and I LIKED it. Hence I am thinking to get solo certified soon.
Main reasons to do so: First I LIKED it, second soon my working schedule won't match with my regular buddies' ones. Third the concept of having the gear in my car and whenever I feel like it go to dive (eg after work - my work place is 10 mins drive from nice shores) sound very attractive, and finally since I do UW photography it is probably the only way to really enjoy it.
Just for completeness a bit of my background: I've been OW certified 3 years ago, AOW soon afterwards and Nitrox (although I've never actually dove Nitrox yet). I have 150 dives so far, about half land based around Indonesia and the other half local shore dives around my home town. I own and maintain myself the basic recreational gear (BPW, regulator, computer, suit, a 15lt steel tank etc).
Local dive condition usually are: very clear temperate water with no currents and hard bottom at max 100ft/30m. The nudies I am after usually are around 80ft-100ft (25-30m) but I don't mind shallower.
I had a short discussion about all these with a local tech-inclined instructor (mainly affiliated to IANTD). I was a bit worried at first that he would be negative/reluctant about it but on the contrary he encouraged me.
He said it will be with SSI (I think IANTD doesn't have solo programs). He also mentioned H valve for redundant air supply. The discussion was short and we didn't elaborate on these.
Here the questions start:
- I don't see SSI mentioned often in solo certification discussions in SB. PADI and SDI are almost solely mentioned. Is there any reasons people don't do SSI ?
- I didn't ask but I hope that the instructor won't mind doing the training with a slinged pony. But just to be prepared for his reaction, from the instructor point of view are there any strong reasons to avoid ponies? I understand that h valve will be easier for both of us (I've never slinged a pony before, one less tank to carry and to worry about etc). But from a safety point of view a pony is clearly the way to go for me.
- I understand I need to buy a pony and an extra regulator soon. From the calculations I've done 3lt(20cu ft?) are more than enough to safely bring me to the surface from 100ft/30m within NDL. Soon though light deco might come to play. I understand there is no end to this (more time, more gas, bigger pony), but how people usually handle this?
- Are aluminum or steel ponies preferred? I read that steel is more popular in Europe, but having one on my side and given its weight won't cause balance/trim issues?? Aluminium should be almost neutral so it shouldn't cause such issues. Thoughts?
I have more questions but I'll stop here for now.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I'm not solo certified yet. I have to admin though that during a recent diving trip to Indonesia I did a few solo dives and I LIKED it. Hence I am thinking to get solo certified soon.
Main reasons to do so: First I LIKED it, second soon my working schedule won't match with my regular buddies' ones. Third the concept of having the gear in my car and whenever I feel like it go to dive (eg after work - my work place is 10 mins drive from nice shores) sound very attractive, and finally since I do UW photography it is probably the only way to really enjoy it.
Just for completeness a bit of my background: I've been OW certified 3 years ago, AOW soon afterwards and Nitrox (although I've never actually dove Nitrox yet). I have 150 dives so far, about half land based around Indonesia and the other half local shore dives around my home town. I own and maintain myself the basic recreational gear (BPW, regulator, computer, suit, a 15lt steel tank etc).
Local dive condition usually are: very clear temperate water with no currents and hard bottom at max 100ft/30m. The nudies I am after usually are around 80ft-100ft (25-30m) but I don't mind shallower.
I had a short discussion about all these with a local tech-inclined instructor (mainly affiliated to IANTD). I was a bit worried at first that he would be negative/reluctant about it but on the contrary he encouraged me.
He said it will be with SSI (I think IANTD doesn't have solo programs). He also mentioned H valve for redundant air supply. The discussion was short and we didn't elaborate on these.
Here the questions start:
- I don't see SSI mentioned often in solo certification discussions in SB. PADI and SDI are almost solely mentioned. Is there any reasons people don't do SSI ?
- I didn't ask but I hope that the instructor won't mind doing the training with a slinged pony. But just to be prepared for his reaction, from the instructor point of view are there any strong reasons to avoid ponies? I understand that h valve will be easier for both of us (I've never slinged a pony before, one less tank to carry and to worry about etc). But from a safety point of view a pony is clearly the way to go for me.
- I understand I need to buy a pony and an extra regulator soon. From the calculations I've done 3lt(20cu ft?) are more than enough to safely bring me to the surface from 100ft/30m within NDL. Soon though light deco might come to play. I understand there is no end to this (more time, more gas, bigger pony), but how people usually handle this?
- Are aluminum or steel ponies preferred? I read that steel is more popular in Europe, but having one on my side and given its weight won't cause balance/trim issues?? Aluminium should be almost neutral so it shouldn't cause such issues. Thoughts?
I have more questions but I'll stop here for now.
Thanks in advance for any replies.