What skills do you actually learn in a Solo course?

[caruso]

So as a diving expert and after extensive research you are willing to state unequivocally that there is absolutely zero risk of oxtox events in recreational diving with < Nitrox 40?

I'm saying that I feel quite comfortable setting my dive computer to P02 1.6 and exceeding the MOD limits for the Nitrox blend that I happen to be using on a dive given that there is not a single shred of evidence that doing so is going to cause me any problems with 02 toxicity.

 

[uncfnp]

I'm saying that I feel quite comfortable setting my dive computer to P02 1.6 and exceeding the MOD limits for the Nitrox blend that I happen to be using on a dive given that there is not a single shred of evidence that doing so is going to cause me any problems with 02 toxicity.

As do I but I would absolutely not go on SB and promote my personal choice and risk tolerence as the correct choice for all, as you seemed to be doing. I would consider that irresponsible.

 

[tarponchik]

I'm saying that I feel quite comfortable setting my dive computer to P02 1.6 and exceeding the MOD limits for the Nitrox blend that I happen to be using on a dive given that there is not a single shred of evidence that doing so is going to cause me any problems with 02 toxicity.

Personally, I've been more concerned about the other oxygen toxicity, pulmanary.

 

[Superlyte27]

You guys are still arguing over this? It took me 5 minutes to find a DAN report where someone toxed at below 1.6 in the ‘90’s.

I believe they were 40 minutes into their dive below 4 ata. (Meaning 3.5, 3.2, etc). I didn’t mean physically below 100’

There is a whole study, look for it, where the reason PPO2 moved from 2.0 to 1.6 was because people were getting hits, and then moved it again from 1.6 to 1.4 and then said that the occurrence below 1.4 isn’t eliminated altogether but the occurrence was so rare, it likely occurs by contributing factors, like unique body chemistry, prescription drugs in system, etc.

 

[jadairiii]

99.9% of the skills needed to "solo" dive you should have already. Then you have to look at what are the parameters of your "solo" diving? Are you looking to solo on shallow reefs? Or 300' Tech dives? Solo cave? Or spearfishing drift diving in 100'? And the reality is none of the agencies will prepare you for all that (or any of that).

In the end, it is a nice way for a diver to spend money and get another card to add to your collection of useless cards, Nitrox Wreck, Boat diving, Nitrox DPV.......What the course wont teach most people is that they are not in good enough physical condition to be diving, solo or otherwise. Any real emergency the solo diver will die alone, there is no "self-rescue/self-reliance " during a medical emergency, tox, CO2/CO problem, DCS incident. During one of those emergencies the first thing a solo diver does is a quick panic 360 hoping to see who is close and can help....(they dont teach that)

 

[EireDiver606]

Or, wasn't my problem until folks like PADi started promoting the specialty of the week.

It doesn’t ring any clearer than that.

 

[caruso]

You guys are still arguing over this? It took me 5 minutes to find a DAN report where someone toxed at below 1.6 in the ‘90’s.

I believe they were 40 minutes into their dive below 4 ata.

If the diver was 40 minutes at 100' they were clearly not a single tank diver nor were they within no deco limits.

Remember it's not just the P02 level, it's the time spent at that level.

 

[Soloist]

If the diver was 40 minutes at 100' they were clearly not a single tank diver nor were they within no deco limits.

Remember it's not just the P02 level, it's the time spent at that level.

Why couldn’t they be a single tank diver?

 

[caruso]

Why couldn’t they be a single tank diver?

How the heck you going to dive for 40 minutes at 100' on a single tank? Even if you could stay at the bottom that long due to an excellent SAC rate you'd surely be into deco and need more gas for the stops.

 

[soggybadger]

It’s ignorant to imply you will not learn anything from solo dive training without knowing your experience level. Best thing to do is seek out a competent instructor that will provide a challenging and thorough training experience. The instructor makes the course! By the end you should be able to ascertain and resolve problems proficiently, quickly and independently. Being able to switch to a pony, rig a pony, contend with an OOA situation (regardless of the circumstances), lose and replace your mask at depth, make a long surface swim, carry redundant gear and completely remove your BC at depth, swim away from it and replace it are just some of the skills you should glean from your instruction. This can be a great course, so choose your instructor wisely. Hope this was helpful. Good luck!

Swim away from and return to your rig at depth? That would prove monumentally difficult if not impossible.