What solo cert do you have, has it ever been turned down?

[Edward3c]

As a specialist diving insurer, do they say where they got their statistics from?

Edit: I also may have missed the extent of coverage. Was this coverage only for diving deaths?

The insurance is to pay off the mortgage and provide a one-off payment to offset U.K. inheritance tax. The only risks they load the premium for are ‘wreck penetration’ and ‘solo diving’. SCUBA as such, even to my 50m qualification, doesn’t carry a loading over a non-diver.

 

[MichaelMc]

The insurance is to pay off the mortgage and provide a one-off payment to offset U.K. inheritance tax. The only risks they load the premium for are ‘wreck penetration’ and ‘solo diving’. SCUBA as such, even to my 50m qualification, doesn’t carry a loading over a non-diver.

And they are a specialist diving insurer because most will not insure if you dive but they will and at no premium over a non-diver?

 

[MichaelMc]

My asking to know the source of their data is motivated by feeling there is an organization that has frowned strongly on solo-diving, collects extensive voluntary reporting statistics of member's dives, and publishes a great annual report of diving incidents. Which would include solo deaths, as those are hard to skip. But might not include all solo dives, given the voluntary reporting and strong frowning on said activity, by that organization as I recall.

 

[Doc Harry]

Like @Doc Harry, I spent weeks and weeks solo backpacking in California's Sierra Nevada...

 

[Edward3c]

And they are a specialist diving insurer because most will not insure if you dive but they will and at no premium over a non-diver?

It helps the staff are divers themselves, so they don’t ask stupid questions, like do you always dive with an instructor even when I’ve stated I’m a dive instructor.

 

[J-Vo]

I see someone had their PADI card turned down. I would like to know the circumstances. I read on SB there was a quarry someplace that rejects them. I've never had mine questioned as long as solo is allowed. Mine came in handy in of all places Bonaire. I went to rent a pony rig and was getting funny looks from staff until I whipped out my card then all was fine. I'm pretty sure they would have rented it to me anyway, but the card gave everybody warm fuzzies.

I put that my PADI was turned down, but not really true as it wouldn't matter what the card was. In my experience the operator usually allows solo or not regardless of your certification.

 

[J-Vo]

My life insurance said I didn't need writer to cover diving, but I asked for it anyway. It added 5%, and there are not stipulations in the policy. Any diving death/injury is covered regardless of depth, location, overhead, solo, or certification. I plan to never test it though.

 

[J-Vo]

Solo diving in the Caymans is still prohibited by CITA . It appears that the topic is being addressed. There is some hope that solo diving in the Caymans may be allowed someday Cayman’s dive industry fights to stay afloat I have done many very good shore dives off Grand Cayman and would love the opportunity to dive solo.

Following a visit to Cayman Brac, I corresponded with the folks at Scuba Shack and was informed that they would allow solo diving as long as I supplied my own pony Shore diving on Cayman Brac? If I am lucky enough to return to Brac, I would take advantage of the many shore diving sites Shore diving on Cayman Brac?

We went to Caymen in February 2020. The best reef I dove was off West Bay Beach. It was about a half hour kick in 10' of water to get to the reef, but once there quite worth it. With side mount 80s I was getting about an hour on the reef with the one hour travel time. Pretty sure if I had been a bit further south I could have kicked out to the Kittiwake.

Dive Tech did specifically tell me solo was allowed with certification for shore diving, but all other operators flat did not allow it.

 

[lukeb]

So I was just turned down for Solo diving with Captain Hooks Dive Center in Big Pine Key. I explained I had the SDI Solo cert and all the required equipment, but it was still a no. They were also not able to accommodate doubles on their boat either.

Their reasoning was that they thought the wrecks they were diving in the Middle Keys were too deep for Solo diving (we were talking about diving the Thunderbolt and Adolphus Bush specifically, but they also mentioned the Vandenberg in their explanation). They didn't think their insurance would cover solo diving. They also said they didn't think divers would have all the SDI required equipment (mirror, signaling devices, cutting tools, spare mask etc). I explained I had all this equipment and more, but I totally understand it is their boat and their rules. What surprised me is that they are an SDI operation, and are familiar with the Solo cert, it just seems that they don't embrace the solo diving concept. Their view seemed to be that solo diving was inherently more dangerous and presented an unacceptable risk.

This is in no way a critique of Captain Hook's however. They were really friendly and helpful on the phone, and I am sure for recreational buddy diving they are great. I have been to their shop a few times and always had good service.

 

[Wibble]

So I was just turned down for Solo diving with Captain Hooks Dive Center in Big Pine Key. I explained I had the SDI Solo cert and all the required equipment, but it was still a no. They were also not able to accommodate doubles on their boat either.

Their reasoning was that they thought the wrecks they were diving in the Middle Keys were too deep for Solo diving (we were talking about diving the Thunderbolt and Adolphus Bush specifically, but they also mentioned the Vandenberg in their explanation). They didn't think their insurance would cover solo diving. They also said they didn't think divers would have all the SDI required equipment (mirror, signaling devices, cutting tools, spare mask etc). I explained I had all this equipment and more, but I totally understand it is their boat and their rules. What surprised me is that they are an SDI operation, and are familiar with the Solo cert, it just seems that they don't embrace the solo diving concept. Their view seemed to be that solo diving was inherently more dangerous and presented an unacceptable risk.

This is in no way a critique of Captain Hook's however. They were really friendly and helpful on the phone, and I am sure for recreational buddy diving they are great. I have been to their shop a few times and always had good service.

Added to the list of solo hostile operators. Their choice to be hostile; our choice to take our business to somewhere solo friendly.