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

[billbb]

good to know
I try to not support any opp that refuses solo diving
even if I am diving with someone

 

[happy-diver]

It's a good operator that makes you earn a solo berth, who knows it's just a card
understands the inadequacy of the training, because there is no training for solo

Only diving

SOLO

 

[Nemrod]

I have not been on forums of any sort, diving or otherwise, much for a few years now. But I have been diving, well, as much as I could given the circumstances of the last year or so. But, yes, I have run into issues occasionally, mostly in the Florida Keys. Just returning home from a full month in SoFla and the Keys. The only operation that gave me a solid no was Southpoint Divers in Key West. This is not to bash on their operation, they are friendly and have a nice boat, clean shop but they are a cattle operation. They provide led (guided) dives and as a photo diver I found in disheartening, frustrating and overly rushed. Yes, they saw my SDI Solo card, yes, I had every bit of the SDI solo equipment with me. They do not allow solo diving as per them it is too dangerous and too likely to get hurt. So, if you want a highly structured dive led by your nose, go there, if you want a solo/self-reliant dive so that you can concentrate on your photography or other aspect of interest do not use Southpoint Divers of Key West.

I think with a lot of the dive ops it is a do not ask, do not tell policy. In any case, I had no problems with any other operator on this trip but I had booked with folks I had dived with before. I think I got myself confused on Southpoint Divers and did not do my due diligence. Frankly, if pressed, I suspect many ops will give you a no if asked but in practice look the other way. Most will put a guide or DM in the water, especially with drift diving, to tote the flag buoy. I try to start and end my dive with the group though me and my camera may wander away during the course of the dive, I try to end with or near the DM just to make it easier on the captain and all involved and not wear my welcome thin. My experience for what it is worth.

James, and yeah, I am Nemrod

 

[lukeb]

Just dived Solo with Stuart Scuba out of the St Lucie inlet in Florida. They are Solo and Tech friendly. They had a very relaxed approach. I told them I was SDI Solo certified when booking. On the boat it was me and a rebreather diver both doing solo tech profiles (and another buddy team diving recreational profiles). They asked our bottom times and run times so they knew when to look for a DSMB and when to expect us on the surface, but there were no stipulations. I can highly recommend Stuart Scuba for Solo divers!

 

[Wibble]

Just dived Solo with Stuart Scuba out of the St Lucie inlet in Florida. They are Solo and Tech friendly. They had a very relaxed approach. I told them I was SDI Solo certified when booking. On the boat it was me and a rebreather diver both doing solo tech profiles (and another buddy team diving recreational profiles). They asked our bottom times and run times so they knew when to look for a DSMB and when to expect us on the surface, but there were no stipulations. I can highly recommend Stuart Scuba for Solo divers!

Nice to find an adult operation.

 

[Subcooled]

Interesting that they came up with a card for something that some have done for years.

Isn't that true for ALL the cards?

 

[ScubaSquatch]

Full Cave.......doesn't get much more self reliant than that.

 

[Couv]

I fibbed just a little on my not/never vote. I've been a solo diver for years (almost 50) but only recently received a Self Reliant (PADI) cert. However, "don't ask, don't tell" has always worked for me except when an operation forbade solo diving.

 

[scubadada]

I fibbed just a little on my not/never vote. I've been a solo diver for years (almost 50) but only recently received a Self Reliant (PADI) cert. However, "don't ask, don't tell" has always worked for me except when an operation forbade solo diving.

I started solo diving in about 2004 with operators who knew and trusted me. I did not get my SDI Solo cert until 2013, it has helped me with operators who do not know me a few times.

 

[Marie13]

Full Cave.......doesn't get much more self reliant than that.

I’ve been told of a charter op that due to insurance won’t let even full cave divers dive solo. Gotta have a solo cert to solo.