Why do you LIKE to solo dive?

[Snowbear]

Had an interesting question posed today while I was gearing up. This guy who was letting his dog pee all over the parking lot had struck up a conversation and was asking me about where my buddies are. Being the paranoid cynic I am, he was starting to make me pretty uncomfortable so I was looking to hurry up and get in the water to get away from him. He finally said he is a diver and asked me:
"Why in HELL would you want to dive by yourself?" My retort:
"'Cause it's as close to heaven as I'll probably ever get."
He then muttered something I didn't quite hear about nuckin' futz and called his dog and left.
It did however get me thinking about why I LIKE solo diving. I would generally rather dive with a buddy, but when one is not available, I dive anyway and usually really enjoy the experience.

 

[partridge]

I love diving. I dive every chance I get, which is quite a lot here in the tropics.

You know how everyone has to be alone every once in a while? Same thing except this time it is while doing something that I love.

It does not even have to be the whole dive. The last 800 psi I like to go to this one place about 30 meters from the surfacing point and just sit there at 25 feet. Grab a rock, sit down, and watch the world go by.

It's like my dad sitting out back by himself watching the sun set on his ranch. My spot just happens to be underwater.

 

[Iruka]

Me too....I dive nearly every day, guiding & teaching divers of varying skill levels, doing my best to 1) keep them safe 2) keep the environment safe FROM them and 3) give them a good dive. On the occasions when I dive alone, it's so peaceful & relaxing...nobody except myself to worry about, and with 4600+ dives I don't worry all that much....and I can do the dive at whatever pace I want....hover & drift for an hour or more, not concerning myself if someone might be bored by a slow pace or tired out by a faster pace.
Chris
www.letsdiveguam.com

 

[jeadiver]

If I'm hunting its safer for all if I am by myself away from the pack. If I'm shooting pictures its easier for me to take my time and get the shots. Every once in awhile, its just calmer and more peaceful to be by myself. That being said, I also have a few buddies who are joys to be with regardless of my pursuits because we communcate well, stay out of each other's way and have the same goals.

Joe.

 

[DORSETBOY]

When I was working abroad, I used to enjoy solo diving as a break from teaching, allowed me to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it without supervising a group of divers.

 

[kramynot2000]

I can do what I want, when I want, how I want. Its very peaceful as well.

 

[TKOS]

Sometimes I just like to get my gear on, lay on a sandy bottom area around 30 feet down and watch the tiny hermit crabs. I can do this for an hour and just get away from the world. It is very relaxing. It is only on those rare occasions when I see something extra cool that I wish someone else was there. But then that is what my camera is for.

 

[dennisg]

Iruka,

Would you please refrain from mentioning the glory and glamour of your 'tough day at the office' in your threads, some of us are trying to work for a living! How do you expect the rest of us to concentrate with minds full of images of you diving day-in and day-out in the glory of Guam. That's it, I have to go for a walk now to clear this tear from my eye...

That aside, I'm in agreement - solo diving rules! It's simple really: being comfortable solo diving is a sure sign of a competent, self sufficient, experienced diver. It's a level that all divers should seek to attain. What's that old paradigm we teach in entry level scuba class - always dive within the scope of your abilities! If you're competent and comfortable solo diving in 10m or 100m of water, then well done to you! If you're capable of doing a controlled emergency swimming ascent from 18m or 30m or even 50m, or have 1000 or 4600 dives under your belt, then who's any agency to say it's reckless? It's envy, that's what it is!

cheers,
Dennis in London

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Sometimes I Just like the solitude that comes with solo diving. It's nice not to have anyone else to worry about or keep track of during the dive and it allows a lot more freedom during the dive.

On a deep dive I can accomplish what I want to accomplish quickly and efficiently and I am free to modify or turn the dive as the situation requires without having to communicate the change to anyone. And with independednt doubles, over 1500 dives and better navigation skills than anyone else I know my deep dives solo involve less risk than deep dives with less proficient buddies and less stress than diving with even an equally competent buddy.

Solo diving is also about the only time I can actually cruise at my preferred speed and not have to turn around and wait for the group to catch up.

And as indicated above, when I want I can just park somewhere and watch the fish go by for half an hour with or without my camera. Way too many divers never see the beauty in the little details that you can see just sitting somewhere.

 

[cavemanxxx]

Its tranquil........ very satisfying........