Originally Posted by Grin
For me solo diving compromised of two items that I don't listen to anyone else about, and figure it out for myself. Remember! when you go solo, what anyone else does, or thinks, dosn't matter. You have taken it upon yourself to figure out, and make sure, what is going to save you from yourself.
Mine are: redundant air supply (pony bottle), and the other item is: Realization at all times that I'm solo and need to proceed cautiously at times .
Those two items are not just items that get checked off as, "if I got them so I'm good for solo diving". As I will explain further:
The pony bottle needs configured specifically for you in a million ways. In my case I run the valve on, and have a big easily read gauge I can see before every dive for 100% confirmation. It's up to you, but many say they think running the valve off is better, and many say they need a gauge they can see at all times during the dive and on and on. There is just one thing for sure, there better be pressure in it when you need it! And there are many ways for there to unexpectedly not be pressure in it when you need it. This one topic(redundant air supply) can be discussed in a million directions: Size tank, kind of reg, setting of reg, exercising pony settup, practicing, location of pony, what type gauge and where located, valve on or off pre-emergency, verification predive and on and on. You got to take your pony really serious.
Item Number 2 for me: You also need to realize that when your down deep you are under the effects of Narcosis whether you think so or not, no matter what. So when solo, it is important to proceed slow and stop and think, and remind yourself Narcosis is at work, even if you don't think so. " Should I go in that wreck?" " Should I stick my arm up in that hole to grab that lobster?" Maybe slow down and shine your light around extra careful before doing something like either of those to be super sure you don't get tangled in fishing line or get bit by a huge Moray eel.
To make it short: Redundant air supply and mindset are the two things I think are what makes a safe solo diver. But those two things need to be tore down and adjusted for you personally. Many use 40 cf ponies for what I use a 13 for. Many run their pony valve off during thier dive vs on. Neither is right or wrong depending on everything.
Out of my last 100 dives, maybe two dives had another diver in the water. I'm 99% solo, for more than a few years now.
Get a pony, and start rigging it, and use it a little to see what you need to change. You'll prpobably change everything before you have a settup you are 100% happy with for yourself.
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