Does Texas diving Breed solo divers?

[Vercingetorix]

Roofless, you're in Houston? Have you had a chance to dive Mammoth Lake yet? I know the viz is not too good there, since it is new and still filling. I've read a single report and am looking for others.

thanks

[luvs2scuba2]

I think the solo diving issue may be a "man" thing because I am like Foo2...I stick much closer to my buddy when the viz is low!

[roofless]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

Roofless, you're in Houston? Have you had a chance to dive Mammoth Lake yet? I know the viz is not too good there, since it is new and still filling. I've read a single report and am looking for others.

Didn't know about it until you just mentioned it! I just called the Clute Chamber of Commerce & they referred me to Hydrosports Scuba. They have a website with info on Mammoth Lake.

http://www.hydrosportsscuba.com/

Mammoth Lake Scuba Park - Now Open!

Grand Opening
May 31st/June 1st

Hydrosports Scuba at Mammoth Lake
Not everything is complete, but it is ready to dive!

Soon to come.. more entries, a bath house with hot showers and running water, more parking, the sinking of the C 130 and much more.

Park entry is $20 per diver/per day, cash or check only , please. non-diver fee is $10

The lake is open Thursday thru Tuesday. Extended hours on Saturday, please call for more info.
(979) 285-0600

Thanks for the heads up!

[awap]

IMO, unplanned solo diving is unacceptable. I enjoy diving solo, but if I undertake a dive as part of a team, we do whatever it takes to conduct the dive as a team. Lights are a big help in limited vis. If you know conditions are going to be tough, then do more planning to make it work. Avoid follow the leader in favor of side by side. When limited vis makes it difficult to see your buddy, use those lights to maintain contact. When your buddy turns into a blurry shadow, look a little above his location as bubbles from his exhale are often more visible than a black wetsuit. I carry a 6' buddy line in an unused weight belt pocket which works fine.

From the accident report records I have read over the years, most "solo diver" accidents are actually buddy separation incidents which may well have stimulated panic in the separated divers.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by digitalman

Illinos isn't any better. Had to surface twice on the descent trying to find my buddy (there were 3 of us...1 kept getting seperated).

In my experience having a team of 3 in bad viz just does not work. The only realistic way to keep 3 divers together is touch contact and that is more trouble than it's worth for a lake dive.

[Coaster]

If you plan to dive as a team (buddy) in Texas lakes, then it makes sense to follow the dive plan and not consider yourself a solo diver during that dive.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by Coaster

If you plan to dive as a team (buddy) in Texas lakes, then it makes sense to follow the dive plan and not consider yourself a solo diver during that dive.

True, however the self-reliance taught in a solo course could come in very handy, depending on the crisis. I do agree that if you're diving as a team, you should stay together as a team and follow the normal buddy diving rules.

[Flatliner]

I have tried diving as a team of 3 several times in Nebraska (Imagine Texas diving with only football team to be obsessed with) with limited success. I have been seriously considering trying solo myself for the same reasons cited. Last time I was at ST I picked up a second Flathead VI first stage. Anybody have some doubles they want to get rid of cheap?

[BubblesMcCoy]

Originally Posted by awap

IMO, unplanned solo diving is unacceptable. I enjoy diving solo, but if I undertake a dive as part of a team, we do whatever it takes to conduct the dive as a team. Lights are a big help in limited vis. If you know conditions are going to be tough, then do more planning to make it work. Avoid follow the leader in favor of side by side. When limited vis makes it difficult to see your buddy, use those lights to maintain contact. When your buddy turns into a blurry shadow, look a little above his location as bubbles from his exhale are often more visible than a black wetsuit. I carry a 6' buddy line in an unused weight belt pocket which works fine.

From the accident report records I have read over the years, most "solo diver" accidents are actually buddy separation incidents which may well have stimulated panic in the separated divers.

These are some great tips, I'm just not sure how practical thy would be in muck holes like Lake Murray which is just north of the Texas border, (Oklahoma really is just a suburb of Texas) viz is measured in inches. The bottom also has lots of logs, rocks, and other things to snag a buddy line. I don't dive solo, but at Murray and a few other North Texas spots, my buddy and I have to stay close enough to touch.

[Nemrod]

Originally Posted by Ryanh1801

What are the Texas members thoughts on this? IMO almost every Lake dive I consider my self solo, just for the fact some dives im lucky if I can see my own hands, much less see my buddy at all times. I recently did some solo dives, to me it was pretty natural thing and did not really bug me. What do yall think?

You are preaching to the choir, you want permission, go for it solo. I have been solo diving since I was 14 years old--completely alone. I don't justify, I don't make excuses, I like it that way and therefore I do it that way--solo.

When I do have a buddy, I never leave him or her.

Solo does not require justification or permission, if you are ready for it then do it.

N, ex-Texacan