Definition of Solo Diving

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by WV Diver

For so many years it was forbidden fruit to even discuss solo diving. Things are changing, for the better, but it still has a ways to go. These discussions will continue even after solo diving becomes main stream and widely accepted. It's ok to be self sufficient whether diving with a buddy or not.

I see solo diving techniques becoming part of your basic open water cert. someday. When, I'm not so sure, but it is coming. It is always good to be able to rely on yourself. I believe this should be at the core of all training, even when you happen to be diving with a friend (buddy).

Even now it is a good course for everyone to have, even if they never intend on diving solo or if no charter service ever recognizes it as a valid certification. Good training and good practice using solo techniques can never replace the best buddy in the world.

I agree with this. Everyone should have good mastery of their setup and dive. That goes for nav., dive plan, and emergency procedures. A good buddy though can be the difference between life and death. Even a buddy your not sure of is better than nothing in my book. Anything solo (not another air breathing soul around) would have to be done with great care.

[WV Diver]

Originally Posted by Kidder

A good buddy though can be the difference between life and death. Even a buddy your not sure of is better than nothing in my book.

Hmm..... Agreed, Yes a good buddy can save your life.

Very much disagree with the statement that "even a buddy you are not sure of is better than nothing". This logic can get you killed. I see this as an example of inexperience or being complacent or unaware of possible problems with ones diving. Good guy logic is easy to succumb to. At least when I am solo I am in complete control.

Not ragging on you Kidder, I have heard this statement before. Think about it.

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by WV Diver

Solo diving is when you dive under the surface of the water by yourself, depending solely on yourself for everything.

Insta buddy is far more dangerous than solo diving.

Traveling alone is, traveling by yourself.

I agree with WV here. If you are intermediate to advanced diver, an inexperienced or "unknown" buddy is potentialy more dangerous.

Twice I have seen a "buddy" rip the primary from their bud and take them both to the surface out of control, fast. Fortunately I got to watch from a distance and all divers were ok. Confirms the comments here for me.

If I insta buddy (and I do on boats) I keep the perp in front of me a ways so I can keep an eye on him/her and react if needed. Doesn't make diving as much fun, but hey, it's still diving.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

I agree with WV here. If you are intermediate to advanced diver, an inexperienced or "unknown" buddy is potentialy more dangerous.

Twice I have seen a "buddy" rip the primary from their bud and take them both to the surface out of control, fast. Fortunately I got to watch from a distance and all divers were ok. Confirms the comments here for me.

If I insta buddy (and I do on boats) I keep the perp in front of me a ways so I can keep an eye on him/her and react if needed. Doesn't make diving as much fun, but hey, it's still diving.

I guess I've only dove with those who are experienced and people I know. If a dive partner really makes that poor of a decision. They can be a real danger to you. I guess I think to highly of my fellow divers. If they are a beginner and panic then they can bring you down.

[padi1029]

I consider myself a solo diver EVERY time I get into the water...whether with a buddy I have known and trusted for years or with an insta-buddy. Sure maybe I relax a little more with my trusted buddy but either way, in an OH SH-T situation the first person I depend upon and trust in is MYSELF....NO ONE will care as much about you as YOU ! Every diver should consider it their responsability to become proficient at self rescue and emergency managment. A buddy is good in a situation where self rescue is not possible. And in the situation of insta-buddy, who knows how your newly acquired "safety net" will perform in a stressful situation. When I am forced to insta-buddy I always tell them if I encounter a problem LET ME HANDLE IT.....unless I am unconscious or signal for your help. Keep the buddy stuff for sharing a beer and talking about the dive once back on the boat.

[Daved]

The only thing worse than an insta-buddy --is two.

[ozarkdiver]

Saw your forum, and since I solo all the time, thought I'd chime in here. I think it's pretty naive to think that divers never solo-dive. They do it all the time whether they know it or not. Consider the following scenarios:

Scuba instructor
Underwater photographer
Spearfishing
Rescue diver
Diving with a dependent diver (whether that be an insta-buddy, or my young son)

I actually re-wrote this note because it got really long-winded the first time (lots of pent-up frustration from having to sit and swallow the anti-solo stuff for so many years, and it's getting old). Basically I think all new divers should have to certify as a solo diver first, THEN be trained in the buddy system (if they wish). When you think of how many divers actually do very little diving, wouldn't it be nice to know that your insta-buddy was also a competent, solo diver? Also I agree with textdiveguy, in that you shouldn't do a dive that you wouldn't to solo (you never know when that buddy dive will become a solo dive).

All right, I'm off my soapbox now.

[easyrider003]

Well while diving in the bahamas recently, I was thinking about the whole solo diving thing thing. The instabuddy I was paired with, went to the college right down the road from where I live. Whats the odds of going from alabama to the bahamas and diving with someone you don't even know who lives withing 25 miles of yourself? Well once we hit the water I was pretty much on my own. He went his own way and was swimming so fast I could not even keep up. At times he was so far away that I couldn't see him or was having a hard time figuring out if it was my "buddy" or not. I considered it to be a solo dive because if anything had gone wrong I would have been completely on my own. Come to think of it, just about anyone I have ever gone diving with, with the exception of one has gone off on their own and left me alone. I know anytime you dive solo you are more at risk than normal, but just say a person were to stay within 25-30 of the surface, would that be fairly safe to do as long as you DO NOT ENTER any overhead environments?

[mitsuguy]

my biggest thing about diving with other people is worrying about their well being... realize I plan on being a DM and instructor, and I do like training / teaching / worrying about others....

HOWEVER...

when I am doing a fun dive, I really like going off and doing my own thing... plus, if you plan on diving solo, if you get split up in not so good of conditions, then you are still safe...

[david_57]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

I know that this may start off as a dumb question. But what would you consider is a solo diver?

Most people would think that it is someone who enters the water by themselves. I consider myself a solo diver because I dive during my business trips overseas where I always go alone. I go to a resort and will dive with a guide or with a couple of people and a guide but no one is assigned an insta-buddy. I consider and insta-buddy to be diving solo.

So, what do you think a solo diver is?

When you undertake a dive without a buddy but with the training and gear configuration as outlined in the SDI Solo course, without this you should never dive alone. I have my SDI Solo cert but use this as a backup when diving with a buddy if we should ever become separated!