Definition of Solo Diving

[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?

[thesmoothdome]

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?

I've insta-buddied on a lot of occassions. I tend to pay attention to my buddy more when I'm paired with someone I don't know, just because I don't know what to expect from them, but since I know where they are at all times, I know where my air source is if I encounter a problem.

I consider solo diving to be when I enter the water without any buddy and don't have a group or don't plan on staying with one. If I don't have someone to immediately help me with a problem, I'm solo.

[rainmaker]

I'm solo when I go underwater alone, and have no one to depend on but myself.

If I have a buddy, even an insta-buddy, I don't consider it a solo dive.

[texdiveguy]

I never do any dive I don't feel I could complete if nessecary being solo.

For me basically solo diving is very simply diving by myself without a dive partner.

[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.

[coyote]

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 second the insta buddy thing. Nothing's worse then looking over at your newly assigned dive buddy and thinking "If something goes wrong he'll kill us both."

[WV Diver]

Originally Posted by coyote

I second the insta buddy thing. Nothing's worse then looking over at your newly assigned dive buddy and thinking "If something goes wrong he'll kill us both."

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by coyote

I second the insta buddy thing. Nothing's worse then looking over at your newly assigned dive buddy and thinking "If something goes wrong he'll kill us both."

If ever I had such a buddy and really ever thought that, I would abort the dive....there is no reason that anyone should get in such a situation that would put themselves in extremely grave danger to rescue a dive buddy....we should do what we can short of putting ourselves into a life threating situation....you have to know when its time to break it off. We all must approach all dives as solo dives even with your closest buddy....if you would not or could not execute the dive solo than its not the dive to go on. Stop-Think-Act. IMO

[deepdiver47]

that is what I am getting at. If you dive with solo in mind then that guy isn't an issue. You are on your own and you should dive like that. Why would you trust an insta-buddy anyway?

My dives take place in Micronesia and in Indonesia whereby I have a guide, a boat and driver and that is it.
So do I call this guy an insta-guide? No I do not. His best interest is to bring me back vertical.

[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.