Your solo protocols

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by fire diver

This year I solo-ed to 102 in an area I am very familiar with. My next dive in that spot will be to about 120, then the next will be to the river channel bottom at 134.

FD

FD,,, what lake you diving?

[fire diver]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

FD,,, what lake you diving?

This is at Tenkiller, at the dive park. I may have to go play around at 70-80 for while. Tim was supposed to drop a seaknight helicopter on a ledge just outside of the old park boundary. Haven't talked to him since I got back from Ft. Polk, so I don't know for sure if it's down yet.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by fire diver

FD,,, what lake you diving?

[/quote]This is at Tenkiller, at the dive park. I may have to go play around at 70-80 for while. Tim was supposed to drop a seaknight helicopter on a ledge just outside of the old park boundary. Haven't talked to him since I got back from Ft. Polk, so I don't know for sure if it's down yet.[/quote]

Hey that is neat....we are planning a run up ourselves to TK, though will be in a few weeks.

[cgvmer]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

I don't add any gear to my kit from what I would use or carry in sport diving with a close buddy, being that all my diving is approached as if I am alone anyways. I too dive only sites I have dove before.

So what does your regular kit consist of?

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by cgvmer

So what does your regular kit consist of?

For sport diving: single steel HP 130 with H-valve, 7 ft. primary and bunged secondary. 3 knives and a pair of HD shears. Wrist compass,safety sausage,lift bag,whistle,mirror,2 or 3 dive lights as needed. Finger spool and or reel. Min. of 19cf. pony bottle slung.

[cgvmer]

So you are going for full redundancy, other than mask.

I assume pony provides air redundancy, and lift bag/safety sausage should provide emergency lift for a BC failure.

Thanks

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by cgvmer

So you are going for full redundancy, other than mask.

I assume pony provides air redundancy, and lift bag/safety sausage should provide emergency lift for a BC failure.

Thanks

Yea I rarely carry a second mask while sport diving. You are right---the pony is contingency gas and the lift bag is there as needed.

Are you doing any solo diving?? I never recommend it to anyone, but was curious if this is a diving form you might be considering.

[texarkandy]

Originally Posted by fire diver

This year I solo-ed to 102 in an area I am very familiar with. My next dive in that spot will be to about 120, then the next will be to the river channel bottom at 134.

FD

Just curious what concerns you have re: narcosis (never having been narc'd it's just theoretical to me)

Not that I have any intention of solo-diving myself anytime in the near future (and I have no criticism whatsoever of those who do it thoughtfully & with experience), I was just trying to make up a comprehensive list in my mind of the safety concerns of solo and how they can be addressed/mitigated:

1. Air supply - free flow, just ran out (should never happen!), etc
resolved with redundant air of course

2. Entanglement hazards
know your area - cutting tools - what else?

3. Other equipment malfunction (bcd?, weights)

4. Dive related health problem (narcosis,cramps, what else?)

5. Other Health problem requiring assistance to the surface (impending heart attack symptoms, extreme nausea/illness, etc)

6. What else? ....


I'm sure a lot of this is covered in the SDI course, but for those of us who haven't taken it........

[tonka97]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

How many people dive with a pony bottle? Do you carry one just because you are diving solo?

Yes, if solo, then pony bottle, or doubles.

My trusty pony has already prevented a bad situation! I will always cherish it!

[fire diver]

Originally Posted by texarkandy

Just curious what concerns you have re: narcosis (never having been narc'd it's just theoretical to me)

Not that I have any intention of solo-diving myself anytime in the near future (and I have no criticism whatsoever of those who do it thoughtfully & with experience), I was just trying to make up a comprehensive list in my mind of the safety concerns of solo and how they can be addressed/mitigated:

1. Air supply - free flow, just ran out (should never happen!), etc
resolved with redundant air of course

2. Entanglement hazards
know your area - cutting tools - what else?

3. Other equipment malfunction (bcd?, weights)

4. Dive related health problem (narcosis,cramps, what else?)

5. Other Health problem requiring assistance to the surface (impending heart attack symptoms, extreme nausea/illness, etc)

6. What else? ....


I'm sure a lot of this is covered in the SDI course, but for those of us who haven't taken it........

Narcosis effects vary depending on the diver and the diver. I think I was a tiny bit narced on that 102 dive. I didn't feel completely comfortable. THe little voice was saying "OK, you've pushed a little deeper than before, don't get carried away. You're doing good, lets go back up and play in the shallower water for while."

But that's to be expected. I try to always pay attention to my surroundings, my body and my emotional state.

Air supply, yes redundant is the way to go is you solo

entanglements, 2 cutting tools, on opposite areas of your body. Know your area. Proceed VERY slowly if you are in new territory with trees, debris, line, or any other hazards.

Equip malfunctions, check every piece of gear thoroughly before the dive. Have a plan for every item that could fail.

Any health problems that can't be solved in the water (narcosis, ear clearing problems, cramps) get to the top as fast a SAFELY possible. Don't make a bad problem twice as bad because you did an impression of a polaris missle.

FD