Your solo protocols

[meesier42]

Originally Posted by fire diver

I gear-up for every dive as if it was a solo dive.FD

This is my basic philisophy so all dives, I have only one preperation method, and it doesn't change. The only thing that changes is the rig depending on conditions, ie. reel, fin choice, air source

[CompuDude]

Known site. Shallow depth. Full compliment of cutting tools. Some form of redundant air: shallow dives might be ok with a decent-sized pony, anything remotely deep assumes doubles.

I'll dive from a boat solo more readily than a beach, because on a boat there is a trained crew expecting my return in a reasonable amount of time... and often other divers from the same boat in the water at least somewhat near me. My personal depth limit from a beach is a LOT shallower than from a boat.

Generally I do NOT prefer solo diving. But I'll make exceptions in the right circumstances.

[K-Valve]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

What special or different diving protocols do you place in motion during 'solo' diving..?

Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy...

Gear: Doubles or a single with an H-Valve and pony, extra mask, at least two lights, two cutting tools, a 50 lb lift bag with a spool, computer with analog depth and pressure gauges, and two timing devices (watch and computer).

Protocol: SDI guidelines say don't tech dive solo (i.e. no overhead environments, including deco). I can't say that I've always adhered to that, but when I don't I always have someone topside monitoring the dive. I don't always dive in locations I'm completely familiar with, but I'll turn a dive in a heartbeat if I determine it's getting the least bit hazardous. Make sure someone topside knows your dive plan...this isn't something you want to play by ear or do without someone else having an idea of what your dive plan is. Always dive within the bounds of your experience and ability.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by K-Valve

Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy...

Gear: Doubles or a single with an H-Valve and pony, extra mask, at least two lights, two cutting tools, a 50 lb lift bag with a spool, computer with analog depth and pressure gauges, and two timing devices (watch and computer).

Protocol: SDI guidelines say don't tech dive solo (i.e. no overhead environments, including deco). I can't say that I've always adhered to that, but when I don't I always have someone topside monitoring the dive. I don't always dive in locations I'm completely familiar with, but I'll turn a dive in a heartbeat if I determine it's getting the least bit hazardous. Make sure someone topside knows your dive plan...this isn't something you want to play by ear or do without someone else having an idea of what your dive plan is. Always dive within the bounds of your experience and ability.

Good advice. I don't go so far as an H-valve, but I'm comfortable with those odds... each person should make their own [informed] decision on that front. I'm with you on the rest, however.

[pnevai]

I only use my normal gear, I do not do lakes, or any tech or penetration diving solo so entanglement is not an issue except for perhaps monofilament stuck to the reef. Two knives one at the ankle and on on the BC hose is enough. No spare mask as the dive is over anyway should I loose the one I am wearing. I have maintained my own gear for years now, including regulator service so I know the gear is in top shape before going out. I always have a standard console to back up the dive comp and I wear a citizen pro master dive watch set to depth gauge and timer mode just in case, I go over the dive tables and use that to set the timer on the watch so if for some reason the comp fails I can automatically revert to the tables and avoid a deco comitment. Depths up to 75 feet, but usually much shallower as most of my solos are beach dives. Of course being lucky enough for all of my solo dives to be in tropical florida water makes things much easier. The biggest variable in my solo dives is the weather, down in FLorida squalls can come up rather quick and nice calm water can get pretty rough in short order, but usually passes as quickly. I had to do the crawl exit a few times over the years. Forward surge, pull along the bottom like mad. Backwash dig fingers into the sand and hold on. Foreward surge, pull along the bottom like mad......... all the way out of the water LOL

[K-Valve]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Good advice. I don't go so far as an H-valve, but I'm comfortable with those odds... each person should make their own [informed] decision on that front. I'm with you on the rest, however.

Oops...forgot one important piece of equipment I always bring with me...solo dive or not. Since I do a lot of my diving in low to no vis I always have a compass. I take bearings above water before I submerge. As soon as I touch the bottom I check those bearings uw and note my depth. Good nav is crucial. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

CompuDude, or anyone else, this is a bit of an aside from this topic, but do you have any experience with Y-Valves or dive with anyone who uses one? I have been considering switching from H to Y on a couple of my singles, but haven't collected enough info yet to make an informed decision. TIA!

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by K-Valve

Oops...forgot one important piece of equipment I always bring with me...solo dive or not. Since I do a lot of my diving in low to no vis I always have a compass. I take bearings above water before I submerge. As soon as I touch the bottom I check those bearings uw and note my depth. Good nav is crucial. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

CompuDude, or anyone else, this is a bit of an aside from this topic, but do you have any experience with Y-Valves or dive with anyone who uses one? I have been considering switching from H to Y on a couple of my singles, but haven't collected enough info yet to make an informed decision. TIA!

You'd think compass would go without saying. It's foreign to me, since low viz and currents means a compass is a mandatory part of a diver's kit in these parts, but I read from people say all the time that they never bother to bring a compass. Just bizarre... Good to mention, though.

I've never used a Y valve. I used an H valve once... just long enough to convince myself that the hose routing was funky and I didn't like the bulk right behind my head. I don't use them anymore, since pretty anything that dicey that a blown first stage is a serious risk I'll be diving doubles or at least slinging a 40 anyway. I'll note that I've seen H valves a lot more than I've seen Y valves (I actually can only recall seeing one in actual use), so there's certainly a popularity factor there that may have some solid reasoning behind it. Are you unhappy with your H valve, or just curious?

[K-Valve]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

You'd think compass would go without saying. It's foreign to me, since low viz and currents means a compass is a mandatory part of a diver's kit in these parts, but I read from people say all the time that they never bother to bring a compass. Just bizarre... Good to mention, though.

I've never used a Y valve. I used an H valve once... just long enough to convince myself that the hose routing was funky and I didn't like the bulk right behind my head. I don't use them anymore, since pretty anything that dicey that a blown first stage is a serious risk I'll be diving doubles or at least slinging a 40 anyway. I'll note that I've seen H valves a lot more than I've seen Y valves (I actually can only recall seeing one in actual use), so there's certainly a popularity factor there that may have some solid reasoning behind it. Are you unhappy with your H valve, or just curious?

No, mostly just curious. I like the H-Valves for the most part. I do like a couple of the design features of the Y-Valve...the one-piece construction (i.e. the 2nd valve on the H-Valve is a separate, attached piece...which is not the case with the Y-Valves I've seen) and the fact that they are centered over the tank. Is this making sense? Probably minor details, but the 2nd valve on the H-Valve is seems like a possible failure point to me. I'm probably just over thinking this and leaning toward being over cautious. Popularity may be due to solid reasoning or good marketing...of that I am unsure. Consider the popularity of Yoke vs. DIN.

[pnevai]

I can't forget my compass, it is stuck in each spg console I own. IMHO a compass and how to use it has to be standaed equipment for every diver, no exceptions. I guess that answers one question if you are ready to solo dive. If you do not own a compass, or you do not know how to use it effectively then you are not ready to solo dive. What? Has the UW navigation skill been dropped from OW instruction? Last time I assisted in a OW class (1993) it was still required.

[meesier42]

I guess my kit doesn't change all that much, but the mental preperation, planning, and gear check preperation is much more critial. I guess my real problem is when I am diving with a buddy I tend to be a little more haphazard about getting in the water, I still check and double check everything, just don't mentally plan as much.