Your solo protocols

[texdiveguy]

Thanks to all that have posted on my thread....tons of good info..

Y valves are pretty pricey for a good one. I have never used one myself....only know of one local diver whom has a few. I use a DR H-valve on my single steel HP130...love it.

[Hemlon]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

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

I bought mine with the sole intent of using it for solo diving.

But after using it while solo-ing, I now use it all of the time. Solo, with a buddy, whatever.

[Timeliner]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

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

I always eat better before I dive Solo then before a buddy dive.
After all, I'm eating for two right ?

I feel more relaxed. I gear up in silence except when I laugh at myself.
I feel like I'm doing something sneeky so I get paranoid sometimes but that gets the mind working better I think.

I try to make sure the books are in order before I leave the house.
Actually...Solo Diving has been a positive thing for my bottom line.
I used to worry about things more and now I clear the desk so to speak before I dive. I think it allows me to focus on having fun and not feel guilty about crap I didn't do. I come home with a clear mind, new plans and a smile.

[tedwhiteva]

Doubles or H valve and pony.
dry suit for back up BC
2 lift bag/reel for signal(red), triple backup BC(yellow)
Daytime
No overhead
No deco

Side note - dove solo at Dutch Springs, PA for first time couple of weekends ago. They have staff posted at Lake view points with binoculars all day. I had to carry Rf dive locator (rented) give them dive plan and check into water and out of water with the staff. Good operation.

[russp]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

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

Being new at this, I only solo dive to practice basic skills (bouyancy, navigation, etc). I'll only go to a contained area I know such as Clear Springs Scuba Park or Athens Scuba Park which just about eliminates the unknown hazards of an open lake (fishing line, drifting logs, whatever). I also don't swim through any of the planes, boats or sharks where I could get snagged and depth isn't an issue at these places..

[emcbride81]

Dittos on the max depth...the surface is my air redundancy right now, so I don't go below 50 feet, and I usually come up with more air just in case.