How soon is too soon?

[navyhmc]

Work on your skills and comfort in the water, take your AOW as planned and just get out and dive. The water portion of solo is not that difficult, even less so if you are very confortable in the water. One of the hardestparts for me was the no-mask swim in cold: 55f water. I had a small case of laryngeal spaws when my mostly warm face came in contact with cold water. No problem, I just relaxed and exhaled a few times and went on-the cold on the eyes wasn't too fun either.

But the point is you need to be very self-sufficient before taking the class. Can you solo withoutthe class? Yes. But I don't recommend it.

[Kingpatzer]

Originally Posted by NitroWill

If you doubt your self, you are ready.

You should be completely confident (but not cocky) of your capabilities

You should be honestly aware of your limitations and have that opinion validated by a far more experienced and skilled diver or two. If there's a discrepancy between your view and theirs where you think you are better than they do - you're probably not ready.

You should be positive that you can take care of yourself..

You should know that you won't always be able to take care of yourself, and be aware of what types of situations would cause that to be the case so you can avoid them at all costs.

Redundant air soures would also be a pretty good option..

Are essential.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by Kingpatzer

You should be honestly aware of your limitations and have that opinion validated by a far more experienced and skilled diver or two. If there's a discrepancy between your view and theirs where you think you are better than they do - you're probably not ready.

You should know that you won't always be able to take care of yourself, and be aware of what types of situations would cause that to be the case so you can avoid them at all costs.

Are essential.

Spot on KingPatzer!

If you have to convince yourself that you're ready, you aren't. This can lead to panic when panicing is not going to help.

Redundant air is not only essential, it's a requirement! It can be a pony or independant doubles (that have at least 1/3 of the total gas required for that dive.) Knowing ahead of time what waits in thewaters is also important.

[Darthwader]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

Spot on KingPatzer!

If you have to convince yourself that you're ready, you aren't. This can lead to panic when panicing is not going to help.

Redundant air is not only essential, it's a requirement! It can be a pony or independant doubles (that have at least 1/3 of the total gas required for that dive.) Knowing ahead of time what waits in thewaters is also important.

I had a conversation with a dive shop employee once regarding RBS. I use it because that's wjat my agency preaches as the preferred method of redundancy. and when I asked why no one else teaches that way his reply was "because they don't want you diving solo." I took that to mean that an RBS is SO essential to solo diving as to be synonymous with it. what people may fail to recognize is that an RBS is ONLY ONE requirement for this activity; you still need skills and an honest self evaluation before you jump in.
One other thing. just because you may have had and eneventful solo dive, don't think you're ready.
sorry for the first person singular NavyHMC, this obviously wasn't aimed at you, but I've got very strong opinions about this and once I get up on that soap box it's hard to get down.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by Darthwader

I had a conversation with a dive shop employee once regarding RBS. I use it because that's wjat my agency preaches as the preferred method of redundancy. and when I asked why no one else teaches that way his reply was "because they don't want you diving solo." I took that to mean that an RBS is SO essential to solo diving as to be synonymous with it. what people may fail to recognize is that an RBS is ONLY ONE requirement for this activity; you still need skills and an honest self evaluation before you jump in.
One other thing. just because you may have had and eneventful solo dive, don't think you're ready.
sorry for the first person singular NavyHMC, this obviously wasn't aimed at you, but I've got very strong opinions about this and once I get up on that soap box it's hard to get down.

I usually don't take things personally...We all have opinions and being able to speak honsetly is important.

As I have stated before, with the exception of this one class; Solo, every one has been strongly enforcing the buddy system and all that goes with it. I will never say solo is for everyone, rather I will say it is for a very small group. I have also noted that some agencies have recently been getting on an anti-solo soap box of sorts themselves. The fact that you were told that an independant pony will make you dive solo (if I understood you correctly) is an example.

Since taking the solo course, I have had 20 solo dives and 25 buddy dives. On some of the dives, I have had to do some problem solving and they weren't exactly problem free or went as planned. I know a gentleman who admittedly made numerous dives to 150' on an AL80 with no redundant system and became very comfortable doing that profile and had no problems at all. Then he did have a problem: His reg froze open...he could not handle the emergency because he had never encountered it nor had he planned for it. The good news is that it happened at 140' and he was able to make it to 120' where his buddy was waiting-the buddy did have a pony and gave it to him for the fairly fast trip to the surface. So you are correct; an uneventful solo dive does not in and of itself make you ready. But having a good number of dives and being very comfortable in the water and having good decision making skills can lend itself to being ready.

The best thing I can say is that if someone has made the decision to go solo:
1. Be honest with yourself and do a good self-evaluation and self-doubt check first.
2. Research the solo program and read the text through and give your self a lot of "what-if's"
3. Take the class first and foremost. I do not recommend doing a solo dive until you have.
4. Realize that the class is only the begining, continue to learn and practice.
5. There is indeed additional risks involved with solo diving, be sure you are willing to accept those risks.
6. No matter what else, do not become overconfident and cut corners. Karma is not big on forgiveness!

[Zeagle Eagle]

I don't solo dive.






anymore