Issues with solo diving.

[bigman241]

I agree you are properly more then qualifide to solo. I know being new i do not know nothing but to me how does alittle card make you solo ready. how much about redundant air in the short time. This is why when i get my tax return i plan on getting a redundant air setup. TO start down the road. I will add what i need to add untill i can ask myself am i ready and say yes.

Originally Posted by ianr33

An experienced cave/wreck diver will know much more about redundant gear configurations and gas planning than most divers.

I dive solo quite a bit (most of the time sidemount) Do not have a solo card but am cave and trimix certified. Seems like a reasonable substitute to me.

[in_cavediver]

In my opinion, its not about cards or gear. Solo requires a different attitude and approach to diving. Just about any tec diver is quite capable to solo dive. Some rec only divers are quite capable of solo diving - especially those trained 'back in the day'.

The trick is to have the tools and know how/when to use said tools when diving. There is no shortcut to expierence here.

Originally Posted by bigman241

I agree you are properly more then qualifide to solo. I know being new i do not know nothing but to me how does alittle card make you solo ready. how much about redundant air in the short time. This is why when i get my tax return i plan on getting a redundant air setup. TO start down the road. I will add what i need to add untill i can ask myself am i ready and say yes.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

If you're on a charter and lose your buddy too many times, they will deny you dives.

They might, but it isn't an absolute. In these parts, it's not at all unusual for divers to solo from charter boats... or to leave the boat in pairs and return solo, especially when hunting.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

They might, but it isn't an absolute. In these parts, it's not at all unusual for divers to solo from charter boats... or to leave the boat in pairs and return solo, especially when hunting.

I guess I should have said "may deny.." I have been on a few charters out of West Palm Beach where there were a few new "I am OW certified so I know it all" types that constantly took off without waiting for their buddy-one time it was my supposed insta-buddy that had 5 dives to his name. after being warned, the DM pulled their remaining tanks.

In the one case, after I hit the water, my buddy was no where to be found. I was initally worried that soemthing had happened to him. After I finaly found him, signaled "ok" he did a head shake and was off, I couldn't keep up with him-no hunting going on. Told the DM I needed a different buddy as this one was a huge risk. I tripled with an group and this guy sat out the rest of the day.

[Tassie Diver]

There are no problems with solo diving when there are no problems

The problems are in other peoples perceptions.

IF you are comfortable in the water. IF you are not prone to panic. IF you are a skilled diver. IF you have the necessary equipment to self-rescue. Only THEN should you consider solo diving.

Cheers

TD.

[navyhmc]

Eloquently put Tassie.

The problem is when there are problems. If you are not prepared by either skill, experience or training, then those problems can and will rapidly compound.

[maverick]

There have been times that either I start up with a GROUP of divers or as a team and seem 2 get seperated and I wound up finishing a dive myself. After looking 4 the group or other diver and followed procedure in trying 2 locate I might as well dive solo. And this has occured a number of times. So I might have been diving solo from the start of the dive. Scuba police look 4 them on ST or SB or?

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by maverick

There have been times that either I start up with a GROUP of divers or as a team and seem 2 get seperated and I wound up finishing a dive myself. After looking 4 the group or other diver and followed procedure in trying 2 locate I might as well dive solo. And this has occured a number of times. So I might have been diving solo from the start of the dive. Scuba police look 4 them on ST or SB or?

a) get better buddies

b) don't try to dive in groups of more than 3. It doesn't work well. Multiple groups of 2-3 are welcome to follow the same path, but anything you have more than two buddies, you're asking for these sorts of problems, because everyone assumes someone else is keeping an eye on the other person.

[navyhmc]

Don't let mav kid you! I tired to lose him on two dives and no matter what, there he was!!!!

Hi Mav!!! Just kidding!

[maverick]

Navy that was one of the best dives I had.