Entering the water without resurfacing

[Skred]

I've been on boats in Coz where they had us do a negative entry because the thimble jellies were rampant. They usually put a DM in the water first, though.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by inventor

Newb here, Just heard about solo diving two weeks ago, when a tek diver in our group went out alone while us rec divers buddied up three to a dive. I was really shocked to learn that my dive buddy (just topped 100 dives), will be getting solo diver certified. Had no idea this was allowed, much less encouraged. Still a newb, but don't think I'll be diving solo. This thread's title says it all;

'Diving without resurfacing', I'd rather not have the 'without resurfacing' part be permanent.

Solo has it's pro's and con's. I have a solo card but still like buddy diving more. Just sometimes a dive has to be made and no one else to go with... Solo is a bit contrary to your training up till now isn't it? You're wise in your decision.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by Lulubelle

Recently, we did have a solo diver with doubles stride and sink like a rock to the bottom because his air was not on and he was quite negative upon entry. I'm sure that popping to the surface was not an option, but it is too bad he couldn't ditch his equipment or turn his air on.

I'm all for redundant safety checks in any way that my buddy and I agree to. There are divers lost every year here from my understanding. Some from errors like this, some due to an inability to handle the currents, etc. All I know is that I will never solo dive in NC! Or anywhere else for that matter. Not for me. Redundant equipment certainly makes it a reasonable choice for some, but I prefer a trusted buddy with a brain as my backup.

I won't speculate since I don't know anything about the accident, but the thing is his training should have prevailed assuming he actually had training diving doubles.

[comet24]

Originally Posted by DMWiz

I won't speculate since I don't know anything about the accident, but the thing is his training should have prevailed assuming he actually had training diving doubles.

Not sure a buddy would have helped. Anyone diving doubles should be able to turn on/off the air on both there tanks in the water.

Easiest way to check air before jumping in. Put your reg in your mouth, watch you pressure gauge, take a few breaths. If the gauge goes down and doesn't come instantly back up check your air.

[Lulubelle]

My understanding is that the fellow was impatient to be the first one in the water and simply was sloppy pre dive. It is impossible to know why he couldn't turn his air on or ditch his equipment. Panic can make the best training go to h...

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

Solo has it's pro's and con's. I have a solo card but still like buddy diving more. Just sometimes a dive has to be made and no one else to go with... Solo is a bit contrary to your training up till now isn't it? You're wise in your decision.

To the contray of what many divers 'think' or are 'taught' by an agency, SOLO is actually a very safe manner in which to dive. I prefer only to dive with other budd or 3 in some team technical dives, but for rec and some tech solo is the way to fly. By the way I don't need any SDI f'ing solo card to dive solo either, they are skills and procedures I picked up from only one source and that is experience.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by Lulubelle

Panic can make the best training go to h...

Absolutely agree...

All the training is not going to help you if you don't practice what has been taught.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a negative entry, nor is there anything wrong with diving solo. But anyone better know what they're doing before attempting either.

ReefHound said best already,

Just because someone misuses or botches a procedure doesn't mean the procedure itself is unsafe.

To answer the op, when I dive solo I'm doing single tank NDL dives and out of habit I put a few puffs of air on my wing during pre-dive checks. That's usually enough to keep me afloat. That is unless I'm tying in to a wreck and getting down as quick as possible is a must.

[cmburch]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

Not sure the term hot or cold drop apply, but you got a ringer!!! It's so common to see divers in outr state bob back up for a few seconds then drop together. Seems like such a waste unless there is a reason to resurface. Reef I hope you and family are well and you have had a better year than I!

I can see that there are different conditions which affect opinions like Largo mentioned.

My "local" (Day Trip) California coast stretches from Big Sur to Mendocino. When I swim out, I am on the surface. When I kayak, I don my Rig in the water. On my boat if I backward roll off, I will wait at the surface to ensure everyone is fine before descending. Even when solo, I swim back to my kayak or boat to grab my gun and make sure all is secure before diving. So I do not enter the water and resurface. I never go under; I am at the surface.

I plan my dives. I will not end a SCUBA dive with an outgoing tide near a river or bay. I can when I freedive since I am with my kayak or boat. I will not solo SCUBA dive in strong currents or high seas. I do not want to get separated from my boat or have it go adrift. Even when diving with others it is safer to have someone who knows how to operate the boat stay on board for night dives and when in high seas or strong currents. When seas are greater than 8', I will dive in a protected westward to southward facing bay or cove. Or I may just go for a swim and/or hike.

I can see if solo diving with support what you are talking about.

I tend to at least double check everything for my type of solo diving. I would never just drop off into the water and submerge without swimming around to see that everything is secure, grab my gun, and recheck myself.

[ReefHound]

Originally Posted by cmburch

I tend to at least double check everything for my type of solo diving. I would never just drop off into the water and submerge without swimming around to see that everything is secure, grab my gun, and recheck myself.

To be fair, Tex said he rechecks everything - he just does it underwater. It seems people missed that part. This isn't about taking off blind and skipping the final check, it's about where to do that final check.

Some checks can be done better at depth than on the surface. Tech divers are taught to do a bubble check immediately after descent, as well as S-drills and valve drills. I guess solo divers would skip the S-drill. You should also verify you can reach all your clips and gear under water. Being able to reach them on the surface or on land doesn't guarantee that. And check all your lights are operational and not flooded.

[navyhmc]

I do an S-drill...I check and test my pony before going further.