Solo Diver

[divingbuddy]

I took the SDI course and found it rather interesting. I primarily took it so that I could present a card that would allow me to dive by myself when I so chose (many boat/charter captains have said that without such a card, I would need a buddy), but was impressed with the mental aspects of safely planning and conducting a solo dive that were reinforced by my instructor. Just my two cents...

[Dive-aholic]

Were there other students in that class? I've seen Solo Diver courses advertised - 3 student minimum!

[ianr33]

How many operators actually recognise the SDI solo card? Does it really let you dive solo from a boat belonging to,say,a PADI facility? Somehow I doubt it.

[Dive-aholic]

Dutch Springs in PA require it for solo diving. SDI boats kind of have to since it's an SDI cert. No, a PADI boat is not likely to allow it.

[divingbuddy]

Originally Posted by Dive-aholic

Were there other students in that class? I've seen Solo Diver courses advertised - 3 student minimum!

Just me (and the instructor). I know Steve Lewis (from SDI/TDI) has taught the course at Gilboa Quarry (he taught my father in law in a class of two). You can contact him and make arrangements.

[texdiveguy]

What do the shops that offer say the SDI Solo class charge for the course?

[Dive-aholic]

Originally Posted by divingbuddy

Just me (and the instructor). I know Steve Lewis (from SDI/TDI) has taught the course at Gilboa Quarry (he taught my father in law in a class of two). You can contact him and make arrangements.

I'm actually not interested. I'm married to my regular dive buddy. Any solo diving I do is usually from shore or on boats that don't care about the card.


tdg: I've seen them advertised in the $150-300 range, depending on who is offering it.

[divingbuddy]

I think I paid $200 for the course (plus I bought lunch).

I too am married to my regular dive buddy, but have had a few instances where I was alone and did not want the 'buddy' the boat crew wanted to give me. Having the card did avert any problems, and I was allowed to dive alone.

Cheers!

[DougNR]

Originally Posted by ertechsg

100 dives really? You have to have more dives to do solo than to be an instructor? Thats @#$%

Perhaps, but IMO an instructor should have more experience than current rules may call for. The comparison for me is more like "it only takes xx dives to be an instructor?"

Solo is not something I strive for, but something I try to be prepared for. An insta-buddy if you charter can pretty much be a solo experience.

Regards;

[Dabaras]

I think the easiest way to tell whether or not you are ready/capable of solo diving is that if you have to think about it, you aren't ready.