I think there may actually be two questions in the original post, or at least two answers in my mind. Perhaps this information can be gleaned from the prior responses, but let me try to put it concisely. The bulk of the responses seem to relate to the question of using a guide/dm when you are diving with a dive operation. You go out on a boat and they have a dm(s) and all of the support you would expect on the boat. So the first question I see is whether people go it alone/it is advisable to dive alone in those circumstances. I agree with most of the posts in that if a guide is not provided or required, my buddy and have never hired one and we actually prefer to go it alone. If you have a basic certification, this is about personal comfort and everyone in theory has the ability to do this.
The second questions is truly diving on your own, with no support other than what you bring. I also enjoy this and in principle, again, everyone with a basic certification can do this. On the other hand, without advanced training -- at least rescue diver in my mind -- you are not really even sufficiently aware of the ways you can get into trouble to understand how to prepare for them. We also enjoy this, but obviously you take a lot more direct resposibility to make sure you are properly equipped at the site to handle things that can go wrong. You don't have a first aid kit or emergency O2 and someone who knows how to use them unless you take care of it yourself. I can also tell you that we are much more conservative in the type of diving we do when we are not with an organized dive operation.
I hope this helps. I do agree with all of the comments about the benefits of guides in some circumstance, but I also like to set my own itinerary, seeing what I want to see and especially taking on the challenges that being truly self-sufficient demand when you are out on your own. I actually find that in cases where we dive with groups without a guide that the herd tends to follow the people who seem like the know where they are going. There is a whole vast ocean out there once you are off the dive boat and nothing is more annoying than people running into you when there is seemingly so much space around. So, by all means if you are comfortable with it and know you can do it safely, try going it alone (with your buddy) and leave the herd. It makes it a much more intimate experience.
The second questions is truly diving on your own, with no support other than what you bring. I also enjoy this and in principle, again, everyone with a basic certification can do this. On the other hand, without advanced training -- at least rescue diver in my mind -- you are not really even sufficiently aware of the ways you can get into trouble to understand how to prepare for them. We also enjoy this, but obviously you take a lot more direct resposibility to make sure you are properly equipped at the site to handle things that can go wrong. You don't have a first aid kit or emergency O2 and someone who knows how to use them unless you take care of it yourself. I can also tell you that we are much more conservative in the type of diving we do when we are not with an organized dive operation.
I hope this helps. I do agree with all of the comments about the benefits of guides in some circumstance, but I also like to set my own itinerary, seeing what I want to see and especially taking on the challenges that being truly self-sufficient demand when you are out on your own. I actually find that in cases where we dive with groups without a guide that the herd tends to follow the people who seem like the know where they are going. There is a whole vast ocean out there once you are off the dive boat and nothing is more annoying than people running into you when there is seemingly so much space around. So, by all means if you are comfortable with it and know you can do it safely, try going it alone (with your buddy) and leave the herd. It makes it a much more intimate experience.
