Well, I'm a mindset kind of guy on solo since that is how I started, well before I ever certified with an agency. You are taking your life in your hands and are responsible for the outcome of your dive. IF things "aren't right" get to the surface and sort it out immediately, you have no one else to help you. How do you feel diving alone? If events started going sideways, would you look at it a calamity or as an annoyance? Have you had a real "come to Jesus moment", how did you react?
I don't encourage anyone to go solo if I don't know them, but would point out that you are ultimately on your own when diving solo and if you are not up to it mentally and physically, regardless of gear, find a good buddy. All the redundant gear that is the mark of the new solo diver is of no use once you panic.
Also check out the Solo board.
Bob
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The most important thing to plan when solo diving is to make sure that you are not diving with an idiot. Dsix36
---------- Post added May 2nd, 2014 at 05:11 PM ----------
Actually, when you're exploring new terrain it's difficult to anticipate everything that you might find, since you've never been there.
And when I'm solo at 120 feet in total darkness with 6 inches of visibility, I get spooked even if everything is going smoothly.
If you didn't you would be crazier than I. If I'm not spooked, I know I'm too narked to be there.
Bob
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I think that advocating unsafe and dangerous practices is both stupid and foolish. That is why I don't tell people to do what I do. Dsix36
"the future is uncertain and the end is always near"
Jim Morrison