Not Knowing what I don't know...

[PvtStash]

Hellohello... one of the things often mentioned in response to querries on solo diving (besides "your going to die" and "bad things will happen") is "You dont know what you dont know"...

Ok, thats reasonable enough... but not very helpful... give me Specifics. Specifics I can plan for/mitigate. Vague allusions to "bad things happening" are seen as so much Fear Mongering or jus' plain ol' Ignorance.

I would like to start making some solo dives this coming dive season... ,but only under the following conditions...

- very familiar dive site (dove dozens of times)
- 50' max depth (more commonly 35-40')
- redundant air (pony)
- bigger than usual primary backgas (LP121)
- knife & shears



I've got 51 dives (deepest being 101') , am in good health and believe I am approaching the idea of solo diving with the proper respect/mindset.

So... gimme some of the Concrete "what ifs" that would convince me I havent thought this through yet.

 

[jridg]

It's a very personal decision. Sounds like you are going into it with the proper mindset. Experience is the biggest factor for me. I didn't solo until I had been diving for many years. I was totally comfortable in the water - and I was totally comfortable with my equipment. My one and only air problem came while solo - I was filling a lift bag and froze my reg open in the VERY cold water. I simply went to the surface while remaining calm. No worries. Could it have turned out differently, sure - could the same thing have happened with a buddy who wasn't paying attention - sure.

Self-rescue and problem solving skills are the best things you can have on board. Lots of training and plenty of experience. I am not going to tell you that you are ready, I solo on occasion and who can say that I am totally prepared for anything.

Best of luck.

 

[PvtStash]

I appreciate your input... , do You know of any "what if" scenarios that one should consider/be able to deal with/have a plan for before going Solo ?

For the kind of Specific diving/location I'm asking about I dont see Any difficulties with an answer of "Surface" when faced with a problem.

It sounds pretty straightforward, but to that kind of response I usually hear the "well you dont know what you dont know"...

Ok fine so Tell me... ?

 

[kidsdream]

I don't necessarily mean formal training classes but certain "Fundamental" or intro classes do provide training that might be helpful.

Things that you should to be able consider prior to attempting a solo dive.

1. Lost or Broken mask drill - Could you comfortable finish a dive without your mask and not loose you buoyancy control? You can practice this by taking your mask off at the end of your dives before surfacing (put in your pocket or slide the strap around your arm). In frigid water (like White Star or Gilboa) this may be your biggest challenge as the cold water on your face is a true shock.

I would be surprised if at 50 dives if you find this very comfortable or easy in 50 degree water.

2. Configuration. It is not just about having a pony or knife, but can you deploy and use them properly. Have you practiced using these underwater? Can you reach your knife/shears. Can you easily get to your pony reg? Or even your Octo - is that bungied around your neck?

3. Have you practiced accessing and using your pony - again while maintaining your place in the water column?

The biggest question is how have you reacted when things have gone wrong when you were with a buddy. Can you calmly stop, think and then react?

Lastly your back gas sounds way overboard for a 50' dive, is there a reason for such a large tank? I could not think of one. If you are diving solo you should think about ending your dive with 50% of you air left. You might want to consider a gas management class. Call Sea the World in Farmington, MI and talk to James about this.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[PvtStash]

Training is an easy one , Everybody can benefit from additional training right? but on Closer inspection... what EXACT skills would you be referring to?

I can/have done complete mask removals in 50+ degree water, and have every confidence in the ability to surface without one on.

I can reach my shears/knife easily (tho' the prospect of having to deploy Either in Whitestar is so remote as to be laughable)

I dont own a pony yet (looking)... but I have practiced using my Octo, keep it in the "golden triangle" area (non-dangly) at all times.

As far as how I react when things go wrong? hard to say... things havent gone wrong... but maybe thats because I have Good dive habits and equiptment?

And TOO much backgas? whats That? thats a first for me... More gas = more time to think in an emergency, Extra gas is always good... (even if you never use need it). I've never heard anyone referring to having "too much gas" and its detrimental effects.


So... what else? what am I forgetting?

 

[dave4868]

Hellohello... one of the things often mentioned in response to querries on solo diving (besides "your going to die" and "bad things will happen") is "You dont know what you dont know"...

Ok, thats reasonable enough... but not very helpful... give me Specifics. Specifics I can plan for/mitigate. Vague allusions to "bad things happening" are seen as so much Fear Mongering or jus' plain ol' Ignorance.

I would like to start making some solo dives this coming dive season... ,but only under the following conditions...

- very familiar dive site (dove dozens of times)
- 50' max depth (more commonly 35-40')
- redundant air (pony)
- bigger than usual primary backgas (LP121)
- knife & shears

I've got 51 dives (deepest being 101') , am in good health and believe I am approaching the idea of solo diving with the proper respect/mindset.

So... gimme some of the Concrete "what ifs" that would convince me I havent thought this through yet.

Your approach to entering solo diving is a good one, but personal factors will be the most important, IMHO.

I believe the biggest risk factors for an open water diver, whether diving solo or with a buddy, are personal limitations of awareness, insight and resourcefulness that might lead to poor choices or even panic.

That doesn't sound like you, but you're in the best position to judge.... assuming you've got good insight, of course. That's where it gets tricky....

I'd suggest you just go slowly and continually ask yourself the "what if" questions while remembering that it's possible to get fooled and get into trouble.... :shocked2:

The best "what if" scenario I can give you is: "what if I've overestimated my ability to remain calm, cool-headed and self-sufficient?".

Then, add to your planning whatever you think will reduce the likelihood of that "what if" and you'll probably be fine.

Dave C

 

[captain]

The best "what if" scenario I can give you is: "what if I've overestimated my ability to remain calm, cool-headed and self-sufficient?".

Dave C

The biggest "what if" of all. The one you can't really practice for or know you are prepared for. This is the lesson and the test rolled into one.

 

[Zinc]

1. Lost or Broken mask drill - Could you comfortable finish a dive without your mask and not loose you buoyancy control? You can practice this by taking your mask off at the end of your dives before surfacing (put in your pocket or slide the strap around your arm). In frigid water (like White Star or Gilboa) this may be your biggest challenge as the cold water on your face is a true shock.

I would be surprised if at 50 dives if you find this very comfortable or easy in 50 degree water.

I would suggest carrying a backup mask when diving solo

 

[kidsdream]

Some comments:

1. Doing a mask removal on a platform or quickly in open water is not the same as loosing you mask and maintaining buoyancy. The skill you need to practice is try this and see if you don't go up or down and then do your safety stop.

2. Using and octo is different from using a pony - again practice its deployment.

3. Good diving habits, while very important can not eliminate all risk factors including equipment failures - I think this should be you biggest concern - until you have face some challenges - and we don't have to be talking about life threaten things - you really don't know how you will react. What would you do if your valve/yoke got caught in a line (lots of those in quarry's) and you could not easily reach it? Only time puts teaches you how to deal with things. Most often major issues are really the build up of 3 or 4 minor things.

4. My comment wasn't so much about the gas usage, but that is one big tank to be lugging around and balance out - combine that with a pony and you will go negative really easily if you have any bladder or inflater issues - it would seem something like LP or a HP 100 might be a better option, but that is up to you.

5. Also I did not add this the first time, but learning to deploy a lift bag or sausage from depth is also another skill you need to master. This is your back-up in case of a bladder failure, and can mark you or aid in doing a safety stop.

All IMHO.

Training is an easy one , Everybody can benefit from additional training right? but on Closer inspection... what EXACT skills would you be referring to?

I can/have done complete mask removals in 50+ degree water, and have every confidence in the ability to surface without one on.

I dont own a pony yet (looking)... but I have practiced using my Octo, keep it in the "golden triangle" area (non-dangly) at all times.

As far as how I react when things go wrong? hard to say... things havent gone wrong... but maybe thats because I have Good dive habits and equiptment?

And TOO much backgas? whats That? thats a first for me... More gas = more time to think in an emergency, Extra gas is always good... (even if you never use need it). I've never heard anyone referring to having "too much gas" and its detrimental effects.


So... what else? what am I forgetting?

 

[dave4868]

The biggest "what if" of all. The one you can't really practice for or know you are prepared for. This is the lesson and the test rolled into one.

Exactly. And self-awareness and insight can greatly help one avoid costly lessons, IMO.

Of course, like most of us, I've made a few diving mistakes and said, "What was I thinkin'?"

The most important thing I learned from those mistakes was that my judgment is fallible and I need to be conservative.

So far, the lessons have been worth the cost!

Dave C