yes i did it... officially alone...

[neopluredon]

as in really alone... not instructed to hide slates etc... and boy did my instructor cussed at all the gods he can think of...

i only did 60ft though... but then again, for me it's already a big achievement i was able to get rid of "bad thoughts" of sharks in my head or whatever..

 

[Doc Harry]

congratulations!

 

[MichiganScott]

i only did 60ft though... but then again, for me it's already a big achievement i was able to get rid of "bad thoughts" of sharks in my head or whatever..

You made it.... Congratz! I see you're in the Phillipines? Are there a lot of sharks to have "bad thoughts" about around there? I used to do a lot of snorkeling on my own when I was stationed there in the USMC and never saw any.

 

[drbill]

Solo diving can be a great pleasure. However, I see that you only have less than 100 dives. Are you sure you are ready for solo diving? Maybe your instructor cussed you out for good reason. Knowing nothing of your skills or experience, I can't make that decision for anyone else.

Other than proper equipment (redundant air supply and other equipment), the most important factor in deciding if you are ready for solo IMHO is how you react to emergencies. If you have not experienced such incidents, you probably don't know that yet. However, your fear of sharks does suggest that you might not have the calm response necessary when a hose blows or you get entangled.

Think long and hard about it. If you choose to continue solo diving, be safe and enjoy it.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Welcome to the Dark Side

 

[neopluredon]

@ Doc Harry & LeadTurn_SD: thanks guys

@ MichiganScott: the first thing that actually got me scared when diving was attacking sharks and whatever lies beneath... good thing though that the viz was great.

@ drbill: well, yep.. because i snoozed off and missed the next dive, i first planned to just practise my buoyancy at 40ft because my instructor wanted me to get rid of the extra 2 lbs on my weight belt . then when my buoyancy was fine and still had 2000 psi, i wandered off. i do get your points and i do admit that was a misdeed, which just happen to have good results. after that dive, i was also revisiting in my mind what i have done and what could have happened had the conditions turned out unfavorable... i would probably do the next solo when i get a pony bottle or whatever life support system equipment you guys can suggest. and of course have more dives. i just have this standard of 100% self-reliance before i finally decide to take a dm course and it won't happen if i don't overcome the fear of whatever lies beneath. thanks for the points bill i truely appreciate the concern

 

[deeper thoughts]

I love solo diving. Here in the Keys you will need a shovel to go deeper then 30ft on most reefs.(thats a good thing)

 

[dave4868]

as in really alone... not instructed to hide slates etc... and boy did my instructor cussed at all the gods he can think of...

i only did 60ft though... but then again, for me it's already a big achievement i was able to get rid of "bad thoughts" of sharks in my head or whatever..

Why was your instructor upset? What did he say to you about your solo dive? Do you think he's right? Will he be the one signing off on your future certifications?

My view is just think for yourself, carefully weigh the risks and have good contingency plans.

If you did that, congratulations!

If not, it would be better to re-think, right? :shocked2:

Dave C

 

[idocsteve]

You're better off solo diving with redundant equipment then taking a chance on an unknown buddy.

I too enjoy solitary activities and Scuba diving is no exception.

 

[neopluredon]

idocsteve: before i started diving, climbing was my sport. i realised when i led my first climb, it's hard to deal with people especially if it's gonna be your first time traveling together... eventually i went solo and enjoyed it. i thought diving would change all that but then again, the more i dive with a lot of people, the more i am leaning towards going solo. no matter what happens you are still accountable for your buddy and troubleshooting underwater is no joke due to limited communication, time and air.. there is also a possibility that a buddy can kill you just like what happened to one of my friends, who stopped diving after her buddy drowned almost drowned her at 60ft, for the simple reason that her panicky buddy forgot what "out of air" sign means.

dave4868: my instructor is pretty conservative. if underwater safety turned human, it's him.