How did Solo Divers become a Tech Forum sub-forum?

[MauiScubaSteve]

ATTENTION - READ THIS FIRST

Solo Diving is replete with it's own hazards. As with any diving discipline, Solo Diving should never be taken on lightly, without proper training or just because you are too lazy to find a buddy. In fact many agencies frown on this practice, and some prohibit it out-right.

Still, there are many out there who practice this type of diving and so it's techniques and safety should be discussed in an open forum. As with all open forums, it is up to the individual diver to ascertain the validity of anything suggested within. There are many who would offer you their opinions and yet have never done a solo dive or are possibly unsafe divers. Only YOU have control over your destiny. Choose who you listen to wisely.

This is a no-troll zone! The discussion is not to be centered around whether to do a solo dive, but in the techniques and strategies involved. Do not participate if you have already decided that solo diving is not for you! Thanks in advance.​

That was posted August 4th, 2004, in the Solo Divers sub-forum, as the "sticky" titled ...

"ATTENTION - READ THIS FIRST"

Was 2004 when Solo Diver first became an SDI certification?

According to the "Wikipedia histories" - IAND was formed in '85, as a "recreational" nitrox agency. Then it merged with EATD, in '91 or '92, becoming IANTD. Then in '93 TDI "splintered off" from IANTD, and in '99 SDI was formed as the "recreational diving" sister of TDI.

One of SDI’s most popular courses, the solo diver program teaches experienced recreational divers how to safely dive independently of a dive buddy or strengthen your buddy team skills. The course stresses on proper dive planning, personal limitations, accident prevention as well as the benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for diving solo. You will also learn the additional equipment that is required for solo diving including it’s proper usage and assembly. This is the prefect course for underwater photography and underwater video divers.

So, it seems quite obvious that SDI Solo Diver is a recreational diving certification, not a technical diving certification.

Why is the Solo Divers sub-forum in the Technical Diving forum? ​

 

[HowardE]

Where should it go then?

The reason it was posted in 2004 is most likely because that's when they created the forum.

 

[gmanstan]

Hmmm, good question "where should it go?" I dont really consider "Solo Diving" tech diving for most applications its not in an overhead environment or a deco or tri/mixed gas situation. As mentioned above its applicable for photographers/video work, not to mention a lot of "hunting" as well.I've been on several Lobster hunting trip where the norm is 20 -30 people exit the boat go there own ways and return one by one.A prime example of "Non-Tech" solo diving.
I see even SDI's solo diver course seems to stress most skills/practices that an AOW/Master Diver should have anyway. The basic skills of dive planning,emergency skills,stress & rescue skills ect. But maybe with an emphasis on really learning them & making them 2nd nature as there's no one else to look to if any situation arises.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Where should it go then?

The reason it was posted in 2004 is most likely because that's when they created the forum.

Well Howard, thanks for asking.

So far, no SDI Solo Instructors have corrected this Wikipedia SDI Solo Diver statement. I am hoping for clarification but it would seem that the location of the Solo Divers forum in Tech Diving promotes posts that violate TOS.

As part of mitigating risks in solo diving the following specific practises have been adopted by SDI for solo diving or are key recommendations by Von Maier—"the father of solo diving":

• All solo diving is to be done within recreational dive limits (no deep, decompression, penetration, or rebreather dives while solo).
• No dives which push one’s personal experience limits are ever to be undertaken while solo
• No solo dives are to be undertaken in areas where there are known sources of entanglement/entrapment^[4]
• Solo dives will only be undertaken to depths at which safe bailout is certain, and where such bailout procedures have been practised successfully.
• The solo diver's maximum distance to point of exit (shore, boat) will never exceed a distance that can be easily and comfortably swum at the surface in full scuba gear – and the diver will maintain and exercise his/her navigational practices in solo dives to insure that this is the case.

The Wikipedia page the above quote comes from also claims SDI Solo Diver came about in '99, which is also perhaps when SDI came about.

If the Solo Divers forum were a sub-forum of Advanced Diving Discussions, perhaps there would be less TOS violation?

 

[DevonDiver]

The TOS refer to the 'main scuba agencies' - which SDI certainly would struggle to be counted as, so I wouldn't worry about TOS violations

That said, the emergence of mainstream solo courses at a recreational level does present a case that the activity is no longer deemed as a 'technical' activity.

I think (and surprisingly agree with Halemano) that Solo could move into the bailiwick of the Advanced forum. It'd look nice sitting next to 'nitrox' and 'recreational trimix' sub-forums.

Wow... how modern would we be then!

 

[Scott L]

It does not take too long to figure out why Halemano is a solo diver.

 

[krawlings]

I have been on many boat dives that had tech and rec divers and it seemed to me the tech divers were for the most part solo diving . they would jump it in randum groups and then go off on there own ,some would stay with a bubby and the rest go off independently. and come back to the boat at rendum times . so would this be a general asumsion or is this just a small sample of the overall out look of tech divers ?I would place it in the tech or advanced diving area . I am a rec diver ,I do 1 to 3 dives a month all year .( mostly 1 or 2 days a month)(106 total dives).I am thinking about taking the solo diving class

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

It does not take too long to figure out why Halemano is a solo diver.

Just so you don't have to assume too much, why not just ask me? The reason I am a solo diver is pretty much the same reason I also solo free climb, solo back country snowboard, solo river run, solo rough water swim, solo cliff dive and solo free dive. Even if I could find someone crazy enough and competent enough to join me, I have had to drag past "buddies" to the hospital too many times, and a number of my best friend's parents will hate me to their grave because "I" nearly killed their sons.

My bdb/camera caddy/infamous dive photo model started diving in Puget Sound, in '72, as Joe Liburdi's bdb/camera caddy/infamous dive photo model (beanniebrew). She will turn 60 years old soon, and with only PADI AOW ('72) she still makes shore dives that local dive pro's will not. Her hands no longer like paddling in choppy tradewind seas and hanging on to Apollo scooter handles for half of a 90 minute dive, so those kayak and scooter dives are now mostly solo.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

The TOS refer to the 'main scuba agencies' - which SDI certainly would struggle to be counted as, so I wouldn't worry about TOS violations

That said, the emergence of mainstream solo courses at a recreational level does present a case that the activity is no longer deemed as a 'technical' activity.

I think (and surprisingly agree with Halemano) that Solo could move into the bailiwick of the Advanced forum. It'd look nice sitting next to 'nitrox' and 'recreational trimix' sub-forums.

Wow... how modern would we be then!

I'm seeing something like a "Seriously" Advanced Recreational forum ... and I'd also nominate Kayak Diving among a couple others.

[c][/c]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/suggestions/400823-wreck-diving.html

Rename, or just re-define, Advanced Diving into 'Specialist Diving Activities'

Chuck them all in there at 3rd level.... cavern, wreck, side-mount, ice - aligned to 'main agency' recreational courses & limits


Leave the tech-specific (different alignment) ones in the relative tech areas. i.e. tech wreck, cave and deco