Changing dive op attitudes to "solo"

[uncfnp]

Recent events in the solo forum have shown that perhaps solo diving is no longer in the closet and has become more acceptable to the general dive population. Just wondering if fellow solo divers have noticed a change in the attitude/acceptance of solo divers with dive operators in general. Our favorite dive boat out of WPB has gone from an informal allowance (heavy hunter clientele) to actually announcing during the dive briefing for the non hunting group that "if you find yourself separated from the dive guide and you feel comfortable" to continue the dive. Not exactly a blessing to solo but interesting none the less.

Anyone else willing to share their experiences?

 

[tomfcrist]

I don't think I have seen much of a change. You are aware of the big charters in NC. Most of them wont let you dive solo without the blessing of the Captain, regardless of your "Solo" card. If you are self sufficient enough to gain the trust of the Captain, you can generally dive solo even without a "Card".....its been that way forever...and I personally haven't seen it change up here.

 

[Akimbo]

I don’t think I have ever heard solo come up on West coast dive boat briefings unless someone asks. That’s when the captain considers if the diver is a newbie or just from out of state.

Hawaii and the Caribbean is another matter entirely. I started a thread years ago trying to list Solo friendly charters, maybe we should update it here if it isn’t a thread hijack.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

I mostly shore dive - the charter boats I have used in NJ do not allow solo. I have solo'd on my own boat with my wife on the boat who has her boating license.

The only time I can remember being allowed was in Aruba back in the late 80's - a diver ran out of air and chose me to buddy breath (not my buddy) - I brought her over to the DM who had an octo and they proceeded to go up the line. I chose to finish my dive solo and not a word was said about it - 80 feet to the bottom. I guess the DM figured I would follow or knew what I was doing... I dont remember what happened to my buddy but he did not seem to mind.

 

[C Dub]

Here in SoCal it is never mentioned, never monitored, and people solo dive on every boat trip I've been on.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Here in SoCal it is never mentioned, never monitored, and people solo dive on every boat trip I've been on.

Go in as pairs and split up? Or go in as singles? Don't Ask Don't Tell?

 

[Keith.M]

It is not their concern.

 

[C Dub]

Go in as pairs and split up? Or go in as singles? Don't Ask Don't Tell?

All of the above. People just hop in as they please once the gate is open. DM's only check that your air is on and that you signal ok after you splash.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

All of the above. People just hop in as they please once the gate is open. DM's only check that your air is on and that you signal ok after you splash.

Very funny - I have been accosted after an 80 foot dive by a DM in NJ - checking my PDC to make sure I did not go into Deco or into violation... He did not know how to operate it so he left me alone finally - I was clearly taken back - I was with my son on his first charter ride - man was that a hoot... What kind of knucklehead would take his JR OW for a deco dive on his first boat trip? Needless to say I have not gone back.

 

[tye1138]

I started diving in New England 15 years ago and there were solo divers everywhere. My favorite was a bloke who dove in 50's gear, double hose reg, J valve, black plate with no buoyancy control device. It's funny, I wound up solo diving in an identical rig only a year later. Anyway, I don't think anything has changed. SCUBA diving from its infancy was a solo diving sport. It wasn't until guidelines were developed that training migrated towards "buddy diving". Solo diving has great advantages and it can be a lot less dangerous because you're not having to keep track of someone else during the dive. People tend to freak out when their "buddy" goes missing and that leads to accidents in of itself. I'd rather teach people how to be good solo divers, reliant on their own skills and abilities, rather then reliant on someone else.