Changing dive op attitudes to "solo"

[uncfnp]

I think maybe the dive operators out of Jupiter and West Palm Florida are relativly solo friendly, certainly in what I think of as individual divers in a group setting. I know my go to boat out of West Palm, Narcosis, has a loose definition of buddy. Part of that may be the large number of local divers and hunters that they attract. And the Captain will drop you solo if he's comfortable with you. I know at least one incident though where a new to the boat diver, a treasure hunter in doubles, asked to be dropped singly. He was and the Captain ended up calling for assistance in searching for him (drift dives).

---------- Post added February 4th, 2015 at 10:15 PM ----------

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.

That's good to know since I have mostly gotten a no solo vibe from NC operators. I had a reservation on Olympus years ago but hurricane Irene decided to hit Morehead City that day. Another nameless storm ended my second attempt. Had a private DM planned that day knowing the "rule" plus being unfamiliar with NC dives, having done shore or drifts for 99 percent of my diving experience, I agreed it was a good idea. But hopeful now that I might be able to eventually get "blessed" for solo diving of our coast.

 

[drrich2]

I haven't dove with them, but in the Caribbean live-aboard market, Explorer Ventures website has a page on solo diving. Not available on the Maldives and Galapagos boats. Not only to they allow and teach the course, they will rent you the recommended gear for solo diving. Here's a blurb from their page:

Requirements - Certified Solo Divers

Divers wishing to dive solo, who have previously been certified to do so, are welcome to dive solo off of an Explorer vessel, with the except of the Galapagos. The follow requirements must be met:

• Solo divers must present proof of their certification.
• Solo divers must carry a pony bottle (not a Spare Air or similar device) or independent or isolated-manifold twin tanks, whistle, knife, compass, and signaling device deployable from safety stop depth (safety sausage or dive flag on a reel, for example).
• All solo divers must file a dive plan for each solo dive with the dive staff on board, and adhere strictly to that dive plan.

Costs - Caribbean/Bahamas vessels

Solo Diver Course - US$175, includes: loan of training materials, 3 dives with solo gear & TDI/SDI Registration - payable on board.

Equipment Rentals - US$20/day or US$50/week (includes all additional required equipment) - payable on board​

If I ever make it to do a Turks & Caicos live-aboard, I believe they just may be my boat.

Richard.

 

[Nemrod]

If you are in a place where the boats are "solo adverse", find a like-minded buddy.

I think that is one of my issues, a like minded buddy! If I could do that maybe I would not be solo. If we have to go in together and come out together that is not solo, that is bad buddy diving.

N

 

[uncfnp]

I think that is one of my issues, a like minded buddy! If I could do that maybe I would not be solo. If we have to go in together and come out together that is not solo, that is bad buddy diving.

N

Agreed. Any op that requires you to use that option is clearly not solo friendly in any sense of the term. However, group drops without designated buddies that then allow the individual to set their own course and do their own dive mostly works for me. I can drop on the wreck or best part of the reef then make my own way.

An exception is if the primary focus of the dive is hunting. Then less is definitely more.

 

[tomfcrist]

That's good to know since I have mostly gotten a no solo vibe from NC operators. I had a reservation on Olympus years ago but hurricane Irene decided to hit Morehead City that day. Another nameless storm ended my second attempt. Had a private DM planned that day knowing the "rule" plus being unfamiliar with NC dives, having done shore or drifts for 99 percent of my diving experience, I agreed it was a good idea. But hopeful now that I might be able to eventually get "blessed" for solo diving of our coast.

Small world....I dove with Olympus right after Irene came through...went out to Papoose and Schurz.

With Bobby, you really need to have a history with them to get away with solo. Being on good terms with Bud and Gavin is a good start. If diving on Midnight Express, I have rarely seen Solo questioned as long as you are properly equipped.

I completely agree with them advising a DM on your first NC offshore dive...as you may know by now, its feast or famine...a walk in the park or an expedition through hell. Realize that there are some smaller operators that would flat out tell you that you aren't diving with them unless you are already a seasoned wreck diver(unless you are under the guidance of an Instructor/DM that THEY trust). Its just too easy to get in trouble out here.

 

[doctormike]

... charter boats I have used in NJ do not allow solo...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

What???

The only time I find this to be true is if I book as an "open seat" with a dive shop that is enforcing buddy rules on the boat. That indeed does happen.

Please PM me with what boat that was, I'm honestly amazed.

Yeah, I was about to post the same thing. That sounds VERY Caribbean to me (a DM checking a diver's computer). Maybe it's because I usually dive on boats that I know, but even early on, I don't remember any NJ dive op asking anything about buddy teams, etc..

Of course, I believe you if you say that it happened, but that does not sound typical at all for New Jersey boats.

 

[Steve_C]

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.

On a NC boat I dive frequently, they ask if anybody needs a buddy and then see that anyone who asks is paired up with somebody. If there are newbies they keep an eye out to make sure they are with somebody.

 

[drbill]

Having dived solo much of my 52 years in the water, and my 45 years here on Catalina Island, I have had no problem with any of our local dive ops allowing me to dive solo. When I'm on board a mainland-based dive boat or traveling to places where I am unfamiliar with the sites, I have no problem buddying up although many ops have allowed me to solo after they observe a few dives.

Over the last two years I've gotten into a very bad habit of not carrying my pony bottle. I really need to re-adopt that discipline since my dives sometimes exceed 100 fsw. I'm comfortable without one at maximum depths of 50-60 fsw (but shouldn't be) since I've done emergency ascents from 80-90 ft.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Drbill, what were the circumstances requiring you to do those emergency ascents, if I may be so bold as to enquire? TIA

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

It depends a lot on where you dive. Ironically, some of the most challenging places I've dived ... like Browning Passage BC and Channel Islands ... have never had an issue with people solo diving. By contrast, some of the easier places I've dived ... mostly tropical locations ... have strict anti-solo policies. I suspect it has more to do with client demographics than anything else ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)