RockiesFan
Banned
100 dives is an arbitrary number. Being exposed to a variety of conditions is more important.
First solo dives!
- Thread starter Aloha Joe
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Nick Steele
Contributor
So do you really believe someone can’t be ready to solo dive before 100 dives?
I’m with others in here in that the number is just made up and most likely more important for insurance purposes.
I believe that it totally depends on the person, how they learn, and what they intent to do. How many times have we seen dms with 100s of dives do something stupid? I will do solo one day but just to learn as I never plan to purpisely dive solo and I will have well over 100 dives I’m sure.
I think this has been a great thread so far. One of the bigger takeaways or observations for me so far (regardless of which side of the fence you fall), has been to observe and acknowledge that tension which exists for many new and adventurous divers between-- safety "as far as they know it", exuberant enthusiasm for wanting to do something that brings great joy and wanting to do it as often as possible, but don't always have someone available to share it with and the conflict around the training and real world experience they have received to date.
I have been following the posts from @Aloha Joe since his first days posting on SB when he still lived back here in So Cal and was getting certified and have been observing his progression through his posts. I am grateful that he is here and posting and sharing and growing and learning.
I have been following the posts from @Aloha Joe since his first days posting on SB when he still lived back here in So Cal and was getting certified and have been observing his progression through his posts. I am grateful that he is here and posting and sharing and growing and learning.
oldschoolto
Contributor
Solo diving is not a joke and needs to be well planned and only for the few that really can handle high stressed events like it going to the bathroom..
I glad it was moved back to basics..
Be safe and have fun... In that order..
Jim..
I glad it was moved back to basics..
Be safe and have fun... In that order..
Jim..
OP
Aloha Joe
Contributor
I most likely will get the book, carry an extra mask, and practice the skills while I’m acquiring my 98 buddy-assisted dives (I logged the 2 solo dives). Thank you for the suggestions.
Bob DBF
Contributor
I should have had formal in front of training, fixed it, to mean that the rules and agency training are new to solo. And, as a matter of fact, formal training for recreational SCUBA deco procedures are relatively new. Back in the late '60's and '70's when I was doing those dives it was the navy tables and procedures with a mentor.
Since this is back to New Divers rather than solo, I'll move on.
Bob
- Messages
- 7,660
- Reaction score
- 4,717
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
I'll stay on the fence.
Every time I started formally learning a new field certain questions were politely answered with 'that is beyond the scope of this course'. The intention of that polite dismissal is for one to get the basic foundation down first and then add detail. I see solo diving as detracting from building a basic foundation. How would an OW/AOW instructor address tolerance of solo diving? ALWAYS have a buddy UNLESS you are solo diving?
Solo diving does not attract everyone. Those who are wired that way can do well to wait a bit until their foundation can support the deviations that solo diving requires. To quote an old sea captain/mentor "Always stay within your range". I'm not sure that all OW students know what their range is...
Bob DBF
Contributor
Of course not. There is a bell curve for everything. Just like some kids can drive safely and handle their liquor at 14. But we do set limits and standards, because assuming that you don’t object to the basic premise of a certifying agency, they can’t really say that the requirement for any particular C-card is that you are an awesome natural diver...
Also, what’s with the insurance thing? An agency is protected from a judgement against them if their standards are at a certain level?
This is only my opinion, so take it however you wish.
At <25 dives, the average diver probably isn't 100% comfortable yet with their buoyancy, they are likely still working on making a tank last longer and they don't have a good feel for how they will react when things go wrong. Is it because they are bad divers? No, it's because they likely have not had things go terribly wrong yet. Until you have experienced some issues, you really don't know how you will react. Will you panic and die? Will you react calmly and do just the right thing and live to dive another day?
When you're over 100 dives, you might have a feel for how you will react to problems. You might have even experienced some problems yourself. Your buoyancy will probably be better dialed in, you're more comfortable with your gear, you have a better feel for how long your tank will last under various conditions and depths. Most important is that since you're more comfortable underwater, you can focus more on your awareness for possible problems and how to avoid them. You also have a better understanding of why you should do certain things, so you understand why it's important to do things like carrying a spare mask, extra cutting devices and an alternate air source. You're also probably more comfortable in using them.
I intend no disrespect towards new divers, we've all been there. The statement "You don't know what you don't know" is very appropriate here. Unlike divers in years gone by, you've had formal training that included a reliance on the buddy system. Your buddy is your alternate air source. Your buddy can cut you loose if you're entangled. Your buddy can be your eyes if you lose your mask.
Solo/self reliant courses teach you not to do "pinnacle dives" solo...meaning deeper than you've ever gone, or into overhead or deco situations, or conditions you're not used to. When you're a new diver, this is even more important. You're still building experience and learning how things work. Removing a buddy from the equation can be stressful.
Personally I love solo diving. Some of my most memorable dives have been 2+ hour solo rebreather dives, I love the feeling of being on my own and just enjoying the ride. I've done a few dives solo that I had never done with a buddy, one or two were a bit dicey, but having the experiences I've had I know how I'll handle problems as they arise and I am comfortable with the various methods of self-rescue. I know my limits and am well aware of the limitations of the equipment and my bailout gas.
I'm not bashing anyone or trying to say "Thou shalt not solo dive!" in any way. Some people prefer to dive solo to diving with a stranger, or just prefer solo diving as a general practice. I am saying be safe about it, understand what you should be doing to ensure your safety, and educate yourself in the practice of solo diving and self-rescue.
Oh....and have fun!!
At <25 dives, the average diver probably isn't 100% comfortable yet with their buoyancy, they are likely still working on making a tank last longer and they don't have a good feel for how they will react when things go wrong. Is it because they are bad divers? No, it's because they likely have not had things go terribly wrong yet. Until you have experienced some issues, you really don't know how you will react. Will you panic and die? Will you react calmly and do just the right thing and live to dive another day?
When you're over 100 dives, you might have a feel for how you will react to problems. You might have even experienced some problems yourself. Your buoyancy will probably be better dialed in, you're more comfortable with your gear, you have a better feel for how long your tank will last under various conditions and depths. Most important is that since you're more comfortable underwater, you can focus more on your awareness for possible problems and how to avoid them. You also have a better understanding of why you should do certain things, so you understand why it's important to do things like carrying a spare mask, extra cutting devices and an alternate air source. You're also probably more comfortable in using them.
I intend no disrespect towards new divers, we've all been there. The statement "You don't know what you don't know" is very appropriate here. Unlike divers in years gone by, you've had formal training that included a reliance on the buddy system. Your buddy is your alternate air source. Your buddy can cut you loose if you're entangled. Your buddy can be your eyes if you lose your mask.
Solo/self reliant courses teach you not to do "pinnacle dives" solo...meaning deeper than you've ever gone, or into overhead or deco situations, or conditions you're not used to. When you're a new diver, this is even more important. You're still building experience and learning how things work. Removing a buddy from the equation can be stressful.
Personally I love solo diving. Some of my most memorable dives have been 2+ hour solo rebreather dives, I love the feeling of being on my own and just enjoying the ride. I've done a few dives solo that I had never done with a buddy, one or two were a bit dicey, but having the experiences I've had I know how I'll handle problems as they arise and I am comfortable with the various methods of self-rescue. I know my limits and am well aware of the limitations of the equipment and my bailout gas.
I'm not bashing anyone or trying to say "Thou shalt not solo dive!" in any way. Some people prefer to dive solo to diving with a stranger, or just prefer solo diving as a general practice. I am saying be safe about it, understand what you should be doing to ensure your safety, and educate yourself in the practice of solo diving and self-rescue.
Oh....and have fun!!
Similar threads
