Bad attitudes about solo diving are still prevalent

[lermontov]

Or you could use a neoprene mask strap rather than a silicone one and not have to deal with a lost mask. I prefer to solve issues before I get in the water rather than solve skill issues by carrying around extra gear.

I feel so inadequate not being able to swim around for 45 minutes to complete my dive with my hand cupped on my brow

 

[lowviz]

I just got tired of playing 'find the underwater squirrel'.

I like you, let's chat over a beer, need anything? Just ask.

Please leave me alone underwater. I don't multitask well at all. -and your lawyer will probably favor you over some odd terebellid worm that I just noticed...

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I feel so inadequate not being able to swim around for 45 minutes to complete my dive with my hand cupped on my brow

Another good reason to not use silicone mask straps.

 

[Kharon]

Another good reason to not use silicone mask straps.

If your silicone mask strap is in perfect condition what is the problem???

 

[MaxBottomtime]

They still break easily compared to neoprene. I try to prevent problems before I get in the water rather than carry around extra gear "just in case".

 

[Bob DBF]

I have enough personal data to know that I am always diving solo no matter how many divers are in the water, or how many buddies I have, or how much experience they have or what we discussed during the dive plan.

If you splash with a buddy you are a not a solo diver, or in the event of your buddy having an emergency are you are swimming away alone as it has nothing to do with solo diving? Although one team member is less skilled than another may put more responsibility on the other, it does not make him a solo diver. Some solo skills may come in handy, hence the PADI self-reliant diver specialty, but there is still another diver involved.

Sorry but this is one of my pet peeves when discussing solo diving. Solo diving is done alone. Buddy diving is with another, even if your buddy is a danger to himself and others, you ar not diving alone, you may be in a worse position than diving solo.



Bob

 

[Kharon]

They still break easily compared to neoprene. I try to prevent problems before I get in the water rather than carry around extra gear "just in case".

Never had that happen and I dove/snorkeled one mask for 20+ years. Do you leave them sitting out in the sun or some other condition that causes ageing and premature failure?

 

[Kharon]

If you splash with a buddy you are a not a solo diver, or in the event of your buddy having an emergency are you are swimming away alone as it has nothing to do with solo diving? Although one team member is less skilled than another may put more responsibility on the other, it does not make him a solo diver. Some solo skills may come in handy, hence the PADI self-reliant diver specialty, but there is still another diver involved.

Sorry but this is one of my pet peeves when discussing solo diving. Solo diving is done alone. Buddy diving is with another, even if your buddy is a danger to himself and others, you ar not diving alone, you may be in a worse position than diving solo.



Bob

Sorry I was not clear. I no longer dive with a "buddy", I dive solo, no "team" involved. If there are other people on the dive, i.e. in the water, pre splash I carefully explain how to grab the octo on my right shoulder on a QR and I show them how I will unclip and pass them the pony which is always pressurized. My primary 2nd stage hose isn't long enough and is neclaced to my neck for my comfort and convienence. No way they can use that

I will not be watching them, nor will I be babysitting. If they need help I will do what I can, but I'm not ruining my dive to keep track of them and their air. And no, I do not expect anyone to want to dive with me. I have too little time left alive and can spent way too little time underwater to be anything but selfish. Sorry. Just not a social person. Solitude is my nirvana.

If there are other people in the water I can aid them but under no circumstances do I consider them a "buddy" who I can depend on. See this:

 

[Fastmarc]

Another good reason to not use silicone mask straps.

Am I the only one that has never heard of neoprene mask traps?

 

[Bob DBF]

I have too little time left alive and can spent way too little time underwater to be anything but selfish. Sorry. Just not a social person. Solitude is my nirvana.

I've reached the curmudgeon diver age myself, and find myself even less inclined to dive with others, although some say that is not possible.

As for the Powell video, I watched it a while back, however where I have dived over the years solo diving was never in the closet. Although someone might comment, they never made it a big deal. The instructor/dive shop party line has always been the same, as they teach buddy diving, but are rather tolerant outside their lair. After the training was officially over for the day I geared up to solo and as I was headed out one of the newer divers voiced his concerns to the instructor. The reply was that the training was over and when the new diver had my training and experience, he wouldn't say anything about his solo diving either.

Now it could be that no one wants to try to tell someone their grandfathers age, that has been diving before they, or perhaps their father, were born what to do. And there is always "Go away kid, ya bother me."



Bob