No need to request that I lighten up, I don't mean to sound anything but. I am not a member of the scuba police and I am genuinely interested in the perspective of others. I didn't think I was being that heavy handed, however I guess I just thought it was more than even mildly ironic that you are using a paper by the founder of GUE to emphasize the importance of the mental aspect of diving and stretching that to cover the mental aspect of solo diving.....
I don't think this is "some kind of blasphemy of DIR" as we both know that none of the various components that go into making up "DIR" belong to any agency or any one person. Pick and choose how you like. But gear alone does not make a diver any more DIR than the next. I would argue that the most fundamental difference does go to mindset and this takes us back to the beginning of your other post. Adding some white paint to a crow does not change it into a magpie.
I do have some questions though about how your gear configuration 'differs very little" from the gear you use solo diving. I am legitimately curious here. Why would you use a 7' hose solo diving? Also, does a manifolded set of doubles and a bungied necklace satisfy your requirements for a redundant gas supply or do you carry a pony bottle or something like that? What about the various gear a DIR team will distribute amongst themselves for redundancy, such as reels, back up masks, SMB's etc. Do you carry all of this equipment yourself? Again, I am genuinely curious. How do you feel about the argument that the most important source of redundancy a team carries is the extra brains. What is the solo divers response here? Do you simply accept the extra risk involved and thats that? I don't know many solo divers so I am really quite interested in the different way of approaching diving that a solo diver has from myself. Just curious here and not attacking anybody or anything.
I see no need to change configurations for solo. I dive a long hose and bungee because it is what I am used to and am most comfortable with. When solo I do indeed dive manifolded doubles and usually carry a stage as well. Either a 30 or a 40 cu ft bottle. I will practice deployment of it as well as valve drills. Every dive for me, even those for pleasure, I consider a skills dive. I find it relaxing and even calming to work on buoyancy, trim and propulsion. I will shoot a bag at the end of a dive just to do it.
As goes redundant gear I carry at least two of everything I may need and do not take anything I do not feel will aid me or be of use in the dive. That means 2 cutting tools, two backup lights in addition to the primary. I love to solo at night when I get the chance. 2 reels clipped primary or safety and a jump reel and a safety spool in my pocket. Everything is in the same place every dive. I am certed to 150 feet and am comfortable to 160 for now.
I mention this because I will do most any dive solo that I'd do with a buddy. I am that confident in my equipment and my skills and training. I have been alone at 120 feet in 39 degree water on a wreck in Lake Erie. I respect the environment I'm in and do everything I can to prepare for it. Our usual lake we use for training has a max depth of 130 feet and I often do deep dives and incur deco if I am in a really good place. I feel at peace when it's dark and I know it's highly unlikely I will encounter another diver in the spots I like to go.
Mentally I have assessed the risks, looked at the consequences of what could happen should things go wrong, and weighed that against the benefits I derive from diving alone. As a result I take every opportunity to get away from having to worry about another person, to dive the plan as I choose, to stop when and where I want to. Most of all I can focus on things that may be going on topside, think them through, and get many resolutions with out the distractions of the surface.
It's here also that skills practice takes on a whole new seriousness and concentration because no one is going to help me but me. I find I think things through with more attention to detail and it shows when teaching. Those little things that used nag at the back of my mind as far as "is this skill I am showing them as clear as it can be?". After doing it solo at 100+ feet over and over the answer is yes. It's is being demo'd as clear as I can make it.
You note that you don;t know may solo divers. I'd be willing to bet that you actually know more than you think. Many don;t talk about it because of the stigma that is attached to it. That stigma comes from, in my opinion, the dumbing down of training and the lack of self reliance that is pushed on new divers. I make it clear to my OW studints that they are responsible for their safety. Not a DM, not their buddy, they are. As such task loading is a big part of my classes. I stress the importance of thinking problems through and solving them on their own with assistance from their buddy as a last resort. Air sharing and low on air problems are different but still require the diver to not panic, but assess the problem and take appropriate action. I have OW students do air share ascents, no mask swims, remove gear and do a no mask swim and then retrieve their gear. All of this is to foster a sense of independence. Divers who rely on others to the point that they cannot get out of a problem themselves are people I do not want to dive with.
MY solo diving is for me. It is selfish and all about my needs and wants. By doing this I release alot of stress and feel freedom. Same way as when I ride my motorcycle. I wear a helmet when it's too cold for my black baseball hat with the shark on it. I know the risks. As such my riding skills need to be just that much better to avoid accidents. I am more aware, much more cautious, and always work on risk avoiding practices. I hope I;ve given you some insight into my solo mindset. I think some of the things I have in common with others. But again this is a personal thing and everyone is different. And maybe it's that difference that makes things interesting.
