I just read through this entire thread and I do have to agree with an OW instructor essentially diving solo. Especially on OWD1. Now, does that mean they can and should dive solo? No way! Yes, students are close so you can grab their AAS in case of shark attack but to think a student on the first ocean dive could help in any way is naïve.
I find it funny that some have commented that the first time students learn SAC rate calculation and dive planning is in technical diving. As a RAID instructor, my students have to learn to calculate SAC and RMV for every dive. They then use these numbers to plan subsequent dives. It is part of the standards. Remember, generalizations can be dangerous.
As far as solo diving goes, I do it often here. Never did it anyplace else I have lived or worked but I do it here when looking for new sites or out exploring for macro critters and octopus. I am not a certified solo diver or self-reliant diver. RAID does not have a course for that. I am however an OC Deco 50 with trimix instructor, a sidemount instructor and if I am not teaching or on my CCR, I only dive sidemount. The only thing I can't solve underwater myself while in my SM config would be a medical event. But if I am teaching OW and have a medical event, can I rely on my students to know what to do or to even try and get me to the surface? Or do they go to the surface and leave me there?
That last line or two was just me thinking out loud.
I find it funny that some have commented that the first time students learn SAC rate calculation and dive planning is in technical diving. As a RAID instructor, my students have to learn to calculate SAC and RMV for every dive. They then use these numbers to plan subsequent dives. It is part of the standards. Remember, generalizations can be dangerous.
As far as solo diving goes, I do it often here. Never did it anyplace else I have lived or worked but I do it here when looking for new sites or out exploring for macro critters and octopus. I am not a certified solo diver or self-reliant diver. RAID does not have a course for that. I am however an OC Deco 50 with trimix instructor, a sidemount instructor and if I am not teaching or on my CCR, I only dive sidemount. The only thing I can't solve underwater myself while in my SM config would be a medical event. But if I am teaching OW and have a medical event, can I rely on my students to know what to do or to even try and get me to the surface? Or do they go to the surface and leave me there?
That last line or two was just me thinking out loud.