I've been solo diving since 1961 (only one set of equipment back then to share) and didn't even use a BCD until 1989 (and since that one failed due to autoinflation, I disconnected it and didn't really use it on those dives with a Cousteau team). I can understand why redundant buoyancy might be favored, but for most diving I don't see it as a requirement. Of course I'm not an agency setting standards for certification.
I had a single bladder BCD develop a leak on a 180 ft dive off Ship Rock a few years ago. I could swim myself up even from that depth (although to be fair, the leak was not entirely catastrophic... but the BCD was not retaining air long).
I think of the many dives we did in the 60s, 70s and 80s without a BCD but with proper weighting. Perhaps proper weighting should be a more significant component of such a course as well. Also the topic of separating total weight into easily ditchable (weight pockets) and "semi-ditchable" (weight belt). Seems these are things a good solo diver should be very aware of.
In my mind one of the most important things a solo diver needs to know has little to do with the equipment. I'm referring to knowledge of how they respond under emergency situations. I've seen divers with plenty of great gear and redundancy who panic when something happens, and others with just the basic gear configuration remain cool and extricate themselves from situations others might die from.
I had a single bladder BCD develop a leak on a 180 ft dive off Ship Rock a few years ago. I could swim myself up even from that depth (although to be fair, the leak was not entirely catastrophic... but the BCD was not retaining air long).
I think of the many dives we did in the 60s, 70s and 80s without a BCD but with proper weighting. Perhaps proper weighting should be a more significant component of such a course as well. Also the topic of separating total weight into easily ditchable (weight pockets) and "semi-ditchable" (weight belt). Seems these are things a good solo diver should be very aware of.
In my mind one of the most important things a solo diver needs to know has little to do with the equipment. I'm referring to knowledge of how they respond under emergency situations. I've seen divers with plenty of great gear and redundancy who panic when something happens, and others with just the basic gear configuration remain cool and extricate themselves from situations others might die from.
