I recently learned that a couple PADI instructors that I know have just about completed the process of qualifying with SDI in order to teach their Solo diving course. I was somewhat disappointed to hear this. I have a more moderate view on solo diving than some but I dont think it should be encouraged. I have read the standards for the course (as posted on the SDI site) and was not very impressed. The course requires two dives using a redundant air supply (anything up to and including manifolded doubles). The two instructors I am referring to have never dived with doubles so it would be fun to watch them help a student slap them together and learn to dive them. I would also like to hear their advice to a student who had trouble manipulating their valves. There are several local dive sites that rent ponies to certified solo divers and permit solo diving. To put my view in perspective; The IANTD advanced nitrox/Deep Diver combination that I teach includes confined water work (too many skills to list here) a min of six OW dives with valve shutdowns on every dive. The point is the course teaches redundant equipment and is many many times more comprehensive, yet, we do not suggest to our students that they solo dive. Am I in the minority in thinking that this is absurd?
Another interesting thing I might have the chronology wrong but it seems that first I started seeing articles in Rodales about solo diving then I learned SDI was coming out with the cert. I first read about the course in Rodales. Kind of reminded me of a musician who goes on the road to promote an upcoming album.
I already have too many rescues under my belt. Last year I pulled a guy out who was diving alone with his reg on backwards, his hoses all tangled and his tank falling off. I suggested that he not reenter the water, as the dive site does not permit solo diving. He then told me that the buddy system was on its way out. I said not for people who cant assemble their own equipment. These are the kind of divers I envision taking the course. For that matter, these are the kind of divers I envision teaching the course.
With all the supervision and canned dives, diving has become too safe and people are getting cocky (stupid). If the industry looses the good sense to self-regulate there are those who would do it for them.
PS - I will charge extra for rescuing graduates of a solo diving course.
I am interested in other thoughts on this subject. What do you think about a solo certification?
Another interesting thing I might have the chronology wrong but it seems that first I started seeing articles in Rodales about solo diving then I learned SDI was coming out with the cert. I first read about the course in Rodales. Kind of reminded me of a musician who goes on the road to promote an upcoming album.
I already have too many rescues under my belt. Last year I pulled a guy out who was diving alone with his reg on backwards, his hoses all tangled and his tank falling off. I suggested that he not reenter the water, as the dive site does not permit solo diving. He then told me that the buddy system was on its way out. I said not for people who cant assemble their own equipment. These are the kind of divers I envision taking the course. For that matter, these are the kind of divers I envision teaching the course.
With all the supervision and canned dives, diving has become too safe and people are getting cocky (stupid). If the industry looses the good sense to self-regulate there are those who would do it for them.
PS - I will charge extra for rescuing graduates of a solo diving course.
I am interested in other thoughts on this subject. What do you think about a solo certification?
