What is your gear configuration for solo dives less that 50’

[Eric Sedletzky]

For me, for tomorrows dive it will be a MK2/108 on a 22” hose and necklaced, no octo (for who?), SPG.
My plate with a wing.
Compass and my el cheapo mares computer.
Two cutting devices on my waist band and a Seahawk on my lower leg (in case I find rock scallops).
I’m weighting myself fairly light with only an 18 lb weightbelt (7mm wetsuit with hooded vest). I will end up light with an empty tank at 15’.
Steel 72’s because I’ll be goat trail hiking down to a new beach I want to try.
Jet fins because I can climb over rocks and not ruin them.
So not too much gear.
What is your personal gear:comfort level ratio?
And at what depths do these change?

 

[Bob DBF]

Close enough to mine, might have another cutting device depending. Over 100' I might drag along a pony, but I'm old, and may have a buddy.

 

[LFMarm]

Sidemounted 2xAL80s

 

[Robert H. Diver]

For me, for tomorrows dive it will be a MK2/108 on a 22” hose and necklaced, no octo (for who?), SPG.
My plate with a wing.
Compass and my el cheapo mares computer.
Two cutting devices on my waist band and a Seahawk on my lower leg (in case I find rock scallops).
I’m weighting myself fairly light with only an 18 lb weightbelt (7mm wetsuit with hooded vest). I will end up light with an empty tank at 15’.
Steel 72’s because I’ll be goat trail hiking down to a new beach I want to try.
Jet fins because I can climb over rocks and not ruin them.
So not too much gear.
What is your personal gear:comfort level ratio?
And at what depths do these change?

Alternate air source? Also why only have one second stage? What if it starts to free flow and you can’t stop it and switch to another regulator?

 

[Bob DBF]

Alternate air source? Also why only have one second stage? What if it starts to free flow and you can’t stop it and switch to another regulator?

It's only 50' and you have air.

 

[inquis]

What if it starts to free flow and you can’t stop it

Ascend and feather on the safety stop? An OW free-flow should be an irritation, not an emergency.

 

[Boarderguy]

Alternate air source? Also why only have one second stage? What if it starts to free flow and you can’t stop it and switch to another regulator?

Sip the free flow and surface...

My solo rig is the same as my buddy rig. Only change is the tank depending on planned depth. Anything within 50-60 ft I'll fly with an hp 100 and back mounted 13. 40 inch primary and air2 on the wing. Trilobite on waist and blunt 4inch BFK on inner left calf. If the site gives me a desire for deeper then I go with my hp 119 and back mounted 13. Dive the same rig for every rec dive imo. Muscle memory is best when the motions are all the same.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Alternate air source? Also why only have one second stage? What if it starts to free flow and you can’t stop it and switch to another regulator?

I had that exact scenario occur. I had just overhauled a USD Calypso IV with a 1085 2nd stage. On a solo beach dive at 40' the 2nd stage lever got hung up on the poppet stem (my bad) on inhale and would not pop back up. Air started free-flowing like crazy. I just swam up taking sips of air as needed. Ruined a beautiful dive but no danger or reason to panic.

 

[GF99/99]

Triton with 2 S40's. Like a dream to dive with

 

[jborg]

Same as for non-solo diving, really; small doubles (2*7L 300bar), long hose, a couple of cutting devices. I'm lazy and prefer to dive the same setup always unless there are specific reasons not to.