I was just browsing the PADI website and they have a postion paper on solo diving. PADi is not against it really. I dont know why people always say PADi is anti solo diving.
Why does it seem some are so against soloing?
- Thread starter Jim Lapenta
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Here is the complete statement:
Solo Diving: PADI Worldwide's Position
By:
Drew Richardson Senior Vice-President, Training, Education, Environment and Memberships, PADI Worldwide


Why PADI advocates the use of the buddy system
The buddy system in use today for scuba diving came from a decades old water safety concept found in swimming and lifeguard training. It was adopted because it applied to diving and because it made good safety sense. Early support of buddy diving safety procedures was referenced by Jacques Cousteau and the crew of the Calypso in the book "The Silent World". The goals of training divers include developing the skills to take responsibility for themselves and to be self-reliant. The buddy system provides divers in training with a safety redundancy to this skill base that diving alone simply cannot provide. PADI has, and will continue to, train divers using the buddy system based on its proven benefit to diving, divers and diving safety.
Practicality & Convenience
The buddy system has provided tangible contributions to millions of dives. Buddies provide an extra set of eyes and hands for each other. Providing assistance in putting on equipment, adjusting straps, assisting with weights and tanks, entering the water, helping to load and unload gear are but a few practical arguments that support the buddy system.
Safety:
The roots of the buddy system arise from diving and water safety. Early days of diver training heralded the buddy system as an important safety procedure because only through the buddy system could a diver reasonably expect to escape from entanglement, entrapment, out of air situations, disorientation, a head injury, chest pains, cramping and dozens more. Diver training and diving equipment have improved, yet these same values apply today. Like all safety-based systems, the buddy system is not perfect. However, the simple fact is that without a buddy in the water, the distressed diver has little or no chance of assistance.
The buddy system is the most basic form of scuba diving fail-safe. Buddies have helped each other in subtle and profound ways for decades. Often the smallest buddy intervention averts a string of error chains occurred and negative outcomes or tragedy. The safety record of scuba diving has improved dramatically over the past few decades, while the number of certified divers has increased. During this time, buddy system training techniques have been an integral component of this training. While there is no way to quantify the accidents that were prevented or did not happen because of one buddy looking after another, empirical outcomes support the relevancy and integrity of this training.
Enjoyment:
Diving is a social activity, so the buddy system is more than a safety rule. Diving with someone you know and are comfortable with adds to the fun. Most divers actually enjoy companionship in and out of the water. It is fun to share exciting adventures and experiences with others. Fundamentally, the buddy system is about dive companionship, something that won't appeal to misanthropic personality types.
Can Solo Diving be done responsibly?
Yes, but let's be clear about what responsible solo diving is and what it is not. It requires experienced scuba divers willing to make the necessary commitment to train and equip themselves to accept the added risks involved. That is to say, a person with the required attitude and aptitude to pursue responsible solo diving. This is true in other adventure sport activities such as solo rock climbing.
It is important to clarify what responsible solo scuba diving is. PADI views it as a form of technical diving and not for everybody. To responsibly engage in solo scuba diving, a diver must first be highly experienced, have a hundred or so buddy accompanied scuba dives, be absolutely self-reliant and apply the specialized procedures and equipment needed to engage in the activity. This includes, but is not limited to redundant air sources, specialized equipment configurations, specific dive planning, and management of solo diving problems and emergencies. When solo diving is performed within this description, we see a place for it. Responsible solo diving is not diving alone without the mental discipline, attitude or equipment. That said, no amount of redundant equipment can effectively back up a diver's brain better than another individual.
What concerns does PADI have with regard to solo diving
When a problem occurs on a solo dive, or when the diver is alone in the water, there is little or no chance of assistance for the distressed diver. This decreases the chances of a diver surviving the problem or having a favorable outcome. Diving alone reduces the chance of survival regardless of the problem. Since 1989, there were at least 538 fatalities where it was clear divers were either intentionally diving solo, or became separated from a buddy and were de facto alone.
PADI is concerned by certain proponents of solo diving within the dive industry, including a major diving publication, who attempt to promote solo diving by bashing both PADI and the buddy system with headlines touting " Why the Buddy System is dangerous". This is both irresponsible and reckless. To suggest that the buddy system fosters a false sense of security and increases the likelihood of panic is outrageous and contrary to the empirical evidence. To claim that divers shouldn't use the buddy system for fear of being sued by a diving companion is ridiculous. The unfortunate reality in the litigious U.S. is that folks have sued one another for nearly anything. It is no surprise that there have been a handful of cases where one buddy has brought suit against another. Outside of the U.S., this argument doesn't hold up and smacks of the fear mongering to sell magazines. Besides, how long will it be before a solo death results in a suit against a magazine or other forum endorsing solo diving, a practice that is contrary to community practice. There is nothing to prevent such lawsuits from arising.
PADI's position is clear; solo diving proponents should advocate responsible solo diving on its own unique merits, requisite training, and equipment needs and not through sensationalized attempts to disparage a proven safety system, that has served the majority of recreational scuba divers well.
Send all comments and suggestions to webmaster@padi.com
©2006 International PADI, Inc.
Solo Diving: PADI Worldwide's Position
By:
Drew Richardson Senior Vice-President, Training, Education, Environment and Memberships, PADI Worldwide


Why PADI advocates the use of the buddy system
The buddy system in use today for scuba diving came from a decades old water safety concept found in swimming and lifeguard training. It was adopted because it applied to diving and because it made good safety sense. Early support of buddy diving safety procedures was referenced by Jacques Cousteau and the crew of the Calypso in the book "The Silent World". The goals of training divers include developing the skills to take responsibility for themselves and to be self-reliant. The buddy system provides divers in training with a safety redundancy to this skill base that diving alone simply cannot provide. PADI has, and will continue to, train divers using the buddy system based on its proven benefit to diving, divers and diving safety.
Practicality & Convenience
The buddy system has provided tangible contributions to millions of dives. Buddies provide an extra set of eyes and hands for each other. Providing assistance in putting on equipment, adjusting straps, assisting with weights and tanks, entering the water, helping to load and unload gear are but a few practical arguments that support the buddy system.
Safety:
The roots of the buddy system arise from diving and water safety. Early days of diver training heralded the buddy system as an important safety procedure because only through the buddy system could a diver reasonably expect to escape from entanglement, entrapment, out of air situations, disorientation, a head injury, chest pains, cramping and dozens more. Diver training and diving equipment have improved, yet these same values apply today. Like all safety-based systems, the buddy system is not perfect. However, the simple fact is that without a buddy in the water, the distressed diver has little or no chance of assistance.
The buddy system is the most basic form of scuba diving fail-safe. Buddies have helped each other in subtle and profound ways for decades. Often the smallest buddy intervention averts a string of error chains occurred and negative outcomes or tragedy. The safety record of scuba diving has improved dramatically over the past few decades, while the number of certified divers has increased. During this time, buddy system training techniques have been an integral component of this training. While there is no way to quantify the accidents that were prevented or did not happen because of one buddy looking after another, empirical outcomes support the relevancy and integrity of this training.
Enjoyment:
Diving is a social activity, so the buddy system is more than a safety rule. Diving with someone you know and are comfortable with adds to the fun. Most divers actually enjoy companionship in and out of the water. It is fun to share exciting adventures and experiences with others. Fundamentally, the buddy system is about dive companionship, something that won't appeal to misanthropic personality types.
Can Solo Diving be done responsibly?
Yes, but let's be clear about what responsible solo diving is and what it is not. It requires experienced scuba divers willing to make the necessary commitment to train and equip themselves to accept the added risks involved. That is to say, a person with the required attitude and aptitude to pursue responsible solo diving. This is true in other adventure sport activities such as solo rock climbing.
It is important to clarify what responsible solo scuba diving is. PADI views it as a form of technical diving and not for everybody. To responsibly engage in solo scuba diving, a diver must first be highly experienced, have a hundred or so buddy accompanied scuba dives, be absolutely self-reliant and apply the specialized procedures and equipment needed to engage in the activity. This includes, but is not limited to redundant air sources, specialized equipment configurations, specific dive planning, and management of solo diving problems and emergencies. When solo diving is performed within this description, we see a place for it. Responsible solo diving is not diving alone without the mental discipline, attitude or equipment. That said, no amount of redundant equipment can effectively back up a diver's brain better than another individual.
What concerns does PADI have with regard to solo diving
When a problem occurs on a solo dive, or when the diver is alone in the water, there is little or no chance of assistance for the distressed diver. This decreases the chances of a diver surviving the problem or having a favorable outcome. Diving alone reduces the chance of survival regardless of the problem. Since 1989, there were at least 538 fatalities where it was clear divers were either intentionally diving solo, or became separated from a buddy and were de facto alone.
PADI is concerned by certain proponents of solo diving within the dive industry, including a major diving publication, who attempt to promote solo diving by bashing both PADI and the buddy system with headlines touting " Why the Buddy System is dangerous". This is both irresponsible and reckless. To suggest that the buddy system fosters a false sense of security and increases the likelihood of panic is outrageous and contrary to the empirical evidence. To claim that divers shouldn't use the buddy system for fear of being sued by a diving companion is ridiculous. The unfortunate reality in the litigious U.S. is that folks have sued one another for nearly anything. It is no surprise that there have been a handful of cases where one buddy has brought suit against another. Outside of the U.S., this argument doesn't hold up and smacks of the fear mongering to sell magazines. Besides, how long will it be before a solo death results in a suit against a magazine or other forum endorsing solo diving, a practice that is contrary to community practice. There is nothing to prevent such lawsuits from arising.
PADI's position is clear; solo diving proponents should advocate responsible solo diving on its own unique merits, requisite training, and equipment needs and not through sensationalized attempts to disparage a proven safety system, that has served the majority of recreational scuba divers well.
Send all comments and suggestions to webmaster@padi.com
©2006 International PADI, Inc.
JimLap:
He's right, PADI doesn't teach solo diving. I believe TDI is the only agency that has an 'official' solo diver course. But as has already been pointed out here, PADI isn't outright against it either. They recognize it happens.
ROFL
I'm a PADI instructor. I solo dive. I don't do it around my students. But I don't deny it either. If asked, I will provide a brief explanation with an emphasis on experience and redundancy. Then I either show them my gear (or photos of it if the gear isn't handy). It usually sparks more questions. I just tell them to focus on the present. When the time is right, come back and talk to me. To be honest with you, most don't even ask to begin with. They're so focused on what they are doing that they don't notice anything else.
Pursue what you want to. You'll find that you'll need to keep your recreational interests and your technical interests separate to an extent. My recreational LDS knows I don't just dive recreationally, but we also don't talk about it much...
DeepBound
Contributor
JimLap:
I personally would go with the option of continuing what you do, but not telling anyone, especially your students and the dive shop. As you know and people keep pointing out here, solo diving isn't something that most people should do, even with training. I think students will learn more from example than from what is taught in the text book. Look at all the people who did their first solo dive because they just happened to be by themselves and near a beach.. it wasn't planned or thought out, they just did it. A student is a lot more likely to follow that dangerous path if they know that their instructor solo dives, IMO.
MidAtlantic
Guest
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SDI of SDI-TDI offers a solo cert.
fire_diver
Contributor
PADI used to be rabidly anti-solo. However, since SDI made a solo cert available they have decided they can make even more money by jumping onto this bandwagon as well. That position paper is just there foot in the door, so that in another year they can come out with their own course as say "See, we never said it would kill you. Read our position paper from years ago."
"Diving is a social activity" Thats funny! I find nothing social about it. I dive for MY OWN ENJOYMENT. If I have a good friend along, then so much the better. But to claim that we need groups of divers to embrace each other and sing songs together is stupid. BTW, this seems to be half of PADI mission. I have read THIER magazine. They seem to spend an inordiante amount of time hyping their exclusive member only dives. "LOOK AT ALL THE FUN FORM LAST MONTHS HOOT-AN-NANNY! SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT ONE IN 1 WEEK!"
fd
"Diving is a social activity" Thats funny! I find nothing social about it. I dive for MY OWN ENJOYMENT. If I have a good friend along, then so much the better. But to claim that we need groups of divers to embrace each other and sing songs together is stupid. BTW, this seems to be half of PADI mission. I have read THIER magazine. They seem to spend an inordiante amount of time hyping their exclusive member only dives. "LOOK AT ALL THE FUN FORM LAST MONTHS HOOT-AN-NANNY! SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT ONE IN 1 WEEK!"
fd
As a PADI pro, technically, I think I can have a QA brought against me for diving without a snorkel on a fun dive with friends. Once you cross a line, you're expected to follow PADI procedures at all times. Have fun!
Rachel
Rachel
I wonder what your PADI shop owner thinks about the virtual fact that when an instructor teaches a class, they are in essence doing so solo unless there is another instructor or DM along (who should be watching the students rather than the instructor anyway).
I would not dive solo during any activity where I was responsible for others nor would I do deep diving. However, my LDS knows my experience level, and that I accept any risk that I take in my personal diving. I am allowed to dive solo and/or deep on his boat with no questions asked.
I have posted a number of times on this subject. Statistically (based on my 46 years of experience), I am far more likely (20x) to have an incident while diving with a buddy than while diving solo. And the incidents are caused by that buddy.
I dive responsibly, with generally more than adequate redundancy and with top side supervision. I do NOT dive solo in areas I'm unfamiliar with, or on dives I feel require a buddy. And I actually prefer diving with a buddy when a compatible one is available (I have a number of them I enjoy diving with). However, my work requires me to frequently dive when a compatible buddy is not available.
Although I began solo diving within a few dozen dives, these situations all involved shallow dives in clear water with topside supervision. I could easily do a CESA from those depths even with evacuated lungs. The topside supervision was there in case any irregularities were observed while I was underwater.
I would never advocate diving solo to anyone. It is not a decision I would make for someone else. I only suggest that they are aware of how they react to stress and equipment failure underwater, and have a reasonable number of dives under different conditions before even considering it.
I would not dive solo during any activity where I was responsible for others nor would I do deep diving. However, my LDS knows my experience level, and that I accept any risk that I take in my personal diving. I am allowed to dive solo and/or deep on his boat with no questions asked.
I have posted a number of times on this subject. Statistically (based on my 46 years of experience), I am far more likely (20x) to have an incident while diving with a buddy than while diving solo. And the incidents are caused by that buddy.
I dive responsibly, with generally more than adequate redundancy and with top side supervision. I do NOT dive solo in areas I'm unfamiliar with, or on dives I feel require a buddy. And I actually prefer diving with a buddy when a compatible one is available (I have a number of them I enjoy diving with). However, my work requires me to frequently dive when a compatible buddy is not available.
Although I began solo diving within a few dozen dives, these situations all involved shallow dives in clear water with topside supervision. I could easily do a CESA from those depths even with evacuated lungs. The topside supervision was there in case any irregularities were observed while I was underwater.
I would never advocate diving solo to anyone. It is not a decision I would make for someone else. I only suggest that they are aware of how they react to stress and equipment failure underwater, and have a reasonable number of dives under different conditions before even considering it.
biscuit7:
I hope you're kidding with that post.
PADI only regulates what you do when you are representing them as a professional. They have no jurisdiction over you on non teaching, non leading dives.
in_cavediver
Contributor
biscuit7:
This is actually wrong. As a PADI Pro, when conducting a PADI program, you need to meet all of the standards or face the QA dept. Outside of the PADI program, you are another diver, free to make appropriate choices and the QA dept isn't involved. You are expected to follow the generally accepted safe dive practices and promote a positive image but that does not mean following PADI training standards on every dive. There are safe and generally accepted dives outside of the scope of PADI/DSAT.
If you are going to solo dive, and be an instructor or DM, be honest with your students about it. If you try to hide it or deny it, you are just appearing to pay lip service to the buddy system. That will instill the lack of neccessity of buddies in new divers. Solo diving is just another form of technical diving. Not for everyone and someone will always be around to condemn it as dangerous.
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