According to Scuba Diving: “Properly practiced, solo diving is a disciplined form of scuba rooted in careful planning and self-sufficiency. It requires more than antisocial tendencies. It requires the proper gear, training and attitude.” Elsewhere, Dale Bletso has written a thoughtful essay called “Solo Diving and the Recreational Diver.” For even more analysis, check out the book Solo Diving, by Robert Von Maier. If you’re interested, SDI offers solo diving certification courses.
Solo diving seems to be becoming increasingly popular. Is it because people are tired of being responsible for under-prepared divers on overcrowded boats? Is it because people are selfish? Is it because people bring lawsuits against dive buddies? What is the reason for this trend? Why do you solo divers dive solo?
1. Divers who incist on being my "buddy" often have been a big pain and on more dan one occasion I had to rescue them...
But I enjoi sharing the water with other solo divers.
Lets face it, if things go bad down there there a buddy is nog going to be of much help other than causing a 2nd victem. On the surface it migh be good voor moral support or agony. Rather have some one on the shore line waiting for me...
However I am a professional underwater photographer with more than 29 years of dive exprerience. 16 years as a instructor and do aprox 500 dives per year that last on average 2 hours or more...
When I get divers in the chamber, its ususal their "buddy" that caused them to be there.... Think about it...
Posted at 10:45PM on Aug 29th 2005 by Roger Willems