Why Solo Dive?

 

Have you ever thought, it would be nice to dive alone? Long-standing “rules” in the diving industry have typically been you always have to dive with a buddy. I am not here to say that is a bad practice because the term Safety in numbers comes to mind.

However, SDI developed the Solo diving course as a class to further the education of divers and to give certain ones a freedom of diving by themselves. This course is a very good, common sense, back to basics teaching that throws in a few more “rules.”

There are a few more rules in the solo course that a diver has to adhere to.

The first is there are limits.

  • Depth is limited by twice the distance you can free dive but not to exceed 60 feet.
  • There are no (no no no) overhead environments. No wrecks, caves, or caverns.

This course gives certain divers a freedom they have longed for such as photographers and spear-fishermen. Yes, that’s right, we all know how hard it is to tag along with a diver taking 100 plus photos a dive.

Safety Requirements

When solo diving, there are extra safety precautions you have to take. Why? You have no buddy to rely on, you rely on yourself. Equipment requirements are you have two of everything such as a complete redundant breathing system, additional cutting devices, and yes, we all should be carrying a surface marker buoy. There are other items, but the class will go over them.

The diving portion is similar to SDI Rescue course but contains a long surface swim in full gear.

One other question that has been asked, is why should I get solo certified? I don’t plan on diving alone, ever. Getting your solo certification, even if you don’t have plans of ever diving solo will help make you a better dive buddy.

Let’s go diving.

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