SDI and their 'Solo Diver' Qualification - advice please?

[Jules]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Steve W @ Mar. 12 2004,12:40)]Arguably, if you're instructing then you're solo diving anyway
Tried a solo dive once, it was fine, but afterwards there's no-one to say to "Wow! what did you think of this/that ?" so for me it's a bit boring.

yeah i am with you on that one steve..I like diving with a buddy!

[JohnD]

<font color='#F52887'>I do dive solo now and again and it is good not to have a buddy to concentrate on. I do not want to die so I think I am organised and have everythink safely organised on my rig, and dive long hose with my backup reg necklaced already. If I felt wary about a dive or it was an unfamiliar site or conditions were marginal then I would only dive with a buddy.
as they say accidents happen by accident not by plan, so you can never be 100% safe even with a buddy pair working well.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (JohnDuncan @ Mar. 12 2004,13:49)]I do dive solo now and again and it is good not to have a buddy to concentrate on. I do not want to die so I think I am organised and have everythink safely organised on my rig, and dive long hose with my backup reg necklaced already. If I felt wary about a dive or it was an unfamiliar site or conditions were marginal then I would only dive with a buddy.
as they say accidents happen by accident not by plan, so you can never be 100% safe even with a buddy pair working well.

Sounds like you already have things covered + a &quot;head together&quot; attitude.

I like to believe this is how I dive too. SDI course? Shall we say I am not that bothered.

[David Wallace]

I have the Card
The course is very much orientated to attitude and equipment. For recreational solo dives (single tank no redundancy) you recieve a certification to a depth twice what you can free dive to. For the full redundancy stuff there is no certified depth...... just the certified depth of whatever other courses you have done.

What use is it?

1) Photography

2) Insurance! My insurance covers me to dive within my qualifications..... whatever they are. So now I'm insured when solo diving - which includes a lot of the time on holiday with a camera stuck to my mask.


I'm not commenting on the value of the course ......... but I think my reasons for doing it are, for me, very valid

Regards

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Skipper @ Mar. 12 2004,14:22)]What use is it?

1) Photography

2) Insurance! My insurance covers me to dive within my qualifications..... whatever they are. So now I'm insured when solo diving - which includes a lot of the time on holiday with a camera stuck to my mask.


I'm not commenting on the value of the course ......... but I think my reasons for doing it are, for me, very valid

Regards

<font color='#F52887'>good points, but does your insurance REALLY cover you to dive solo? I didnt think that any insurance would cover you for that.

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Finless @ Mar. 12 2004,14:12)]SDI course? Shall we say I am not that bothered.

<font color='#F52887'>I dont think that I am now that I think it over, I will be doing my Trimix later this year so that should cover me for solo diving really. After you get to the advanced Nitrox &amp; deco level the agencies all tell you that effectively you are diving solo, so that is good enough for me.

[Andy Phillips]

Can't help but to chip in.

I my opinion the only valid reason to do a solo diving course is one of insurance, as for the rest, redundancy etc. just apply common sense.

Andrew

[Pink & Fluffy]

<font color='#810541'>Hi I also enjoy &nbsp;shallow solo diving its very relaxing just being able to concentrate on what you are doing and not have to keep turning round to see what he/she is up to .I find it also makes one very aware of your surrounding`s underwater ,your kit configuration ,every aspect of the dive seems &nbsp;sharper , also you &nbsp;have no one to impress or let down its just you and your dive , one &nbsp;also does not rely on their &nbsp;buddy to do there thinking for them . Solo diving has its drawbacks as well as buddy diving &nbsp;but its like any extreme sport it has dangers but everyone makes there own choice and knows the consequences should it all go very wrong . Its time that this subject was brought out of the colset into the open and discussed more freely without fear of being looked down apon. This in itself would make the hole area of solo diving safer as we could all learn alot from one another`s experiences . It would be good &nbsp;one day to see a whole forum dedicated to this topic. Fiona.

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (JohnDuncan @ Mar. 12 2004,14:31)]

good points, but does your insurance REALLY cover you to dive solo? I didnt think that any insurance would cover you for that.

Yes it does I have checked!

I am covered to dive within my qualifications

regards

[DALESDIVER]

<font color='#FF0000'>It also means that when you are on a boat on your hols, you are certified to not have to dive with the buddy from hell, that the operator usually tries to palm off on you, if you are on your todd. But it also means that you are insured if you are solo diving, 99% of insurers are happy as long as you hold a recognised qualification.
The course learns you about getting yourself out the mire, and more importantly not getting in to it in the first place.