Keeping it simple, sticking with a streamlined profile, and fully understanding how each and every piece of your equipment works: These are three equipment “musts” for solo diving. Whether you dive solo now or are considering taking a self-sufficient diver course, these equipment tips will prove helpful.
Carry Redundant Equipment - Solo Diving Tips
Many recreational divers carry redundant equipment even though they never go solo. This way, they never have to rely on a buddy in the event one piece of vital equipment fails or is lost. Always carry more than one light, a second dive knife, plenty of signaling equipment, a backup regulator, and a redundant air source. An octopus or safe second isn’t appropriate for this purpose; instead, choose a pony bottle, carry twin cylinders with an isolation valve, use independent doubles, or keep Spare Air on hand. Think carefully as you select your redundant air source: Will it really be enough to get you to safety in an emergency?
Keep it Simple - Solo Diving Tips
How many gadgets does a diver need? Sometimes the number of items people bring with them underwater approaches the ridiculous: two or three dive computers, a scooter, a camera, and a video camera is probably way too much to pay attention to on the average dive, let alone a solo dive. Select a goal for your dive, whether that’s going places quickly with a DPV, getting great photos, or looking for lobsters with a tickle stick, and choose your gear accordingly.
Stay Streamlined - Solo Diving Tips
Streamlining is essential no matter when or where you dive, but it’s even more important for solo divers. You’ve almost certainly seen at least one diver who looks as though his or her equipment is a hindrance rather than an extension of the body. Not only does poorly configured equipment contribute to feelings of awkwardness, it increases your task load.
Streamlined scuba equipment plays a critical role in contributing to your comfort underwater, and it increases your level of control. When purchasing and configuring your equipment for solo diving, ensure that streamlining takes high priority. When properly streamlined, scuba equipment has nothing protruding or dangling. Focus on creating stowage solutions that will allow you to keep everything secure.
Understand Your Equipment Configuration - Solo Diving Tips
Your equipment can be a liability if you don’t understand everything about it, including how it works and the way in which it is configured. You need to be completely certain of where each and every item is located and know how it works, to the point that you could almost locate and use it in your sleep. Always configure your equipment the same, whether diving solo or with buddies.
Besides redundant air, a second knife, a backup regulator, and an extra light, there’s no special equipment required for diving solo. What is most important is that you are able to plan a dive, determine your limits based on knowledge of your personal gas consumption, perform exacting dive and decompression profiles, and be able to navigate in expert fashion. In addition, you should be well-versed in changing to a backup regulator and you should know how to operate each and every item you bring with you. Finally, many venues now allow solo diving as long as individuals are certified to dive alone. Taking a solo diving course, even if you’re already a proficient solo diver, will open up new opportunities for underwater fun.