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I seem to be able to email again, I don't know what happened 
before.  In response to something I posted, someone asked why 
would you dive solo when the "redundancy of a competently 
trained, disciplined buddy" would be preferable, I think that 
is how it was put.  Sorry to bore those who already dive solo.

I believe that you should in no way, ever count on your buddy 
for anything: gas, assistance, comfort, dive planning, whatever.
A diver at whatever level should be prepared to cope with any 
eventuality on their own.  This is not to say that you should 
not dive with a buddy, if all else fails, they may be able to 
help, but I personally never count on it.  I am sure everyone 
can think of reasons for not diving with a buddy, often they 
are, in fact, redundant, as in confined spaces where they 
cannot reach you (see Greg Ryan's last post).  Additionally, 
everyone can think of situations where another diver may 
become a liability, for instance if you need to work in zero 
viz.

I agree that diving with a competent (I leave out the word 
trained on purpose), disiplined buddy is preferable than being 
alone, even if some of the dive is "solo area".  First you 
have to convince him/her to dive with you if you are goining 
into an area that is a "solo dive" where they may see nothing 
but your fins and silt for much of the dive. Secondly, and 
this is finally the reason for this post, is you have to find 
such a buddy.  The problem is, how are you going to know how 
your buddy is going to react to stress in a bad situation?  You 
can only find out by getting into trouble.  I know how I react, 
but the look of fear in a buddy's eyes causes despair if at 
that moment both your survival depends on appropriate action 
by both members of the team.  As if your not already frightened 
enough anyway.

You need to way up the pros and cons of each situation.  
I have had the misfortune to have buddies who I believed were 
competent endanger my life and their's by poor judgement (I 
still dive with them under certain circumstances, but not 
others).  Other buddies I have near complete confidence in.  
Mostly I dive with someone.

David Doolette
ddoolett@me*.ad*.ed*.au*

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