>And yet after solo diving for the past 4 years I am still alive. I 
>strenuously object to the statement that all OW divers should have 
>buddies. If that was ever enforced I would quit the sport.
>
>Now, having said that, to solo dive you need a proper redundant air 
>supply system (hogarth is good start) and other equipment and the 
>experience to know your limitations while solo (penetrations, deco 
>obligation, conditions etc.) and proper mindset (paniky divers need not 
>apply) before you choose to do this.

Jim,

This is apples and oranges to some extent. Cave and OW diving have two 
different sets of problems. I can't come to the surface if an air problem 
or any other problem arises. Of course, neither can an OW diver with deco 
obligation, except that THEY could surface, survive and endure a chamber 
ride.

Other thing is that even when lobstering, wrecking wrecks & etc. I would 
suggest, while bowing to those who actually do it, that even then a buddy 
is better than none. You may root around for a while and so may your 
buddy, each pursuing a goal, but even then I wonder if having the other 
set of eyes and extra air available couldn't be an asset. Think of it as 
"Solo Buddies." Diving at the same time, in the same area, but 
independent except when you check in. Vis could nix that, though.

As I said, I don't consider solo diving to be evil, in some applications 
it is probably the best alternative, such as sump diving and it may be 
that in your special circumstances it is preferable as well. But to paint 
all divers with the broad brush and say that solo diving is better than 
buddy diving and SAFER is simply not true. For the vast majority of 
divers in the world, buddy diving is still a safer diving configuration 
when the divers are properly trained and decently matched.

later,

JoeL
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