Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

Hi There,

I understand your argument but choose to not agree with you.

That does not mean that I think any less of you as a person, simply that as a 
general rule in all but the most unique of circumstances (a safety diver in 
an emergency comes to mind), I do not agree with diving solo.

Take care and dive safe,        Scott

Some weeks it's just not worth the effort to gnaw through the restraints and 
scramble up out of the pit.



In a message dated 1/31/02 3:53:49 PM, wentland@no*.ed* writes:

<< I remember posting the following on techdiver last Septmeber regarding 
Mike Pizzio diving solo and I remember the number of people who jumped on my 
case because of how unsafe they thought it was, I believe that one reputable 
individual stated that he would sit on the boat rather than dive solo or 
maybe we are not comparing apples to apples. Or maybe it's not what is said 
but who says it?


After experiencing lots of diving down here as a divemaster doing

recreational charters, I know where Mike is coming from. I got so that I

found diving more relaxing and safer diving solo than with a buddy picked at

random from the dive boat. A lot of times I would end up diving with the

least skilled of the bunch. I would get to repeatedly save their butt, do to

things like not being weighted properly, losing a tank, not watching their

air supply, or a host of other barn yard stupid things that can be expected

if one dives a couple times a year. These kind of people/tourists are the

bread & butter of  most dive boats in S. Florida. In my mind one is safer

diving alone and one has more of a worry free dive when you don't have to

worry about your buddy attacking you to get at your air supply or rushing to

the surface in a state of panic after seeing a nurse shark.

    I saw Mike dive with people like this repeatedly and I can say that this

sort of thing gets old. It starts to take the fun out of diving. Your nerves

start to frazzle and you wonder how people can take such risks with their

and your life, and you wonder who the hell trained this guy or girl. It can

get pretty frustrating as there seems to be an endless supply of these twice

a year, poorly trained divers out there.

    I found that if I dive as a divemaster solo, I can make the rounds and

save more barnyard stupid new divers from themselves.

    It is a great thing to always have a good buddy to dive with, but

someone needs to look out for the newbies of diving or the death toll &

insurance rates will sky rocket. Due to these continual experiences I find

diving much more relaxing solo too. I have jumped countless wrecks solo. I

will admit that it is not the safest act in the world, but it gets the job

done. No one wants to go for a sand dive. Most buddies can not keep up with

me going down. If your buddy stops because he can't clear his ears, that is

the end of the dive, maybe for the whole boat. Grappling is a good idea as

long as you do not grapple debris off the side of the wreck somewhere, or

the grapple does not unhook. Remember recreational divers don't carry lift

bags. If they did it would be a nightmare. I guess I'm done ramblin' on for

the moment.

 This is the reactive mentality that both I and Mike became used to. George,

I would bet that you have been in our shoes at one time. You know, where it

is safer to dive by yourself than with the people on the boat? 

Have a great day &

Good Diving,

Bye,

George >>
--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]