Solo diving techniques

If you choose to do solo cave dives, I would be interested to know:

1) gear configuation; eg, backmount doubles with the isolator open/closed, buddy bottle, sidemount etc..?

2) do you dive 1/3s or something more conservative (I know this depends on where you are and the conditions, but asking in general)?

3) What gas rules do you use if diving with a buddy bottle?

4) do you carry more than 2 backup lights. extra mask, other items that you might not take when diving with a buddy?

5) any other modifications, calculations etc. that you use to dive solo.

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Serota

If you choose to do solo cave dives, I would be interested to know:

1) gear configuation; eg, backmount doubles with the isolator open/closed, buddy bottle, sidemount etc..?

2) do you dive 1/3s or something more conservative (I know this depends on where you are and the conditions, but asking in general)?

3) What gas rules do you use if diving with a buddy bottle?

4) do you carry more than 2 backup lights. extra mask, other items that you might not take when diving with a buddy?

5) any other modifications, calculations etc. that you use to dive solo.

Thanks.

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Standard cave gear (backmount, isolator open) + buddy bottle that will get me out from my deepest planned penatration. Buddy bottle is not part of normal gas planning ie 1/3s.
No other changes.

I would NEVER use 1/3 of what I have. I have two solo configurations: when swimming, 1/4 of backmounted doubles and a buddy bottle big enough to get me out from maximum penetration, or dive 1/6 of sidemount; and when scootering, breathe 1/2 plus 200 of a stage and don't breathe backmounted doubles. Okay, that's three configurations.

I'm fortunate in that I have a low breathing rate and don't like really long dives, so I can afford to be very conservative.

A few other points: anybody that dives with a closed isolator and calls that redundant is fooling him/herself. Solo diving requires TRUE redundancy. Also, the only light I add is a small one hanging from a chest D-ring that's on the whole dive (had a primary light go out while scootering and it got dark REAL fast!). Never carried a backup mask - maybe I ought to.

I add an AL 80 stage for buddy bottle when diving backmount.

When diving sidemount, I don't do anything different. No buddy bottle carried.

I carry a backup mask diving solo and buddy system. I don't add additional lights for solo. As usual, 2 knives, etc.

(Since solo diving is SO dangerous, I also take a camera so I can take pics of the last few moments of my life and a wetnotes notebook so I can write letters to all the dive buddies I love saying goodbye, if the need arises. :lol: )

Oh, I got another idea. Maybe the adult novelty stores could come up with something similar to their blow-up dolls called the blow-up dive buddy in case you ever almost get caught solo diving a place where it's prohibited. ;-)

I prefer to dive solo in certain cave systems where the visibility is low and zeros out at certain points and where it's impossible to maintain continual visual contact with my buddy.

I carry an extra hand-held primary light and 1 or 2 extra backup lights.

I abide by the "thirds" rule and don't like the "half plus 200" rule because it doesn't leave you much leeway if you get delayed during exit because of reduced visibility or a direction change in current.

I always carry 1 primary and 3 backups regardless of solo or not.
That way if the primary fails I won't necessarily have to call the dive as I will still have 3 lights.
I ALWAYS carry a spare mask in my thigh pocket now after it occured to me how screwed I would really be if I had some sort of freakish 1 in a billion mask shattering failure especially if I'm alone. Not being able to see my gages while blindly clawing my way out of a cave would suck.
Everything else is pretty much the same, Rule of 1/3's etc.

I dove solo in backmount with a stage a few times, and did normal breathing techniques (1/3rd of back and 1/3 of stage) but have decided that is not conservative enough (or at all for that matter!). For backmount I adopted the stage that I dont breath out of, and almost 1/3rds on backmount 95's, cause the al 80 is roughly 1/3 of 95s pumped up.

Since i dive sidemount now, I havent done any big solo dives, but will follow the almost 1/3rd rule still since its independant tanks.

I have 3 backup lights, 2 on my helmet, with one always on (when solo). Extra mask.

Just be more careful, it can get scary alone in there if you mess up on anything! (trust me!)

The main thing is to make sure you have enough air in buddy bottles to get out if you have a complete failure on manifolded doubles. Closing the isolator makes no difference. For example, if you are using double 108's and start with a good fill, you have used 95 cu ft of air when you hit thirds. If you have a catastrophic failure at that point, an aluminum 80 will not get you out.

I usually do longer penetrations on a rebreather but that has the same issue as manifolded doubles. When I do longer penetrations such as the Berman room at Ginnie, I take 2 aluminum 80's as bailout bottles. I do not use them under normal circumstances. I leave one at stage bottle rock and keep the other one with me. That way, I have enough air to get out if my rebreather floods and my scooter fails.

You have to know how much bailout air you need to get out. Then either carry extra tanks if necessary or turn when you have used less than 80 cu ft in your back gas if you use one bailout bottle. I would be conservative on this.

If I do not use my rebreather, I prefer sidemount for solo. There is no single point of failure.You can also do your own bubble check and swap regs more easily if you have to.

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Originally Posted by CaptainSpeleo

don't like the "half plus 200" rule because it doesn't leave you much leeway

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If this is in response to my post, remember that in the event of a delayed exit, I have a full set of doubles on my back.

1. Sidemount. I was extremely uncomfortable diving backmount solo and that's why I learned sidemount.

2 & 3. I use 1/3s - I feel that's adequately conservative. On stages I'll also go 1/3. In high flow caves I feel this is excessive redundancy but am too much of a nancy to take myself up on my own beliefs so I still dive 1/3's. Instead what I'll do is a little extra exploration on the way out on side caves. Frankly the tedium of the expected deco tends to limit me more than conservatism on gas reserves.

4. Extra gear -
I carry 4 or 5 backup lights, one (switched on) on my mask, 2 on my rig and 1 or 2 in a pocket.
I carry an extra knife.
I prefer diving drysuit when solo, even though I know it slows me down, for buoyancy.
When diving a scooter I make VERY sure I've planned enough gas to swim out - sometimes this means an unused stage just for swimming exits.
I also carry a reel and 2 spools beyond what I plan to use.
In Ginnie, I carry a laminated map in my pocket of the region I'm in.
Two computers.

I don't carry a mask - although I used to, it kept getting destroyed and I've just heard so few examples of people needing one that I think it's overkill. Perhaps I should reconsider that one.

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Originally Posted by Serota

If you choose to do solo cave dives, I would be interested to know:

1) gear configuation; eg, backmount doubles with the isolator open/closed, buddy bottle, sidemount etc..?

2) do you dive 1/3s or something more conservative (I know this depends on where you are and the conditions, but asking in general)?

3) What gas rules do you use if diving with a buddy bottle?

4) do you carry more than 2 backup lights. extra mask, other items that you might not take when diving with a buddy?

5) any other modifications, calculations etc. that you use to dive solo.

Thanks.

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My 2 cents worth: If you have never experienced zero visability deep inside, don't solo-! (2) If you have never had to extricate yourself from deep inside a tight passage, where you are hopelessly stuck{& now your regs are chock full of clay}{requires you to take each 2nd stage apart to clean them, while still stuck}don't Solo-! (3) If you have never had to untangle your primary reel from a 'rat's nest' deep inside a zero vis passageway, & then fine finger your way out,.......Don't Solo-!
BTW, all of these things are skills that anyone can develop with practice 8)


J.

ps: Gas management should always be #1 on your list-!

Sidemount; thirds, to include stages. if I scooter solo, I have two scooters, one spare that I switch onto at turn. If it requires more, I'll stage bottles and scooters. I never solo with one scooter. Aainsley presents an alternative, place enough gas to swim out, which is one way, but you get punished at deco, and depending on the depth, that will most likely not be an option. Ensure that you plan enough deco gas to cover this emergency swim exit (in either case), time is no factor- if you run out of the deco gas above you can always switch to the next deeper gas, you just hang out all night.

Personally, once I am past two stages I place safety bottles, the odds of a gas failure increase with each bottle, and a significant delay (getting stuck somewhere sidemount) can easily exhaust your safety third or more on a stage bottle.

I never solo without a dry suit. Redundant lift.

oops- some more.

I never carry more than one exploration reel- Unless I need two. If you have to make jumps and crap like that your diving the wrong place, or the line needs to be fixed. A large exploration reel as your primary reel leaves lots of line for fixing errant or retarded line gaps. I carry lots of line arrows.
(Ok, that is not strictly true, though it should be. Sometimes I carry a jump reel if I know I'm going somewhere that requires a retarded gap reel in the beginning.)
Not to mention, a large reel leaves plently of line for line searching in large dark passage.
Carry a spare small knife. Or at least carry a knife. (Right Cindy?) Geez.
I dont carry extra lights- Primary and two are sufficient if they are sufficient to be used as a backup light (many arent) and spares can be staged with safety bottles for really long dives.
One computer (backup and depth) one watch and tables (primary) (In most cases you will know the depth where you are going, so you dont have to look at the computer until just before turnaround (or max pen) to see how deep the new passage you just laid line down was.

hee hee. feelin cranky.

Jason

Extra dive planning, visualization, redundancy and when you are back mount diving, a "diver's mirror" (a.k.a. signaling mirror, for self bubble check) won't hurt.

Safe diving.

ED

Sludge:

My comment about the "half plus 200" rule was not in response to your reply, so please don't take offense to it. I was just making a general comment about it.

Aainslie:

I started sidemounting about 3 years ago and rarely do any backmounting anymore, unless it's something real deep and requiring stage and deco tanks. I also feel more mentally comfortable doing a solo dive in sidemounts.

Frank

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Originally Posted by Serota

1) gear configuation; eg, backmount doubles with the isolator open/closed, buddy bottle, sidemount etc..?

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Independent Doubles - same air rules as for sidemount. (1/3 off tank 1, 1/3 off tank 2 - turn - down to 1/2 tank 2, down to 1/3 tank 1, 1/6th tank 2 etc. On a normal dive jut 2 reg swaps involved (Tank 1->Tank 2-turn-Tank2->Tank 1-exit). two pressure gages - one 1st and second stage on each tank.
Use a long hose on tank 2 for buddy diving - puts the long hose in reg in mouth for donation thru the distant end of the dive thru the turn and much of the way back out.

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2) do you dive 1/3s or something more conservative (I know this depends on where you are and the conditions, but asking in general)?

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Normal 1/3s - more reserved for standard reasons (scooter/syphon/etc)

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3) What gas rules do you use if diving with a buddy bottle?

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My backmount tanks are 120 each - so if i have a buddy bottle I breath a 1/3 from each - leave the buddy bottle untouched - leaving 80 cuft in each of 3 bottles. In case of any accident that gives the best ballance of air reserves.

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4) do you carry more than 2 backup lights. extra mask, other items that you might not take when diving with a buddy?

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Yes I have found a 2nd primary light is a good backup to have. I have a 2nd HID NiMh 10W HID I carry on many solo dives. If geting out on a backup light would cause a delay (for example scootering on a b/u is slow).

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5) any other modifications, calculations etc. that you use to dive solo.

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2 computers, b/u deco gas bottles if it is a critical part of dive plan, sometimes dual scoooters, extra safety boottles, cell phones for remote locations, surface O2 in car for emergencies... probably lots of other things.

A couple of replys have mentioned Ginnie. Is solo cave diving allowed at Ginnie??

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Originally Posted by steve2281

A couple of replys have mentioned Ginnie. Is solo cave diving allowed at Ginnie??

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Ginnie/LR/Telford : solo allowed
Madison/Peacock: State Park, no solo, enforced

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Originally Posted by akcaver

with one always on (when solo).

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Why?

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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Originally Posted by Oister

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Originally Posted by akcaver

with one always on (when solo).

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Why?

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Yes, so when the primary light goes out im not completely in the dark. I dont have it on when im with a buddy because having two lights on may confuse the buddy.

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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First of all you are right I have never even done a solo cave dive that is why I asked. 2nd if I wanted an answer like that I would of posted on TDS. I thought that asking questions and learning things was the point of this forum. Why not give an answer that is helpful not a wise crack about my diving and how superior you are to all the little people in cyber land.

Just to be a smart &*% like your self. Are you afraid of the dark? It takes what 10 seconds to turn on your backup.

Anyway you should try to help others instead of knocking them down.

Russel Oister

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Originally Posted by Oister

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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First of all you are right I have never even done a solo cave dive that is why I asked. 2nd if I wanted an answer like that I would of posted on TDS. I thought that asking questions and learning things was the point of this forum. Why not give an answer that is helpful not a wise crack about my diving and how superior you are to all the little people in cyber land.

Just to be a smart &*% like your self. Are you afraid of the dark? It takes what 10 seconds to turn on your backup.

Anyway you should try to help others instead of knocking them down.

Russel Oister

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Wow! With Rule 6 dead, the forum sure changed fast. Already reminds me of the old GUE forum.

I re-read my post about seven times and still can't see how someone would have been offended by it. Maybe if I had added a smilie to it . . .

:D :-D :) :-) :( :o :? 8) :lol: :x :P :oops: :cry: :evil: :twisted:

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Originally Posted by Oister

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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First of all you are right I have never even done a solo cave dive that is why I asked. 2nd if I wanted an answer like that I would of posted on TDS. I thought that asking questions and learning things was the point of this forum. Why not give an answer that is helpful not a wise crack about my diving and how superior you are to all the little people in cyber land.

Just to be a smart &*% like your self. Are you afraid of the dark? It takes what 10 seconds to turn on your backup.

Anyway you should try to help others instead of knocking them down.

Russel Oister

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There are a couple of reasons for keeping my mask light on.

1) Reading gauges when scootering. Really helpful.
2) Seriously, I think my SAC trebles when my light goes out when solo. It really turns a heart-thumping event into a non-event.

I use an LED light with about 50 hours of burn time. It's a wonderful little thing!

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Originally Posted by Oister

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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First of all you are right I have never even done a solo cave dive that is why I asked. 2nd if I wanted an answer like that I would of posted on TDS. I thought that asking questions and learning things was the point of this forum. Why not give an answer that is helpful not a wise crack about my diving and how superior you are to all the little people in cyber land.

Just to be a smart &*% like your self. Are you afraid of the dark? It takes what 10 seconds to turn on your backup.

Anyway you should try to help others instead of knocking them down.

Russel Oister

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I did not get that from Sludge's post. Perhaps he did not go into great detail like saying you don not have your buddy's light to keep the passage lit up so loosing the line is definitely a possibility, but I do not see how what he did write could be construed as a wise-a$$ remark. I love the dark myself, but that first fraction of a second when you loose light can be somewhat disorienting no matter how well prepared you are (or make think yourself to be.)

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Originally Posted by aainslie

I use an LED light with about 50 hours of burn time. It's a wonderful little thing!

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What kind of light ?

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Originally Posted by Oister

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

Why?

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If you've ever been solo and your primary light went out, you wouldn't ask this question.

It gets dark REAL fast.

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First of all you are right I have never even done a solo cave dive that is why I asked. 2nd if I wanted an answer like that I would of posted on TDS. I thought that asking questions and learning things was the point of this forum. Why not give an answer that is helpful not a wise crack about my diving and how superior you are to all the little people in cyber land.

Just to be a smart &*% like your self. Are you afraid of the dark? It takes what 10 seconds to turn on your backup.

Anyway you should try to help others instead of knocking them down.

Russel Oister

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Maybe I was just looking for a fight when I woke up. I'm sorry I snaped out. I just took it has a shot at me.Reading gauges on a scotter is a good thing. I only asked because I was thinking of adding a small downward pointing light on my mask or helmit if I start to use one. again I'm sorry

Russel

No problem at all.

As far as down-pointing lights go, I use a Princeton Tec Attitude. It has three LEDs and runs on four AAAs. I have it attached to my left chest D-ring, and it puts out a "glow" below me.

As DeWayne pointed out, you can enjoy the dark and still receive a jolt when the primary light just up and goes out. In my case I was an arm's length from the gold line; since I scooter a tad negative, I just got off the throttle, stuck my hand out, and within five seconds I had the line in my hand. Now I never solo without an Attitude!

FWIW, Sheck Exley always left one backup light on, in case of primary failure.

While it is true that it doesn't take long to turn on a backup light, a lot can go wrong in that little time. You could get disoriented, and lose the line, or plow down into the silt.

When you have a buddy nearby, primary light failure is not as big an issue, because their light will orient you until you get a backup light on.

If you scooter solo, you *really* need a backup almost as bright as your primary. If you don't you are going to be very slow on your way out. It is hard to see the line far enough ahead at scooter speed with a weak light.

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Originally Posted by FW

If you scooter solo, you *really* need a backup almost as bright as your primary. If you don't you are going to be very slow on your way out. It is hard to see the line far enough ahead at scooter speed with a weak light.

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Thats a very good point Forrest, in fact within a minute of reading this I think im going to upgrade my backup light in the near future when i get my scooter in the near future! Speaking of spare parts for lights... 8)

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Originally Posted by akcaver

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Originally Posted by FW

If you scooter solo, you *really* need a backup almost as bright as your primary. If you don't you are going to be very slow on your way out. It is hard to see the line far enough ahead at scooter speed with a weak light.

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Thats a very good point Forrest, in fact within a minute of reading this I think im going to upgrade my backup light in the near future when i get my scooter in the near future! Speaking of spare parts for lights... 8)

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They are still in my truck :-)

- Sidemount
- 1/3rds (or less as appropriate for environment)
- Helmet and extra light on helmet, turned on (LED)

Thanks to all of you who posted the VERY HELPFUL responses to my original question.

Regarding backup lights - has anyone tried the OMS "Ultra Bright Headlamp"?

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Originally Posted by FW

FWIW, Sheck Exley always left one backup light on, in case of primary failure.

While it is true that it doesn't take long to turn on a backup light, a lot can go wrong in that little time. You could get disoriented, and lose the line, or plow down into the silt.

When you have a buddy nearby, primary light failure is not as big an issue, because their light will orient you until you get a backup light on.

If you scooter solo, you *really* need a backup almost as bright as your primary. If you don't you are going to be very slow on your way out. It is hard to see the line far enough ahead at scooter speed with a weak light.

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LOL The one time I had a primary go I was diving solo on a scooter. The first thing I said out loud through my reg was "Holy #### its dark in here".

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Originally Posted by BobK

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Originally Posted by aainslie

I use an LED light with about 50 hours of burn time. It's a wonderful little thing!

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What kind of light ?

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Mini Q-40. I see that the specs say 6 hours, but mine lasts way longer than that at a dimmer level. Maybe not 50 hours but definitely about 15-20 or so.

I don't do anything different usually.I dive Sidemount. I always carry three back-ups and two knives, two computers/timers, spare mask, etc. I do dive much more conservatively when solo, taking time to self check each jump or task. I do not do penetrations as far as I would with a buddy, but I tend to do more exploring closer to the entrance.

I really enjoy it. It is great to practice any skills or try out a new piece of gear or configuration at your own pace. You can polk around as much as you want and I do find it very relaxing, not having to keep an eye on your buddy all the time.

I know exactly what Russell was talking about when he said it gets dark fast, and I know he meant no offense. One really has no appreciation for how fast and how dark it gets when you are alone. I have not been leaving a light on, but when I find one that I am comfortable with as far as size and attachement, I probably will.

It does not have to be a big light at all. Even a singal LED will give you plenty of light to figure things out and is like the sun comapred to how dark it gets.
Don't get me wrong, I love a nice bright primary, but I think we are too spoiled.

Join the Chemical Light Society and you will see how little light you really need to dive a cave. :-D Again, those are some very relaxing dives.

So if you leave a light on for your whole dive do you carry 3 backups? 1 Primary, 1 on all the time light,and 3 backups.

What is the Chemical Light Society?

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Originally Posted by Oister

So if you leave a light on for your whole dive do you carry 3 backups? 1 Primary, 1 on all the time light,and 3 backups.

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I've scootered Ginnie on a 3W LED, and Little River on a 1W. Both times I turned the scooter way down (from 7 to 4) and came off the trigger quite frequently but it was manageable.

And yup, personally I keep at least 3 backups beyond the one that's on. I should point out that I use cheap backups - the UK Mini Q-40 and the Princeton Tech Attitude or Impact 2. The philosophy is the same as RAID techonology for disks - failure of all is a product of the failure probability of any one, hence 4 x $20-$40 lights are less likely to all fail than 2 x $100 lights.

BTW, at a pinch some computers work well as a "light". The VR3 gives out phenomenal amounts of light!

when you turn on those little Attitudes, dont crank them down all the way, just enough for them to turn on. Then they wont leak. I think the plastic case distorts if you tighten them down too much. This may be true for other little plastic lights as well.

the mask light issue touches a nerve. May I hijack & vent?

1) No they are not blinding you. if anyone says "your mask lights blind me" ask them what happens when they illuminate their own watch with a $1200 21W HID. Consider dry caving - everyone has the brightest light they can afford on their helmet and nobody cares.

2) No its not an entanglement hazzard. At most is less of an entanglement hazzard than floating around in complete darkness, fumbling for your secondary.

I dive them on a mask for gauge, watch, and wetnotes, and they provide plenty of light when the primary fails. A primary failure and ten seconds once meant a missed jump in high flow for me. So spread the word, kids! Strap a dim light on your noggin even if you don't solo. And knowing is half the battle!

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Originally Posted by Oister

What is the Chemical Light Society?

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To qualify, you must make a cave dive where you and any buddies use only a chem light (cyalume).

When I did my qualifying dive I was solo and had my primary and two backups as usual, but none got turned on. The whole dive was illuminated by a chem light.

If you make one of these dives, PM tj and he'll give you access to the Chemical Light Society Forum. :D

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Originally Posted by Jay

Join the Chemical Light Society and you will see how little light you really need to dive a cave. :-D Again, those are some very relaxing dives.

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I can believe that! In the past - if I got a little spooked in a cave or I was trying to work out a 'surprise' problem - I would close my eyes for a few seconds to slow down the breathing and heart rate. Now I just cover my light. Very mellowing.

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

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Originally Posted by Oister

What is the Chemical Light Society?

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To qualify, you must make a cave dive where you and any buddies use only a chem light (cyalume).

When I did my qualifying dive I was solo and had my primary and two backups as usual, but none got turned on. The whole dive was illuminated by a chem light.

If you make one of these dives, PM tj and he'll give you access to the Chemical Light Society Forum. :D

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I will put that on my list for my FL trip in 2 weeks.

I've been wondering the same thing about the Chemical Light Society. I think I'll be doing my qualifying dive in a couple of weeks, too. :D

What's the best color to use? And where do you usually keep it?

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Originally Posted by Dave Lizdas

when you turn on those little Attitudes, dont crank them down all the way, just enough for them to turn on. Then they wont leak. I think the plastic case distorts if you tighten them down too much. This may be true for other little plastic lights as well.

the mask light issue touches a nerve. May I hijack & vent?

1) No they are not blinding you. if anyone says "your mask lights blind me" ask them what happens when they illuminate their own watch with a $1200 21W HID. Consider dry caving - everyone has the brightest light they can afford on their helmet and nobody cares.

2) No its not an entanglement hazzard. At most is less of an entanglement hazzard than floating around in complete darkness, fumbling for your secondary.

I dive them on a mask for gauge, watch, and wetnotes, and they provide plenty of light when the primary fails. A primary failure and ten seconds once meant a missed jump in high flow for me. So spread the word, kids! Strap a dim light on your noggin even if you don't solo. And knowing is half the battle!

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I agree!!!

..

Are these lights those little glow sticks that you tie to your tank when doing an open water night dive? It sounds interesting...something i will have to try.
Question, which glow stick gives off the best light? Yellow, green, blue, red, purple? Or you could have something like a rave dive and just have all of them for an out-of-this world experience 8)

Alright...I'm going to be in FL May 18th.

I'm bringing light sticks.

Who wants to go diving? :)

Green.

Cavern-No light stick required
Intro-Red
Apprentice-Yellow
Green-Full

I'm a green guy. :-D

What about blue?

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Originally Posted by RN

What about blue?

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That would be for those that failed their cave course :-)

I'm sorry but I just have to ask. How many backup sticks do you carry? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

About 30-35 sticks if you have a bellows style pocket. :-D
Flat pocket, only about 8 to 10. :cry:

FYI, campmor.com has the Princeton Tec Attitude on sale for $13

Not that I have kept a light on before, but I think it would be great to have if scootering and your primary fails - it sucks to be traveling fast and all of a sudden not know how close you are to the wall. I am not sure a little mask mounted light would help there, but it is probably worth testing out.

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Originally Posted by Moonfuzzy

Not that I have kept a light on before, but I think it would be great to have if scootering and your primary fails - it sucks to be traveling fast and all of a sudden not know how close you are to the wall. I am not sure a little mask mounted light would help there, but it is probably worth testing out.

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It does help. It also helps with the quick glances at guages.

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Originally Posted by Moonfuzzy

Not that I have kept a light on before, but I think it would be great to have if scootering and your primary fails - it sucks to be traveling fast and all of a sudden not know how close you are to the wall. I am not sure a little mask mounted light would help there, but it is probably worth testing out.

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I know scooters feel fast but they go at under 3 mph. There's time and light enough with the mask light.

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Originally Posted by Jay

I don't do anything different usually.I dive Sidemount. I always carry three back-ups and two knives, two computers/timers, spare mask, etc. I do dive much more conservatively when solo, taking time to self check each jump or task. I do not do penetrations as far as I would with a buddy, but I tend to do more exploring closer to the entrance.

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Ditto. I don't fuss with headlamps either...you wusses

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Originally Posted by Jordan

Ditto. I don't fuss with headlamps either...you wusses

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I think you and I should do a dpv dive to EOL ginnie on green chem lights next weekend... you in? :wink: