Solo Diving

[TONY CHANEY]

For the patient's benifit I hope I am in the ER if we get a DCS patient. We have a small hyperbaric chamber and now CMC has discontinueed theirs we might see some patient's but not very likely.

[floridakid]

I have been a Paramedic for 31 years and have never seen that in any book, it wasn't even in my SSI stress/rescue book.

I just got a chance to double check and the second edition of The Essentials of Paramedic Care in the chapter discussing dive emergencies says "send the patient's diving equipment with the patient for examination. If that is impossible arrange for local examination and gas analysis."

[whodunit68]

I just got a chance to double check and the second edition of The Essentials of Paramedic Care in the chapter discussing dive emergencies says "send the patient's diving equipment with the patient for examination. If that is impossible arrange for local examination and gas analysis."

thank you for taking the time to verify it. To be honest, I hope that all diving emergencies suddenly stop and I never need to be in the position to assist anyone for that reason but if I am, it's good to know this type of data as I'm nowhere close to the medical field.

[diveongas]

That's why I put my light on my non-dominate hand.

Mask light solves this as well.

[Greenwood_60]

For those that solo dive, how many dives did you have before starting to solo dive? Or, how many cave dives did you have before starting to solo cave dive? What was it that convinced you to take that first solo cave dive?

[CaveMD]

Mask light solves this as well.

Mask light solves a great many problems provided it is a fairly dim and unfocused one. The only real issue with a mask light is a very bright one with a tight beam, and even that is only an issue when diving with others and you look them in the face.

My mask light lasts like 4+hrs on 4 rechargeable AA batteries.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

[gianaameri]

For those that solo dive, how many dives did you have before starting to solo dive? Or, how many cave dives did you have before starting to solo cave dive? What was it that convinced you to take that first solo cave dive?

I was a "team" diver, but where I dive there is a culture of "solo" diving (even when entering the cave as a group).

So, willy nilly I had to start self-teach solo diving... and I discovered it is superior/safer than team diving in an overhead environment.

I think though that it is something not capable of being theorised on in internet forum, unless you have tried it and done it first-hand first... a bit like talking about orgasm without ever having experienced one.

I'd prefer though too call it "independent" or "self-reliant" diving, insofar it does not preclude "team" diving, the main difference is that the "team" is composed of truly independent divers each capable of self-rescue and independent ("solo") operation - therefore the team of independent and self-reliant divers are more effective and safer than the team of "dependent" divers (in the latter if one element of the team breaks down, the whole team is potentially compromised).

"Solo" diving brings out the inherent weaknesses and dangers of team diving (i.e. the dog pack mentality causing each individual in the team to move forward because the other does, this beyond the individual and team true physical, logistical, and psychological capability).

Only other "solo" divers would be able to appreciate what I am trying to communicate.

[loquat149]

For those that solo dive, how many dives did you have before starting to solo dive? Or, how many cave dives did you have before starting to solo cave dive? What was it that convinced you to take that first solo cave dive?

I think there's a time and a place for solo diving. However, attempting to dive alone in a cave without a solid 100 dives post Full Cave/Deco training and proficiency in managing stage (buddy) bottles demonstrates poor judgement. As one of my favorite instructors would put it, they are a DGIT (dead guy in training).

Dave

[gianaameri]

I think there's a time and a place for solo diving. However, attempting to dive alone in a cave without a solid 100 dives post Full Cave/Deco training and proficiency in managing stage (buddy) bottles demonstrates poor judgement. As one of my favorite instructors would put it, they are a DGIT (dead guy in training).

Dave

I honestly do not think you can put a number (i.e. 100 dives...).

Some people may never be able to do it. Some may be able to start sooner than others.

It is very much driven by the bottom, rather than by the top (brain).

Your bottom will let you know if you are ready or not!

[a64pilot]

I honestly do not think you can put a number (i.e. 100 dives...).

Some people may never be able to do it. Some may be able to start sooner than others.

It is very much driven by the bottom, rather than by the top (brain).



Your bottom will let you know if you are ready or not!

I agree, plus there are other mitigating circumstances, for instance you may have your 100 dives and decide to go solo, but in a cave you've never been in before. That may be more dangerous than beginning your solo diving as a cavern dive in JB, assuming you have been in there many, many times, just your going by yourself this time.