Solo Diving Pointers
Dear CDN:
The subject of solo diving is one that has been long over due in the comments department of CDN. I enjoyed reading your input in the January 2000 edition. More talk on this subject is certainly welcome. I feel that a regular input on this subject, including some of the do's and don'ts, along with some experiences to learn from would be welcomed by all divers.
In my 30+ years of diving, solo has become my favorite way to visit the ocean bottom. This is my way of getting away from the pressures of everyday life and having my own quiet time by myself. I even bring home a nice dinner now and then. Our reasons for diving solo are many, but not as important as the skills it takes to do this safely.
Dale, please don't get me wrong. Even though I dive solo most of the time, it's very true that diving alone is not for everyone. I've had my share of heated confrontations with plenty of "self proclaimed" expert golden rule yuppies over the years on this very subject. Funny how most of them still use rented equipment and are still fumbling around with putting their gear on long after I've completed my dives.
One thing is for absolute certain though: the diver must be 100 percent sure of himself and his limitations and know when to draw the line. Without going into too many details, here are a few basic pointers "ALL" divers should understand completely before trying a solo dive.
Dive Site Evaluation - I can't stress this enough. Know your dive site and understand what the conditions are "really" like. Not just some second- hand dive report from someone else.
Know Your Equipment - all of it, and how to use it. Have all adjustments made prior to diving, and make sure it's all in good repair. Have a spare strap and O-ring kit, and be able to make simple field repairs if needed. A lot of small things can, and do, go wrong. Just fix it - no problem. You don't need to be a repair tech, but the more you know the better off you'll be.
Self Rescue Type - Know just what you can "REALLY" do. Be able to get in and out of the water on your own, and possibly help someone else. Keep a calm head and don't panic. Solo means complete self-reliance.
There are so many other factors to consider before diving solo, it is impossible to go over them all right now. The bottom line is that scuba diving is a common sense type of sport. There is no excuse for poor judgment. Experience is the only way one can develop the confidence and skills needed for all diving activities. Educate yourself all you can about the diving scene, and remember King Neptune can sometimes show no mercy!
Mark Byron
Chino, CA
Letters to the Editor:
This comment is directed to Bruce Watkins' informative article "Beginners Guide To Abalone Hunting" (April 200 Issue Vol.17, No. 4). Not to be too much the nit-picker to an otherwise excellent advice to the beginner ab diver, but Bruce is flat out wrong when he says that an ab placed shell side down on the bottom will die because it is unable to right itself. Not only is an ab in the water able to right itself almost immediately, but they will do the same with great dexterity on dry land. I along with my friends have frequently marveled at the strength exhibited by abs who quickly accomplish the feat. Most recently while changing out of our wetsuits, we observed a nine-inch abalone flip itself upright in less than three minutes - with an eight-inch ab fastened to the top of the nine-inch, effectively more than doubling its weight! The ab simply extends its foot downward head first until it contacts a rough surface. The process continues until eventually it has sufficient foot surface coverage to allow it to contract the foot muscle lengthwise and bring its shell right over on top.
Fish and Game rules do prohibit the dropping or discarding of abs in the water by requiring that a detached but not kept abalone must be returned immediately to the same location from which it was taken. This practice minimizes the likelihood that a predator can get at the exposed foot. Also, the rule prevents illegal "dry sacking" - the practice of improving your bag by replacing smaller abs with larger ones. Abs are hemophiliacs and will bleed to death if cut. They frequently are cut by the ab iron during the collecting process, especially by novice divers. Therefore, the fewer abalone subjected to ab irons the less lost by bleeding.
Tell Bruce to keep up the good work. I would dive with him anytime.
Regards,
Thomas E. Bishop
Redwood City, CA
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