Posted by DonD on September 08, 1999 at 23:16:41:
In Reply to: ok, i have a q... posted by kelphead on September 04, 1999 at 14:13:41:
Your comfort level, both overall and with particular dive sites and conditions.
Personally, as a fairly new diver (34 dives in the last year)I have preferred diving with someone just in case there is an emergency.
However, over the past two months I've dived solo a number of times because buddies were not readily available or, in one recent instance, a new (boat) buddy unexpectedly bailed on me (twice) once in and under the water without letting me know.
This and other circumstances have caused me to reconsider solo diving. I'll still prefer diving with someone, especially those I know and/or whose skills and/or experience I trust or who strive for improvement and demonstrate common diving courtesy. But in those instances where conditions are favorable or the buddy population (especially on boats) does not look favorable, I'll certainly go the solo route. I believe that diving solo is a safer alternative than diving with a reckless or inconsiderate buddy.
At any rate, that's my 2cents.
DonD