Posted by Frank Farmer on September 04, 2000 at 19:20:56:
In Reply to: Re: Criteria for Solo Diving posted by Ken Kurtis on September 01, 2000 at 19:15:04:
Ken, I gotta jump in here:
Bottom line: THE BUDDY SYSTEM IS LEAST EFFECTIVE FOR DIVERS THAT NEED IT THE MOST; NOVICE BEGINNERS. These eager folks are almost totally focused on their own equipment and situation to be of any assistance to a buddy in trouble. The buddy system began in military and commercial diving. Buddy teams were necessary to complete tasks, they weren't created for mutual safety. Sport diving assumed the buddy team system to pacify insurance companies.
The "Criteria for Solo Diving" should be based entirely on a diver's self-reliant skill level and personal preference, i.e., u/w photographers. DAN statistics are of little use. There are more injuries and fatalities in buddy team situations than solo situations for the simple reason there are many more buddy teams diving than solo divers.
So, Ken, we're on the same page in this so-called controversy. Just wish we could agree on Nitrox!
Frank Farmer
www.members.home.net/aa-diver