Posted by AADIVER on February 07, 2001 at 14:23:27:
In Reply to: Re: Solo Diving posted by MHK on February 07, 2001 at 12:00:37:
You're right, Mike, the fatality was not a solo issue. As an independent, aka solo, diver myself, I have not, would not, will not ever claim that my style of diving is safer than diving with a buddy because it's not.
In Mia's case I believe she became the victim of overconfidence. Diving deeper than 60 fsw on a single tank and going into deco, running low on air, packing 40 lbs of lead in a faulty rig is a recipe for disaster solo or with a buddy regardless the degree of experience. And of course buddies have prevented accidents and fatalities many, many times, world-wide. But please let's not use the final verdict on Mia's death as a case against independent diving. As you said, Mike: it was anything but.