Posted by Eins on March 12, 2001 at 21:05:56:
In Reply to: Here's the Solo Diving requirements posted by MHK on March 12, 2001 at 12:35:51:
I read the SSI syllabus. And I’m surprised how well thought out it is.
100 logged dives as a requirement makes sense, and in this case, we’re not talking about green peas.
The major joke for me is the implied statement, that without their solo cert, a diver is not allowed to dive solo. Yeah, right!
Nevertheless, I think, the material they intend to teach is good learning to be a better, more responsible diver, solo or not. To see that, all it takes is an open mind. My other major concern is that the class should not lead to a “solo” diver cert, because that will make many divers feel invincible. It would be better to call it something like advanced self-sufficiency training (not a cert).
Eins
PS: My position on solo: I fully agree that diving with an experienced and attentive buddy is safer than solo. However, I do dive solo on occasion where the (shallow) dive site does not carry any significant risk of entanglement and when a buddy is not available.