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SDI

Solo Diver Speciality

Solo Diver Speciality

Regular price £350.00 GBP
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Who is this course for?

The certified Advanced Diver (or equivalent) who is interested in learning how to dive independent of a dive buddy, or looking to strengthen your buddy team diving skills.

Course prerequisites

Minimum age 21.

Certified Advanced Diver or equivalent.

Provide proof of 100 logged dives.

What you can expect to learn

The SDI Solo Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

Why solo dive?

History of buddy diving

Pros and cons of buddy diving and solo diving

Legal liability assumed by buddy diving

How to use the SDI Solo Diving waiver and release

Who must solo dive?

The solo diving mentality

When not to solo dive

Equipment for solo diving

Planning and conducting a solo dive

Navigation

Management of solo diving emergencies

Review the SDI Solo Diver Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Agreement Form

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

200 metres/600 feet surface swim in full scuba equipment, configured for local diving conditions; must be non-stop and performed in an open water environment

Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning

Plan dive limits based on personal air consumption ratePlan exact dive

Properly execute the planned dive within all predetermined limits

Equipment configuration appropriate for solo diving

Proper descent/ascent rates

Proper safety stop procedures

Monitoring of decompression status equipment; tables, computers, equipment, etc.

Navigation skills – demonstrate proficiency of navigation with compass

Demonstrate emergency change over to redundant air supply (not to exceed 30 metres/100 feet)

Deploy surface marker buoy (SMB)

Use of audible signaling device

What's in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of a DNQY Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

The diving activities approximate those of training.

The areas of activities approximate those of training.

Environmental conditions approximate those of training.

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in boat diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the Solo Diver counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the Advanced Diver Development program.

Solo Diver minimum requirements

Satisfactorily complete the SDI Solo Diver Knowledge Quests with a passing score of 80%, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor.

Complete all open water requirements efficiently.

Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.

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At one point or another, many divers have found themselves alone during a dive, whether it was intentional or not. SDI’s Solo Diving is the practice of self reliant scuba diving without a “dive buddy.”Solo diving, once considered technical diving and discouraged by most certification agencies, is now seen by many experienced divers and some certification agencies as an acceptable practice for those divers suitably trained and experienced. Rather than relying on the traditional buddy diving safety system, solo divers should be skilled in self-sufficiency and willing to take responsibility for their own safety while diving.

Being one of SDI’s most popular courses, the Solo Diver course stresses proper dive planning, personal limitations, and accident prevention, as well as the benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for diving solo. You will also learn the additional equipment that is required for solo diving including its proper usage and assembly. This is the perfect course for underwater photography and underwater video divers as well as those diving with their children or buddies that may not be very experienced in scuba diving.

This course is designed to give students a greater understanding and experience on how to properly navigate underwater using both natural and compass navigation.