Enough Said

by

Larry "Harris" Taylor, Ph.D. 

This material is copyrighted and all rights retained by the author. This article is made available as a service to the diving community by the author. This article may be distributed for any non-commercial or Not-For-Profit application.

All Rights Reserved.   

Go To:     Home     About "Harris"     Articles     War Stories      Editorials     Links      Fini

The subject of solo diving has been controversial for several decades. In one debate several divers were discussing the absurdity of a C-card for solo diving ... as if a piece of plastic could magically convey self-reliance, sound judgment,  appropriate equipment, legal compliance, environmental awareness, and in-water comfort. Many consider the solo diving card as nothing more than a source of revenue (for training and extra equipment).  What follows is the best comment I have ever heard on the topic of readiness for solo diving. This exchange was between a professional underwater photographer and a diver considering diving solo.

Photographer: "In your last 500 dives, have you had to rescue anyone?"

Diver: "Yes, many times."

Photographer: "In your last 500 dives, have you had to be rescued?"

Diver: "No."

Photographer: "Enough Said!"  Enjoy your diving.

Bottom Line: There are many factors such as availability of a qualified dive buddy, in-water experience and comfort, redundant dive equipment, state laws, and local dive site conditions that should be evaluated before choosing to dive solo. A  piece of plastic (Solo C-card) seems to be the least relevant item in deciding to dive alone.

Top

Go To:     Home     About "Harris"     Articles     War Stories      Editorials     Links      Fini

 About The Author:  

Larry "Harris" Taylor, Ph.D. is a biochemist and Diving Safety Coordinator at the University of Michigan. He has authored more than 200 scuba related articles. His personal dive library (See Alert Diver, Mar/Apr, 1997, p. 54) is considered one of the best recreational sources of information In North America.

  Copyright 2001-2024 by Larry "Harris" Taylor

All rights reserved.

Use of these articles for personal or organizational profit is specifically denied.

These articles may be used for not-for-profit diving education