SDI SOLO Diver
SDI SOLO Diver at a glance
- Prerequisites
- Minimum age 21
- Certified SDI Advanced Diver or equivalent
- Provide proof of 100 logged dives
- online learning included
- 2 Days - 4 dives
- All Course equipment & Diving included
At some point, many divers have found themselves alone during a dive, whether it was intentional or not. Big Blue Tech’s SDI Solo Diving course teaches the practice of self-reliant scuba diving 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 Big Blue Tech’s most popular courses amongst Dive professionals, the SDI 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 the underwater photographer and videographer as well as divers wishing to expand knowledge and comfort while diving.
With SDI Solo Diver online learning, you can complete all of the academics prior to arriving here at Big Blue Tech, the course materials are then available to you at any time after the course allowing you to refresh your SDI SOLO Diver course at any time.
Please note that many dive centres will not allow SOLO diving EVEN if they have trained you and this is the same at Big Blue Tech where we review this on a case by case basis. Many countries have laws that limit or prohibit Independent diving and these should always be respected.
SDI SOLO Diver gallery
Itinerary
Your SDI Solo Diver Course starts with meeting your Big Blue Tech Instructor, grabbing a coffee from our beachside restaurant and settling in for the morning, initially we complete paperwork and review the online academics. Your instructor will discuss all the pertinent points regarding solo diving, including Gas management, equipment failure and how to respond, navigation, how to handle emergencies and the specialised equipment required for deep diving. Following a lunch break it is out on the boat for 2 Training dives.
Dive 1 – Simulated equipment failure training e.g. back up mask deployment, LPI failure, free flow regulator and most importantly deployment of a backup air source.
Dive 2 – Navigation exercises and a simulated solo dive, including dive planning and SMB deployment
Then its back to the restaurant for a debrief and a cold drink whilst enjoying the sunset.
Again with coffee in hand and enjoying the gentle sea breeze your instructor will finish all academics, ensure you have a thorough understand of all aspects of solo diving before you compile your solo sign off dive plans. Following a lunch break we will have 2 dives planned where you will be to all intents and purposes Solo diving (although your instructor may be around!)
Back on land following a debrief you can reflect on your SDI Solo Diver Course and after successful completion have a celebratory drink while watching the sunset.
FAQs
What can I expect to learn about?
Your Big Blue Tech Instructor will take you through:
- Why solo dive?
- History of buddy diving / Pros and cons of buddy diving and solo diving
- When to / when not to solo dive
- The solo diving mentality
- Equipment for solo diving
- Planning and conducting a solo dive
- Navigation
- Management of solo diving emergencies
Will I be able to dive this certification with after the course?
Whilst the SDI SOLO course does certify you to dive SOLO this is not always possible, each and every dive school will have different policies for SOLO diving and in some countries, local laws may prohibit SOLO diving regardless of certification.
At Big Blue we require you to be a dive professional and dive within certain limits regarding depth and time, we also require that you have completed your SOLO certification with us or pay for a day with one of our SOLO instructors.
What's included in the course?
All the required equipment is included in the course:
- All materials and certification costs on successful completion
- SIdemount or Twinset (Regs, Harness & Tanks) if certified OR Pony Tank
- Fins (Students are required to have boots if they wish to use open healed fins)
- Exposure suit
- Back up mask
- Compass
- Back up bottom timer
- SMB
What's Not included?
Divers taking a course at this level should have some of their own primary equipment:
- Mask
- Dive computer
- Wrist slate
- Boots if you wish to use our open heel fins
- Cutting device
The above can be purchased at Big Blue or rented at a low cost during the course.
Are you fit to dive?
Scuba diving is an activity that requires a certain level of physical health. Please read this medical questionnaire. If you can answer yes to any of the questions you may require medical clearance to enroll in a diving course. Contact us for more information.
Can I see the standards for this course?
SOLO Standards
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