You wear a dress?
--

A friend is someone who knows you, understands the essential conflicts in your
thinking, in your morals, and in your philosophy, and likes you anyway.

LouVallone@bigfoot.com> wrote:

Thanks Lou

I think it was because no one knew they were missing, since father & son
hand told anyone they were going diving.

Dennis

It was an interesting afternoon.

Walt Stark was the instructor. He spent some time going over my log books (I
have several hundred solo dives logged in them - I brought with me the ones
from previous Bonaire trips.)

We spent time discussing the reasons and circumstances appropriate for solo
dives (he had a pre printed syllabus). We also discussed various gear
requirements for the endeavor. This "instructional" part was informal, peer
to peer dialogue more than lecture and took a couple of hours. I had
previously read (can't remember the author's name at the moment) the book
"Solo Diving" and we discussed that. We also traded horror stories about
buddy diving experiences we had each had.

Two dives are required. For the first one, he became an observer for the
most part as I assembled my gear and stated my dive plan. He then followed
me through an 80 minute shore dive at La Machaca reef during which I did
basic skill things like doff and don, mask flood, etc. He would take note of
the frequency with which I checked gas supply, depth, time and so on. He
watched my general demeanor, buoyancy, trim, awareness of environment and
general comfort and handling of myself underwater. We hit a max depth of
about 75 fsw. (FYI, I dove 32% Nitrox on an air computer.)

During the surface interval, we talked about some of things we saw on the
dive and had just general conversation that two divers would have about a
dive.

For the second dive, he outlined before we entered the water what I would
have to demonstrate as the skills for the solo dive cert:

1. Simulate an out of gas situation at 60 fsw by removing my primary
regulator from my mouth.

2. Switch to my independent gas delivery system - which in my case on this
dive was a  3 cu f Spare Air.

3. Ascend to the surface at a rate no faster than 60 feet per minute (no
safety stop planned).

4. At the surface, orally inflate my BC.

5. Orally inflate and wave my surface signaling device: an 3' orange
sausage.

6. Activate my audible surface signaling device: a whistle.

7. Take a heading with my compass to ascertain my shore exit point.

8. Surface swim to the exit point - which I choose to do on my back instead
of with a snorkel.  Exit the water and disassemble and store the gear.

After we exited, we discussed my level of comfort with the exercises. He
gave his opinion of how well I executed them and he declared that I had
passed the course. He provided me with some waiver forms from SDI that I can
give to operations if they wish to have them on file if I dive solo with
them.

During the rest of my stay there, we spent some time together.

By the time I returned home, my card had already arrived in the mail.

It is considered, by SDI at least, a technical cert, and the cost was $200
US. I used all of my own equipment, but the pony, the surface signaling
device and air would have been provided as part of the course had I wished.
Also, I was on an unlimited shore dive package there, but the two dives are
part of the course cost.

I did not really learn a great deal that I did not already know, but it is
always good to have positive reinforcement and to be critiqued by a
knowledgeable person to insure that I have not taken on any bad techniques.

Short version: I wanted the card, I got it. For me, it was a worthwhile
endeavor. YMMV.

Maybe Bob Ling could disenlighten us?