For us who have experienced or regularly dive solo, it is a liberating and very fulfilling experience to dive alone.

There are pros and cons to both buddy diving and to solo diving. Solo diving is certainly not for everyone. But with the right equipment and training there is no reason why you shouldn’t dive by yourself. Many experienced divers prefer it.

Properly trained and executed, both systems, the buddy system or the independent diver can be safe. Many experienced divers however, feel safer diving alone and do not like being buddied up with a diver they don’t know.

Solo Diving Certification

Finally there is a diving association to certify solo diving. The key to solo diving is to be rigorously trained, confident and experienced. Scuba Diving International (SDI): SDI is currently the only Diving Certification Association that offers a Solo Diving Certification course. In order to participate in this course, the following are required:

• Advanced diver certification
• Minimum of 100 logged dives
• Approved diving physical examination

Qualified scuba divers will be certified as solo divers and can pursue independent activities. This certification allows an effective assumption of risk by the solo diver who can now stipulate on a waiver and release of liability that he accepts the legal responsibility for his solo diving and has been formally credentialed by a training agency. This is exactly the legal “out” that most operators want in order to allow solo diving from resorts or live-aboards and to provide a legal posture than can be defended.