Solo Diving: When It’s Taught, What You Need,
and Why It’s Controversial
Scuba diving is built on the buddy system. It’s one of the first things new divers learn—never dive alone. And yet, solo diving is taught by some agencies and practiced by experienced divers in specific environments. So what gives? Why do some divers embrace it, and why do others—myself included—strongly reject it?
Let’s unpack the risks, rationale, and requirements behind solo diving, and why many divers still consider it a line that shouldn’t be crossed.
What Is Solo Diving?
Solo diving is exactly what it sounds like: diving without a buddy. That doesn’t just mean being alone underwater for a moment—it means planning and executing the entire dive alone. Some divers frame it as self-reliant or independent diving, often done in predictable conditions or familiar sites.
Agencies like SDI offer a formal Solo Diver course, and PADI has a Self-Reliant Diver program. These courses teach divers how to plan solo dives, manage redundancy, and mitigate the increased risks of not having a buddy.
Where and When Is Solo Diving Practiced?
Solo diving is generally reserved for very experienced divers—often with 100+ logged dives—who have taken specific training and are diving in conditions well within their comfort and skill level. Some dive operators support it, especially in places where solo-trained divers are common. Others prohibit it entirely.
There’s no universal rule or standard. It’s up to the diver, the operator, and the local diving culture. Some divers do it routinely, others won’t touch it, and some are quietly doing it without ever calling it “solo diving.”
What Gear Do Solo Divers Carry?
Without a buddy, you become your own backup. That means carrying redundant versions of everything critical to life support and navigation. Typical solo diving gear includes:
- Redundant air source (pony bottle or sidemount cylinder)
- Second dive computer or bottom timer
- Backup mask
- At least two cutting tools
- Surface signaling devices (DSMB, whistle, mirror)
- Reels or spools for deploying markers or navigating out
Some solo divers go even further, adding PLBs, redundant lights, or extra cylinders, depending on the dive profile.
Why Do Some Divers Choose to Dive Solo?
While solo diving remains controversial, many divers make a case for it—often based on personal experience, not recklessness. Here are some of the most common arguments:
- Unreliable Buddies
Some divers feel safer solo than with inattentive or poorly trained buddies, especially on vacation dives where buddy assignments are random. - Photography and Videography
Photographers often prefer to dive alone so they can take their time, hover motionless, and fully focus on capturing the shot without worrying about a teammate. - Familiar Environments
Divers who frequent the same shore entry, quarry, or reef site argue that they know the layout well and can manage the risks on their own. - Training and Redundancy
Many solo divers emphasize that they aren’t just “going alone”—they’re trained for it, fully redundant, and committed to thoughtful dive planning. - Peace and Solitude
Some genuinely enjoy the calm of diving solo. They describe it as meditative and more immersive, with fewer distractions and a deeper sense of personal connection to the underwater world.
While I disagree with these justifications, they’re not coming from nowhere—they reflect real experiences and real frustrations.
Why Solo Diving Is So Controversial
Despite the structured training and growing acceptance in some circles, solo diving remains one of the most debated practices in recreational scuba. Here’s why:
1. It Rejects the Foundation of Recreational Diving
From Open Water through Rescue, divers are taught that the buddy system is critical for safety. Going solo represents a fundamental shift in mindset.
2. It Reduces Margin for Error
A lost mask, medical issue, entanglement, or simple stress response can escalate rapidly without a teammate to assist, troubleshoot, or call for help.
3. It Sends the Wrong Message
The more visible solo diving becomes, the more likely newer or underprepared divers might attempt it without understanding the stakes—or without proper training and equipment.
My Position: Don’t Do It
Let me be absolutely clear: I am strongly against solo diving, no matter how many mental gymnastics are used to rationalize it. I believe diving is inherently safer—and frankly, more enjoyable—when done with a competent buddy.
No amount of gear replaces a thinking human who can problem-solve in real time. Even elite divers make mistakes. A blown fin strap, a muscle cramp, a surge-related injury—these are manageable when someone else is there. Alone, they can become fatal.
If someone chooses to solo dive, that’s their decision. But I don’t support it, and I think we should be honest about the elevated risks.
If you’re frustrated with unreliable buddies, the solution isn’t to abandon the buddy system—it’s to seek out better dive partners and build trust over time. Self-reliance is a virtue within a team, not a justification for eliminating one.