Customer Reviews

Solo Diving: The Art of Underwater Self-Sufficiency

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This text covers a highly debated topic in diving today - solo diving. The author presents a lot of reasons, justification, and testimony for this practice and makes the reader think about various items such as fitness, limits, and air supply in conducting solo dives.
I am a working divemaster currently assisting in the teaching of a solo diver course in which this book is our primary text, and from my professional opinion it contains a lot of fluff and not enough practical detail. Gear rigging and streamlining is not covered, and I feel that this is an essential item that should be explored in depth for solo diving. Also, no potential underwater problems/solutions are covered, something that should be discussed and trained for. In addition, I believe there are more suitable methods for working with surface air consumption (SAC) rates.
Overall, I think that the book is good for getting divers to think about solo diving but should not be used as a training guide. This is a subject which receives very little publication and much criticism, and I am certain that as the knowledge base grows there will be more informative material published on solo diving.

I purchased this book expecting a book on solo diving techniques and gear requirements. The author seems more interested in making a case for solo diving than teaching solo diving methods. I got more out of the testimonials in the rear of the book than from the author. Very disappointing reading

No new skills or methods are needed to dive solo.
What is needed is a new attitude, one that every
diver should have anyway, even if they never intend
to dive alone. This is what this book is about.
I come from the rock climbing culture where there is
no certification, and virtually all participants realize
-they- are responsible to learn the skills needed to stay
out of trouble. This book is refreshing and honest.
It may save lives by bursting peoples bubble about
the buddy system. Others it will inspire to prepare
themselves to accept the new levels of risk and freedom
in solo diving.

The book was interesting and convinced me that I needed to purchase a redundant air supply, even if I intend to be a "buddy" diver ... perhaps that, alone, was worth the expense.

Despite this, it seemed more like a hastily put together paper more than a book. The interviews at the end of the book seemed more like "filler" & not really necessary.

I purchased this book expecting a book on solo diving techniques and gear requirements. The author seems more interested in making a case for solo diving than teaching solo diving methods. I got more out of the testimonials in the rear of the book than from the author. Very disappointing reading

I bought the book expecting information, specific helpful information, on the subject of diving solo.
What I got was an opinion editorial on the subject instead. Pages and pages of editorial comment with little in the way of helpful technical advice.
I got more out of "Deep Descent" than what this book offers.

Little more than an editorial on why to solo dive
Very useful information on how.

The book was okay for an intro on the idea of diving solo. I was looking for more of a technical book based on experiences of the author. There wasn't much instruction on correct technique, systems that work vs. systems that are not as reliable, how to best set up your gear(by this I mean placement of tools, knives, lights, back up air sources), and other tips to help someone avoid possible catastrophic failure.

The book was written much more in the "idea" of diving solo. It was a book on the philosophy of self reliance (which is fine, but not what I thought it would be) underwater. The ideas presented in this book are good whether diving with a group or diving alone.

"Solo Diving" provides insight and some good advice from the author and a number of experienced solo divers. This is not a certification type book. It definitely has great points on the flaws of buddy diving. It also lays out differences, pros, and cons of redundant air systems and gives a few guidelines to adopt for safe solo diving. Pick it up to read on your next planned deco dive.

If you are a tech diver, then you probably dive alone most of the time. If you have been through a tech diving class, then you have the skills to dive solo. This book is about the reasons that you can be a solo diver. If you expect an instruction book, then you aren't ready for solo diving, attitude or equipment wise.