In years past, Blue Grotto allowed recreational divers to dive alone if they had a Solo Diver card from a recognized diver training organization. Effective immediately, however, we are changing that policy. Divers must now have at least one buddy or be part of a class or other organized group.
Why the change? In this article, we’ll explain.
The Why?
Our decision to change policy is based on several factors. Among them:
- It’s a local standard of practice: All other north-central Florida dive sites, including Devil’s Den, Paradise Spring and Ginnie Spring, prohibit solo diving, regardless of certification. Solo diving is also prohibited in Florida state parks. Your Solo Diver card won’t fly at any of these sites.
- Your training doesn’t cover solo diving in caverns: Scuba Diving International (SDI) was the first to offer Solo Diver certification. And even though other agencies have followed suit, the majority of Solo Divers are certified through SDI. SDI does not allow solo diving in caverns, wrecks or under ice. They are emphatic about this. Solo divers must always be able to make a direct ascent to breathable air. You can’t do that in a cavern.
- Too many solo divers fail to follow the rules: The greatest risk in solo diving is being without air. This is why training agencies that offer Solo Diver certification require the use of pony or bailout bottles, sidemount rigs or doubles with an isolation manifold. Too often, however, we’ve seen people who have checked in as solo divers get in the water without this vital equipment.
- It sets a poor example: As you know, Blue Grotto is a popular training site for Open Water students. If these beginning divers see someone diving by themselves, their instructors must take time to explain why this might be okay or why the solo diver isn’t following the rules regarding redundant air. They shouldn’t have to do this.
The good news
Very few divers show up at Blue Grotto without buddies. Those that do can generally find someone willing to dive with them. Thus, it’s unlikely anyone truly needs to go it alone.
Buddy diving is the norm for recreational divers. It’s what you learned as a beginner. And it’s a standard we follow.