SCUBA alone - no buddy?

Question

What do you think about this?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4182003.ece

Answer 1

Diving alone can be dangerous. OK, I accept that tech divers take redundant kit, but they can't take a redundant brain in case they get narc'd.

*waits for flame from tech divers* :o)

Answer 2

To answer both questions.

1. SCUBA alone - no buddy?

Yes, with proper training. I am a technical diver and solo diving is the norm however you  must be properly trained and have proper gear for this. For example gear should be redundant. I dive doubles (2 cylinders) and dive the rule of 3rds. This way if one valve goes, you can isolate and shut down the tank and draw air from the remaining tank. In addition depending on the dive I carry 2 knives, extra mask, 2 lights etc.

Most diving tragedies occur because the diver in trouble panics and thrashes around and both divers end up in trouble.

Buddy diving is preached in most certification agencies (PADI, NAUI...) and should be followed and solo diving is only appropriate with proper technical dive training and gear configuration.

2. What do you think about this [article]?

Fishy, creepy, suspect. I'll not judge on it...will let the authorities do that. I suppose stuff like this can happen.

~Rick