Ray provided an excellent discussion of solo diving. Diving is best regulated through diving groups (i.e. Recreation Scuba Training Council) and not the government which will invariably involve political and individual special interests. Beginner and intermediate level divers should always dive with a buddy. However, advanced expert divers should have the choice to dive solo or with a buddy. Clearly, diving with a buddy also has it's risks. Instructors and divemasters are at more risk diving with students (who have kicked masks off, grabbed main regulators etc, dropped below designated depth , etc) than they are diving alone. Similarly, divers who are assigned buddies they do not know, with unknown diving ability, can also be at more risk than if they dove alone. Ray's point regarding certification is also excellent. Obtaining multiple certifications do not guarantee competency. While many of us are experienced offshore divers, most of us have never performed a surf dive (ie California). Our c-cards do not qualify us to do such a dive. It is the diver's responsibility to assess if they are capable of performing the dive, and to not dive if they are unsure. Virtually all diving education associations teach divers to dive in conditions for which they are trained. Virtually all diving education associations teach divers that they are ultimately responsible for their safety. Regarding censorship, Mo has provided an outstanding resource for New Jersey divers. This is her message board, not a governmental or association site. She can do with it what she likes. Tragedies such as this invariably result in emotional reactions, second guessing, etc. However, we should not speculate, but wait until the facts come in.
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