5 Ways to Dive Solo Safer: Safety Tips for Solo Spearfishing

Obviously, I will start by saying that the absolute safest way to dive is with a buddy, and my preferred method as well. But for some people diving with a buddy is just not possible, and they are going to dive without a partner regardless. Solo spearfishing carries real risks that you need to take seriously. Here are five tips that will help minimize the danger if you find yourself diving alone.

Choose Your Dive Sites Carefully

The easiest solo safety tip is simply being smart about where and when you choose to dive by yourself. Hazardous conditions, strong currents, and complex bottom structure can create problems that escalate quickly when there's no one around to help. Avoid areas with heavy boat traffic, strong surge, or entanglement hazards like thick kelp or fishing line when diving solo. Stick to spots you know well and conditions you're comfortable in.

Always Use a Float and Dive Flag

Using a float with a dive flag is critical when diving alone. It lets boats know there's a diver in the area even when you're underwater. A float line also gives you a surface reference point, helps manage fish you've shot, and provides something to hold onto during surface intervals. If you get into trouble, a brightly colored float is much easier for rescuers to spot than a diver's head bobbing in the waves.

Cut Your Maximum Depth in Half

My personal rule of thumb when diving alone is to take my maximum comfortable depth and reduce it by half. If I normally dive to 60 feet with a buddy, I keep my solo dives to 30 feet or shallower. This gives you a significant safety margin and reduces the risk of pushing your limits without someone there to watch you. Shallow water blackout is the number one killer in spearfishing, and it's far more dangerous when nobody is watching your ascent.

Reduce Your Bottom Time

Similar to cutting your depth, reduce your bottom time by at least 30 seconds compared to what you'd normally do with a buddy. If I feel comfortable diving for a minute and thirty seconds with a partner watching me, I keep my solo dives around a minute. This shorter bottom time combined with reduced depth creates a double layer of safety margin that significantly lowers your risk of a blackout or dangerous hypoxic event.

Tell Someone Your Plan and Location

This tip is about protecting yourself and giving your loved ones the information they need in case something goes wrong. Before every solo dive, tell someone your expected return time and the exact location where you plan to dive. This way they know where to send help if you don't come back on schedule. Beyond blackouts, plenty of other things can go wrong solo — your boat anchor can come free, your engine can fail, or weather can change suddenly. Having someone onshore who knows your plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety measures you can take.

Solo Diving Is a Calculated Risk

I hope these tips help you minimize the risks of solo spearfishing. But please remember that the absolute best way to protect yourself is to have a strong, competent buddy spotting you while you dive. If you must go alone, be disciplined, conservative, and always plan for the worst-case scenario. For more spearfishing safety tips and diving advice, visit SpearFactor.com.