SOLO DIVING AT WHITE STAR
Self Reliant/ Solo diving is allowed at White Star with a Permit
At the start of the 2020 dive season, Sandusky County Parks and Divers Incorporated developed a way for properly certified divers to enjoy the quarry without a buddy. There is now a permit process for any properly certified diver to get permission to scuba dive alone at White Star Quarry.
Please read the rules very carefully and make sure you adhere to them in order to avoid a fine. If you do not follow the guidelines and permit agreements to the letter, it may result in a ticket (fine) from the Park Rangers and loss of this privilege. .
RULES OF SOLO DIVING AT WHITE STAR
- Solo Diving in White Star Park is prohibited unless properly certified.
- A Solo, Self Sufficient or Self-Reliant Scuba Certification is required to solo dive at White Star. Other certifications such as Technical Diver, Instructor, Divemaster, Cave Diver, or Trimix Diver DO NOT QUALIFY AS SOLO DIVING CERTIFICATIONS.
- Solo Diving on a Rebreather is STRICTLY PROHIBITED regardless of the level of certification.
- A permit must be downloaded, printed and filled out completely prior to entering the water. If you do not have this permit printed out you MAY NOT SOLO DIVE.
- The requirements of the permit are Non-Negotiable and must be adhered to as written. Questions can be directed to the scuba concession staff.
- The permit and associated support documents MUST be visible on the dash of your vehicle through the windshield to qualify.
- All solo divers must have a valid Solo, Self Sufficient or Self-Reliant Scuba Certification Card present.
- You must attach your certification card or copy of certification to the permit as indicated.
- The Solo Scuba Diving Permit must be filled out in its entirety and placed on the vehicle dash in such a manner that any Sandusky County Park District employee can view the form from their vehicle.
- The normal White Star Park SCUBA DIVING PERMIT must be filled out along with the solo permit and appropriate fees paid prior to diving.
- The Solo Scuba diver is required to be properly equipped with a redundant breathing gas supply at all times.
- The Solo Scuba Diver must Tow a flag or float that marks the location of the diver during the entire dive.
- Solo diving in the tunnel is strictly prohibited.
- Failure to follow any of the White Star Park scuba diving regulations may result in a fine and loss of further diving privileges at White Star.
THE FINE PRINT
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE PARK RULES. Solo diving is not for everyone and definitely not for those people who have not been trained or equipped to dive as a self-reliant diver. The buddy system has been long established as a safer way to dive for most people. Solo diving at White Star is a privilege that we have worked very hard to attain. There are compromises on both sides. Please do not abuse this privilege since it can be taken away at any time by the actions of a few. Just because you are a good diver does not mean that you are qualified to solo dive.
The rules are simple to adhere to, read them carefully. Invest in a pony bottle system and a high quality regulator system for it. You may have your own opinions of how this should be accomplished but if you are choosing to solo dive at White Star you need to follow the intent of the rules or don't dive solo here. We are excited to be one of the few places that allow qualified divers to solo dive. If you are not yet trained to dive this way, talk to your dive center or instructor and find out how you can earn this certification.
PADI Self-Reliant Diver Course DescriptionFEATURED SOLO INSTRUCTORS AND DIVE CENTERS
These are some of the active educators that use White Star regularly for training who offer a Solo Diving Course.
If you wish to be featured here as a Solo, Self-Reliant or Self-Sufficient Instructor, Please send us your information via the contact page.
Great Lakes Technical Diving
Instructor Rick Kruzel - greatlakestechdiving.com
Divers Incorporated
Instructor Rich Synowiec - diversinc.com
Sea Level Scuba
Instructor Dale Musser - sealevelscuba.net