I think that it's time for the big guys (NAUI & PADI) to start offering a formalized solo-diving certification.

ScubaDiving.com has an excellent article (about 10 years old) about solo diving entitled, 'Solo Certification:  It's Time'.  The article dicusses how the buddy system is a holdover from swimming and lifeguarding days, the advantages of solo diving and how the buddy system can put divers at a disadvantage.  The artilce includes an interview by David Taylor with Brian Carney, Training Manager, Scuba Diving International.
 

Well, after two weeks, my rescue diver certification class is complete.  I am happy to say that at the lake, I probably only personally killed one person, and was only killed once myself.  My scene management got high marks, but I probably need to be a little more cautious on my rescue attempts so that I don't end up as a victim.

I would highly recomend a rescue diver course to anyone with more than a few dives under their belt.  This class was informative and quite fun, if you go in knowing that they will harp on everything you do wrong.  That's all part of the class, so there's no need to take it personally.  I really enjoyed myself, and learned more about what I don't know than I actually learned from the class (if that makes any sense).  I know now that I have to continue practicing my skills and using my head for more than just a place to store my mask.

I really enjoyed the instruction at ScubaToys.  I'm told that they have a class once/month if there are at least 4 people signed up.  Less than that is too much of a beating.

Special thanks to the staff, Mac (Greg), John, Greg (the other one), Steel, and the trainee, Marty.

Very special thanks to my buddies and classmates, Ron, Ken, and Phil, oh, and you too, Kieth.

Apologies to anyone I scratched, bruised, drowned, or left widowed.

What a great weekend.