Unknown Coasties searching for missing diver - Pompano Beach, Florida

[DanBMW]

It's just stupidly simple...Turn on the air, breathe. Some SCUBA divers fail this simple task.

I'm splitting hairs, but it is a bit more complicated that this. You must verify that the air is on by one simple check and that involves three deep breaths. No one touches your bottle afterwards.

 

[The Chairman]

I'm splitting hairs, but it is a bit more complicated that this. You must verify that the air is on by one simple check and that involves three deep breaths. No one touches your bottle afterwards.

While watching your SPG.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

When they were introduced, I thought the Vindicator valves with the green and red rings were gimmicky, but I have since switched all of our tanks to these valves. Merry and I glance at each other when we're gearing up to confirm our valves are fully open before standing up.

 

[tekkydiver]

is 6ft seas normal operating conditions for boats from pompano? or is it rougher than average that conditions may have factored in?

Dive boats operate on very narrow margins.... I'll let you take it from there

 

[tekkydiver]

I think @MrChen has provided the best insight we can expect so far as relayed to him by a dive buddy on the boat with the incident.

So the best info on this is heresay??

 

[boulderjohn]

So the best info on this is heresay??

Yes, and I would say the implication is correct--we do not have reliable information for what happened. The victim's mother has said that the story we had was inaccurate, but so far we have nothing we can rely on.

 

[lowwall]

All we do know is the victim went into the water, couldn't breathe and couldn't get to or maybe keep on the surface. Thus all the talk about balanced rigs, open valves and predive reg checks.

 

[lowwall]

While watching your SPG.

I use a mechanical SPG and watch it during my predive reg check. This let's me know if the valve is closed. But also if it's only open the dreaded 1/4 turn, or otherwise badly obstructed (e.g., clogged sintered filter) by the size of the pressure drop and speed it returns.

Can you see the latter with an AI SPG?

 

[dmaziuk]

I use a mechanical SPG and watch it during my predive reg check. This let's me know if the valve is closed. But also if it's only open the dreaded 1/4 turn, or otherwise badly obstructed (e.g., clogged sintered filter) by the size of the pressure drop and speed it returns.

Can you see the latter with an AI SPG?

It would depend on the computer's sampling rate: under normal circumstances it doesn't have to be high so the default could be dialed down to save the battery. The 2-3 quick puffs I usually do could take less than 30 seconds so maybe not.

 

[TMurrr]

All we do know is the victim went into the water, couldn't breathe and couldn't get to or maybe keep on the surface. Thus all the talk about balanced rigs, open valves and predive reg checks.

and multiple firsthand accounts of poor conditions, 6-7ft seas etc