Error a death off Ulua Beach, Maui, has me wondering about scuba safety

[cvdwrites]

Has anyone heard anything about the death of Henry Frantz Jr. in March while on a group dive off Ulua Beach, Maui? My understanding is that he complained of exhaustion, then drifted away from his group, and was discovered floating in a cove and could not be revived. I haven't heard which dive shop or charter company took him out that day—does anyone know? And I'm curious as to how this kind of thing can happen with a group. Wouldn't he be required to dive with a buddy, and maybe use a sausage to indicate his whereabouts?
Also: Is there not an agency or regulatory body in the US that makes sure dive guides know what they're doing, and holds them accountable when something goes wrong?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Has anyone heard anything about the death of Henry Frantz Jr. in March while on a group dive off Ulua Beach, Maui? My understanding is that he complained of exhaustion, then drifted away from his group, and was discovered floating in a cove and could not be revived. I haven't heard which dive shop or charter company took him out that day—does anyone know? And I'm curious as to how this kind of thing can happen with a group. Wouldn't he be required to dive with a buddy, and maybe use a sausage to indicate his whereabouts?

Are you connected at all with the Maui Mantas FB group?

Also: Is there not an agency or regulatory body in the US that makes sure dive guides know what they're doing, and holds them accountable when something goes wrong?

No.

 

[cvdwrites]

Are you connected at all with the Maui Mantas FB group?

No.

I hadn't heard of the Maui Mantas group but will reach out. Thank you!

If there's a death, do companies just keep operating? Can they be fined or suspended by ... someone? It just seems so bananas to me that no one is regulating or rating this industry.

 

[BRT]

I hadn't heard of the Maui Mantas group but will reach out. Thank you!

If there's a death, do companies just keep operating? Can they be fined or suspended by ... someone? It just seems so bananas to me that no one is regulating or rating this industry.

I hope is stays that way. I am not in favor of scuba police. Really it is worse than that. We would have regular police enforcing rules that they had no experience with.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I hadn't heard of the Maui Mantas group but will reach out. Thank you!

They are a great group.

If there's a death, do companies just keep operating? Can they be fined or suspended by ... someone?

For guiding, never heard of it.

 

[Mike_4635]

I hate to say it, but individuals are responsible for their own safety first. There are times to call a dive, either before or during the dive. While a company may have an individual(s) in the water with the group, they may or may not be a dive master or instructor. On all the dive operations I have used have me read and sign a liability waiver. Even when taking a class I have to sign a waiver, but only if the instructor is negligent might they be held responsible and likely in civil court. Scuba has it’s risks just like other activities

 

[NorCalDM]

I second that the individual diver is responsible for there own safety. The guide is just that a guide and there to show me a dive site that I 'm unfamiliar with, if you are not up for the dive don't do it. A diver needs to be confident enough in their skills to complete dives on their own and not rely on someone else for their safety. Buddy diving is great if your buddy can actually help if needed but if they can't then you are diving solo. I consider every dive a solo dive even if I'm with a buddy or not. We dive in Hawaii several time a years and many operators let you dive your dive and won't bother you as long as you are back on the boat when expected.

 

[cvdwrites]

Thanks for all of this. Some of you mention "agencies" that receive fees or could conceivably shut a dive guide down. What are these agencies? Or are we just talking about law enforcement?

Have you done any dives at Ulua Beach? I hear they're good for beginners--another reason it's odd an experienced diver died there, apparently.

 

[inquis]

Have you done any dives at Ulua Beach? I hear they're good for beginners--another reason it's odd an experienced diver died there, apparently.

Conditions are typically very tame there. I suspect the diver had a medical issue.

 

[Mike_4635]

Agencies normally refer to groups associated with scuba certification like PADI, SSI. They provide the training requirements from open water through dive master, instructor, course director. A dive operation is normally associated with at least one or more group.