Scuba diver dies after being found floating at Kurnell, NSW, Australia

[danvolker]

I was on a boat once in Palm Beach, where we think a diver purposely ran OOA to commit suicide....there was a thread about this like 2 years ago....the relevant issue here, is that without any hint that it could have been a suicide....just the fact that a diver died, the first police to begin questioning people on the boat, and to investigate, were the Homicide cops.....
I asked about this at the time, and one of them replied that they had to rule on whether this was a homicide or not, before it could be investigated further--before any other jurisdiction could be considered...
So in Florida, not so different than in the case for this thread!....the part about the Police and procedure...not the Suicide part....As easy as diving is most of the time, any one of us can drown.

 

[lowviz]

...//... It saddened me yesterday though, to again see someone pop into this thread and after not seeing the need to bother reading all of the thread, accuse the buddies who were involved in this horrible event of abandoning Quero, and forcing her to dive as a solo, when folks have pointed out repeatedly that Marcia had a reputation with those who dived with her, of making herself a solo with a camera, and a very tough "buddy" to try being a buddy with.

I'm growing quite weary of your nanny fingerwagging. Who made you the moral voice of SB? So why is it that every aspect of Marcia's behavior is fair game and should be explored, right down to the buoyancy change due to the water in her lungs dead on the bottom face up, while those that were there and know what happened can't even be approached? "Double standards" doesn't even begin to apply... BS on all this trying to learn something. Three people know, they aren't talking. End of story.

 

[gypsyjim]

I'm growing quite weary of your nanny fingerwagging. Who made you the moral voice of SB? So why is it that every aspect of Marcia's behavior is fair game and should be explored, right down to the buoyancy change due to the water in her lungs dead on the bottom face up, while those that were there and know what happened can't even be approached? "Double standards" doesn't even begin to apply... BS on all this trying to learn something. Three people know, they aren't talking. End of story.

So, you know that they know something, even though they, and you were NOT present when Marcia died. Good for you. It must be nice to be clairvoyant like that.
I do not personally care if you are quite weary. Or pissed. Or just a bit confused. If I have done something wrong, then report it to the staff of SB.

As far as I know, the three divers involved are also still waiting for the police to conclude their investigation, and release a report, because none of those divers actually witnessed what happened because Marcia had separated herself from the rest of the group. They are still being asked to testify in the ongoing investigation. Also, much as you seem to have the right to grill anyone and everyone, you are not the inquisition, and no one is obligated to testify in a SB thread just because you want it.

You are still free to post wild speculation if you choose to, just as all of us others are also free to discuss the accident, and/or what others have posted.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

It saddened me yesterday though, to again see someone pop into this thread and after not seeing the need to bother reading all of the thread, accuse the buddies who were involved in this horrible event of abandoning Quero, and forcing her to dive as a solo, when folks have pointed out repeatedly that Marcia had a reputation with those who dived with her, of making herself a solo with a camera, and a very tough "buddy" to try being a buddy with.

Even I am confused, I know you're referencing one of my previous posts, but you have also just validated everything I've said in on sentence. I can only speak for myself, and partially of the buddies I dive with, but someone who dives like that is no one buddy. Who is she there for if someone needed her?????

 

[danvolker]

I am going to post something uncharacteristic for me..at least in the last year.....

I am going to side with the moderators on how they are going to want to handle this issue. While I know they don't like me, a death of someone you are close to eclipses all other issues....I have felt this when I did body recoveries for friends of mine--I know that the RIGHT thing is to take it personally, and the concept of what might seem to be professionalism, is a ludicrous concept that should be tossed out the door for the death of a friend.

In other words....I think the right thing for the moderators to do, is to be steadfast in their protection of the memory of Marcia....No one has the right to spoil the memory of her, or impugn her diving character.
I know most of the members on this board, think it is their right to question things in an accident like this....I would say Scubaboard is Pete's home, the Moderators are his inner circle and were close to Marcia, and they really have a DUTY to the friendship they cherished, to shut down any flak or mean-spirited questioning that ensues. To toss any of us out the door that do not act appropriately.....I think most of us would do the same thing, in their place..

This is NOT a thread for investigating...It should only be a thread for condolences. If you dont get that, you have never lost anyone you really cared about.

 

[DandyDon]

This is NOT a thread for investigating...It should only be a thread for condolences. If you dont get that, you have never lost anyone you really cared about.

I don't know about the rest of your post, but the condolences thread is in the Passings forum. Please visit.

 

[D_B]

I'll point out that this IS the thread for investigating ... the thread for condolences is elsewhere

respectful of her memory is ok, but questioning and exploring possibilities of actions taken, or not taken, is exactly what this forum is for

 

[gypsyjim]

Even I am confused, I know you're referencing one of my previous posts, but you have also just validated everything I've said in on sentence. I can only speak for myself, and partially of the buddies I dive with, but someone who dives like that is no one buddy. Who is she there for if someone needed her?????

Please read back. I know others have said this, but it is important. I realize that there are an awful lot of posts to wade through, but there is a tremendous amount of information that has been released as it became available.

Quero was diving with three other divers, but what has been posted says that she was all over the place with her camera, and not staying with buddies. Just before the accident all 4 divers surfaced in @3 meters of water to determine the best exit point, according to the information posted. At that point Marcia was a ways off from the other divers. It was Marcia who refused to rejoin the entire group for the descent, and swim u/w to the exit, saying she would descend where she was. Shortly after that she was seen swimming past the diver on the rebreather, toward the exit, and not seen gain until she was found on the bottom.

Not in this thread though, is the sort of back story I learned from several divers contacting me off line, to verify that being a buddy with Quero was extremely difficult to do, because she was not particularly interested in maintaining buddy contact while diving. Divers who have spent time with her and friends of hers who have no desire to face a self appointed SB firing squad, have all said that while they highly respected Marcia, and that she was a great, skilled and knowledgeable diver, they had all quit diving with her, or were quite uncomfortable diving with her because she refused to maintain buddy contact underwater.

So, in answer to your question, yes, I too feel that good buddy team protocol might have turned whatever accident occurred into just another minor problem on a dive, into this horrible fatality.
No one can be a good buddy to someone who refuses to also be a good buddy, and who will not accept suggestions from less knowledgeable or experienced divers.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Is it time now to review the lessons learned?
I'll start.

1. If diving in a buddy team, it's imperative to keep with the team.
2. You become a solo diver as soon as you separate from the team.
3. No matter how well liked/respected/experienced you are as a diver, you cannot break these rules.

 

[gypsyjim]

I'll point out that this IS the thread for investigating ... the thread for condolences is elsewhere

respectful of her memory is ok, but questioning and exploring possibilities of actions taken, or not taken, is exactly what this forum is for

there is a thread for the condolences:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/passings/467334-rip-quero.html