This is what I got out of the article.
When the diver was found, he did not have positive bouyancy established (was found underwater)
BC was not inflated, Weight was not dropped. At least one would keep the diver at the surface (this is not speculation, the diver was found underwater, and a PSD did say that he still had his weight belt). The diver failed to do those functions at the surface. It is not uncommon for a BC to fail, but a weight belt? I guess it's possible, but both? If both failed than God wanted him real bad and probably would strike anybody down with lightning that tried to save him.
This leads me to only two possible deductions (educated speculations).
1) the diver was unresponsive or became unresponsive before he could establish bouyancy (3-10 seconds), and slipped back underwater shortly after. There would be very little time for a succesful surface rescue (there are situations where the diver would be at the surface slightly longer)
2) the diver panicked and failed to establish bouyancy. In which case it is very likely he was not as experienced as the article claims and should not be diving the SG in those conditions (4-7 ft waves and high current)
Could the capitan throw a line to a diver at the wrong bouy (I will guess) 30 ft away? (sure) Would the throw be accurate in 4-7 ft waves to a target 6 inches high?(probably not) Would it do any good if the diver was unresponsive or panicked?(probably not) Should the capitan waste the time with a line or just get on the way to pick-up the diver. Would the capitan be able to help the diver if he would cut the anchor line, start the engine with other divers in the water, and rush to pull him out? (maby) Would it be safe for the other divers in the water? (NO) Would he be called irresponsible on ScubaBoard if one of the other divers got hurt by the boat? (no comment) Should the capitan send other divers to look for him without a new dive plan and unprepared equipment for a new dive to 100ft + and 4-7 ft waves with high current? (NO) Would it take longer than 5 minutes for the divers to prepare for the dive? (YES) Do we expect recreational divers to be qualified for a rescue dive like that? (I don't) Would the victim diver have any chance of surviving after being underwater for more than 5 minutes? (not likely, but it has happened in the past)
IMHO the capitan should have made sure that other divers were safe, untie the boat, drift away from the dive site, start the engine/s and than look for the diver. From the news articles it seems that thats what he did. No blame here.
On a side note, I have a cabin cruiser on lake Michigan and the worst I have been in is 6-9 ft waves. Slow speed maneuvering is not to precise in 4-7 ft waves while trying to go cross current. And it takes me more than 1 minute just to vent the engine compartment before I start the engine.
When the diver was found, he did not have positive bouyancy established (was found underwater)
BC was not inflated, Weight was not dropped. At least one would keep the diver at the surface (this is not speculation, the diver was found underwater, and a PSD did say that he still had his weight belt). The diver failed to do those functions at the surface. It is not uncommon for a BC to fail, but a weight belt? I guess it's possible, but both? If both failed than God wanted him real bad and probably would strike anybody down with lightning that tried to save him.
This leads me to only two possible deductions (educated speculations).
1) the diver was unresponsive or became unresponsive before he could establish bouyancy (3-10 seconds), and slipped back underwater shortly after. There would be very little time for a succesful surface rescue (there are situations where the diver would be at the surface slightly longer)
2) the diver panicked and failed to establish bouyancy. In which case it is very likely he was not as experienced as the article claims and should not be diving the SG in those conditions (4-7 ft waves and high current)
Could the capitan throw a line to a diver at the wrong bouy (I will guess) 30 ft away? (sure) Would the throw be accurate in 4-7 ft waves to a target 6 inches high?(probably not) Would it do any good if the diver was unresponsive or panicked?(probably not) Should the capitan waste the time with a line or just get on the way to pick-up the diver. Would the capitan be able to help the diver if he would cut the anchor line, start the engine with other divers in the water, and rush to pull him out? (maby) Would it be safe for the other divers in the water? (NO) Would he be called irresponsible on ScubaBoard if one of the other divers got hurt by the boat? (no comment) Should the capitan send other divers to look for him without a new dive plan and unprepared equipment for a new dive to 100ft + and 4-7 ft waves with high current? (NO) Would it take longer than 5 minutes for the divers to prepare for the dive? (YES) Do we expect recreational divers to be qualified for a rescue dive like that? (I don't) Would the victim diver have any chance of surviving after being underwater for more than 5 minutes? (not likely, but it has happened in the past)
IMHO the capitan should have made sure that other divers were safe, untie the boat, drift away from the dive site, start the engine/s and than look for the diver. From the news articles it seems that thats what he did. No blame here.
On a side note, I have a cabin cruiser on lake Michigan and the worst I have been in is 6-9 ft waves. Slow speed maneuvering is not to precise in 4-7 ft waves while trying to go cross current. And it takes me more than 1 minute just to vent the engine compartment before I start the engine.
