Accident on Southern Cal Oil Rigs Dive

[undrwater]

I made sure not to speculate... I just reported what I saw when someone mentioned oxygen toxicity. At this point a lot can be said since the diver was identified, someone even posted a picture of him before the fatal dive (how ironic is that). You should see the speculation opportunities on that page. I am with you on refraining from speculation when 100 things could be wrong and there is nothing below you.

Where was the diver identified?

 

[forzaNYC]

Where was the diver identified?

On Power Scuba's facebook page: Power Scuba (aka Scuba Diving in San Diego County )

I was actually in town for a long weekend on Saturday and did some boat dives with Catalina Divers Supply. Was a great day, although the mood was obviously somber on the ride back to port as we had got wind of this incident over the radio. My deepest condolences to everyone who knew this diver, who by all accounts sounds like a great dude.

 

[dberry]

I did the oil rigs dives 2 weeks ago. I am nowhere near calling myself an experienced diver but I do have a fair bit of experience diving weekly in California and off boats here where, as @vladodessit mentioned, you need to be pretty much self sufficient and have your s**t together. The reason I mention this is because even with all that being said, these were extremely challenging dives for me.
<snip snip>

Thanks, @elgoog for the detailed description of your dive. I had heard the oil rigs were reasonably advanced diving, but there's nothing like a first hand report to give perspective. I casually considered diving one when I was in San Diego 18 months ago, but ended up on a fun and easy trip to Los Coranados instead. If I go back I'll make a point of doing a lot more prep and research before hopping on a boat to a platform.

 

[Hatul]

Awful lot of speculation in those two sentences based on limited (at best) information. Let's discuss but avoid speculation as posting speculatively leads to someone taking it as fact and it spirals out of control.

Hi Ken,
As I stated in my post it is speculation but also based on second hand reports of the diver possibly using Nitrox, diving at a depth of some 130+ feet, and appearing unconscious with reg spit out. It fits the picture of O2 toxicity seizure. We will know with more certainty when other causes such as CO poisoning, or underlying medical issues are rules out.
Adam

 

[Safediversocal]

Having known this diver personally there’s so many questions we want answered. He joined that charter since the boat dives are so cheap. It’s why most people join that club. That club has a reputation and much as it’s leader likes to have his minions sway people to think otherwise. When details were first being released, we knew he didn’t weigh 200#. Knowing that he was such a careful diver we didn’t want to believe it was him. He was well known for staying well above his mod. On deeper dives he would be well above his buddies even if there was a critter he hadn’t seen. He would rather see the picture later than risk the extra few feet. The ROV photos confirmed he as always was on nitrox. I hope that the unbiased facts from the L.A County Sheriffs investigation will bring what happened to light.

 

[Buoy_A]

Having known this diver personally there’s so many questions we want answered. He joined that charter since the boat dives are so cheap. It’s why most people join that club. That club has a reputation and much as it’s leader likes to have his minions sway people to think otherwise. When details were first being released, we knew he didn’t weigh 200#. Knowing that he was such a careful diver we didn’t want to believe it was him. He was well known for staying well above his mod. On deeper dives he would be well above his buddies even if there was a critter he hadn’t seen. He would rather see the picture later than risk the extra few feet. The ROV photos confirmed he as always was on nitrox. I hope that the unbiased facts from the L.A County Sheriffs investigation will bring what happened to light.

Can you elaborate on how ROV photos can confirm someone was diving Nitrox?

 

[Marie13]

Can you elaborate on how ROV photos can confirm someone was diving Nitrox?

I'm guessing probably the deceased diver's tank(s) had the big nitrox stickers on them.

 

[forzaNYC]

Indeed. You can see it in the bottom right-hand photo on SEB's twitter: SEB on Twitter

 

[undrwater]

The stickers don't necessarily indicate the gas in the cylinder.

 

[Trailboss123]

The stickers don't necessarily indicate the gas in the cylinder.

Very true. I have big stickers on my HP 120's and they as often contain 21% as they do a richer mix.