Californian dead - Key Largo, Florida

[DandyDon]

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/05/28/diver-out-air-dies-florida-shore/

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/AP) — A man visiting from California has drowned while diving off the coast of Key Largo.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says that 56-year-old Dimitry Altschuller was on his second dive during an excursion off Key Largo, Florida on Friday when he apparently ran out of air.

Altschuller’s dive partner shared his air and they managed to reach the water’s surface.

But authorities say Atschuller appeared to panic, became unconscious and stopped breathing.

A state wildlife vessel arrived and took Atschuller to shore.

The sheriff’s office said in a statement that he was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

[drrich2]

I wonder if they were diving a reef (mostly shallow) or a deep wreck dive?

It's interesting that he made it to the surface, accompanied by a buddy who provided air, and I infer that he was conscious when he reached the surface (but can't be certain from what I read).

If that's the case, what made him actually pass out? Was it some acute medical event (e.g.: heart attack)?

People often look forward to autopsies for answers, but I wonder how often they definitively (and accurately) give a cause more useful than 'drowning.'

Richard.

 

[wgw04024]

Jeez it's been a busy couple of weeks in this forum. Ugh...

I agree with drrich2, I'd very much like to hear more info on how this transpired at the top. Don't drop your guard till you're sitting on the deck.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Jeez it's been a busy couple of weeks in this forum. Ugh...

I agree with drrich2, I'd very much like to hear more info on how this transpired at the top. Don't drop your guard till you're sitting on the deck.

Not even sure about then. After a diving event it seems to me monitoring and a checkup are a good plan!

 

[DandyDon]

I wonder if they were diving a reef (mostly shallow) or a deep wreck dive?

It's interesting that he made it to the surface, accompanied by a buddy who provided air, and I infer that he was conscious when he reached the surface (but can't be certain from what I read).

If that's the case, what made him actually pass out? Was it some acute medical event (e.g.: heart attack)?

People often look forward to autopsies for answers, but I wonder how often they definitively (and accurately) give a cause more useful than 'drowning.'

Richard.

I know. No more than the news article gave, it's impossible to know. I fear the buddy may feel bad after his save, but it sounds like he was heroic enough to save a diver who failed to watch his air. Having been dumb enough to fail at that myself before I could be more critical, but since he died - ok, sorry.

This "But authorities say Atschuller appeared to panic, became unconscious and stopped breathing" really leaves me wondering. I guess it's difficult for a news reporter on a phone to ask for more details from survivors dealing with the shock of such a tragedy.

 

[Steelyeyes]

Sound like he almost made it. Damn.

 

[The Chairman]

People often look forward to autopsies for answers, but I wonder how often they definitively (and accurately) give a cause more useful than 'drowning.'

Most of the people who die in the Keys are tourists and many are divers over 50. It sounds like a stroke or heart attack with running out of air as the precipitator.