Canadian woman lost - Puerto Vallarta. Mexico

[Dan]

Yes, according to this Canadian web site (and other sources) she was accompanied by her son:

Search called off for Vernon woman missing after dive in Mexico: family | Globalnews.ca

Thanks for the link.

According to the article:
“Gloria Miller and her son obtained their diving certifications in Vernon before travelling to Puerto Vallarta for an exciting diving excursion.

The pair were participating in their their first dive at Los Arcos, a popular snorkel and dive location in the Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta on the morning of Feb. 15.

They were diving with a well known reputable company Banderas Scuba Republic (BSR) according to Miller’s husband, David Chambers.

Chambers said Miller had equipment issues near the end of the group’s dive and headed to the surface under the direction and guidance of the Dive Master.

He said that as a result of miscommunication and “numerous extraordinary circumstances,” Miller was separated from the group and never found.”

It seems a buddy system was not followed. This buddy system would become more important when “equipment issues” arises, especially for new diver, who is task loaded for just doing the dive with no equipment issue, new to the area, may not fully equipped (trained) with safety device, etc. That’s what buddy system is designed for.

I’m not sure what “equipment issues” she was having problem with. Regardless, her buddy should be with her.

What does “numerous extraordinary circumstances” mean?

 

[KevinNM]

What I learn from this is that if you have a problem and the DM brings you up, don’t let the DM dive again until you make contact with the boat and either the boat is on the way to you or acknowledges you’re swimming to it.

There have been numerous issues where a diver decided to end the dive early, ascended to the surface (or was heading to the surface) in control and with no noticeable issues and yet ended up never making it out of the water alive. So making sure the diver actually gets out of the water seems wise. Starts climbing the steps out of the water or the boat crew is interacting with them.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

If you read this forum, you will find many, many instances where a diver had to surface due to either gear or OOA problems or generally signalling they were not comfortable. In these cases, the diver signalled they were OK to ascend, or actually were escorted either to the safety stop or surface, and then left for the boat to pick them up. They were later found dead on the bottom, or never found at all.

It seems evident, with this knowledge, that if there is any problem that causes a diver to surface before the planned dive time, that diver should be constantly escorted until they are out of the water. You are just at much at risk at the safety stop, or even on the surface, as you are at depth and any diving problem should be treated as serious until the diver is out of the water, or at a minimum in the actual custody of the boat's personnel (ie, on the ladder, or being assisted at the platform, but in any case with a person on the boat having "hands" (not just "eyes") on the diver.

And yes, this means disregarding the diver's signal that they are "OK" to either make the ascent or be left alone. It is never "OK" to leave a diver alone once the diver has had an issue. If they have had to surface unexpectedly, there is a problem.

That should mean that a buddy accompanies the diver. It also would usually mean the dive is over for the buddy as well, or else that diver will then be left alone to descend, find the group, and still be without any buddy, also a bad situation.

If the buddy is absent for some reason and the DM has to escort the diver up, then the DM must stay with the diver, even if the group has to "wait' below, or the dive as to be aborted because it was deep or otherwise challenging and it is not safe to leave the group below. In that case, of course, the group would be rightfully pissed at the buddy, but no diver who has had to surface unexpectedly should ever be left alone.

This is not assign "fault" in this case, but only to present what I personally believe should be standard procedure.

 

[DandyDon]

If you read this forum, you will find many, many instances where a diver had to surface due to either gear or OOA problems or generally signalling they were not comfortable. In these cases, the diver signalled they were OK to ascend, or actually were escorted either to the safety stop or surface, and then left for the boat to pick them up. They were later found dead on the bottom, or never found at all.

Yep, the lady and her son as brand new divers and new to the location should have hired a private DM for the first day of diving - and the lady and her son ascended together as supervised buddies. The private DM suggestion is simply not offered enough, IMO.

I can only imagine how horrible the son must feel and what all he's been thru, and I'm sure the hubby who didn't go has been thru similar for not going.

 

[boulderjohn]

Yep, the lady and her son as brand new divers and new to the location should have hired a private DM for the first day of diving - and the lady and her son ascended together as supervised buddies. The private DM suggestion is simply not offered enough, IMO.

Ironically, in another thread, inexperienced divers took that advice and hired a private DM who took them well beyond their agreed upon depth limits, paid no attention when they were low on air, and left them to ascend alone. The consensus of a large portion of the responders on ScubaBoard lay the blame for the problem solely upon the inexperienced divers. They believed that inexperienced divers should have enough experience to know when a DM is leading them into danger, ignore him, and go off on their own.

It is hard for an inexperienced diver reading ScubaBoard to know what to do.

 

[Steelyeyes]

We don't know what we don't know. In my opinion (worth exactly what I charge for it) more experienced people should keep on eye on and guide lesser experienced people to the extent they will allow you. Even if they don't want you to do so, ascending with them and making sure they're OK beats the hell out of wishing you did when they're gone. You'll probably get no thanks for it but you might sleep better.

 

[Bob DBF]

vident, with this knowledge, that if there is any problem that causes a diver to surface before the planned dive time, that diver should be constantly escorted until they are out of the water.

I would extend that to apply to all circumstances. Dive training calls for the use of the buddy system for just these reasons.

Although I usually dive solo, when diving a buddy I insure they are back on the boat or safely on shore even though I have enough gas and will continue the dive solo. And subscribe to @Steelyeyes of watching out for, and helping other divers.



Bob

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

We don't know what we don't know. In my opinion (worth exactly what I charge for it) more experienced people should keep on eye on and guide lesser experienced people to the extent they will allow you. Even if they don't want you to do so, ascending with them and making sure they're OK beats the hell out of wishing you did when they're gone. You'll probably get no thanks for it but you might sleep better.

My only regret is that I can't like this multiple times.

 

[LevyJ]

Was she launched SMB while floating alone or at least the DM gave one to her before descending back to the group below?

I’m sorry, but I don’t know.

 

[Zef]

...They believed that inexperienced divers should have enough experience to know when a DM is leading them into danger, ignore him, and go off on their own.

Umm....there is a huge difference between "go off on their own" and aborting the dive and heading to the surface if/when you think your dive buddy or hired DM is leading you into an increasingly dangerous situation. Every dive training/certification organization for recreational diving teaches that any diver can abort the dive for any reason. If a diver feels/senses/thinks/knows that their partner/DM is leading them into danger then they should abort...to not do so becomes that divers choice and the results of that choice are their responsibility/accountability. Contrary to what you postulate, it is not hard for inexperienced divers to know what to do...follow the basics and standards of the agency under which they were trained and if in doubt head to the O2 rich environment above the surface.

-Z