Sorry for the delay. I'm traveling on the road and the last place I stopped I couldn't get data access.
Here is what I know of the situation. You can take it however you want. I am not going to cite direct sources, (there are multiple sources corroborating the same information) so if that causes you to dismiss what I am sharing, so be it. Suffice it to say; what Kevin shared early on is mostly correct. Additionally, one of the divers involved has shared with several people about what took place. It is my understanding that his story of the events has not changed, nor has he been withholding details to save face.
At this point, the chance of getting a first hand / legitimate buddy account regarding this dive is slim considering the shop owner is in no position to, nor will she be any time soon. The diver involved who showed up here and posted the reason this took place was simply due to a extreme down current, is false, and what he may say lacks credibility now IMO. The DM who is also hospitalized and still battling paralysis is not a visitor of internet forums and is unlikely to have someone help him give a detailed first had account at least until his treatments are resolved.
As I have previously mentioned, I am not posting any of this to embarrass or hurt anyone. I’m releasing the information that I know relating to this to:
a) Defend Cozumel as a safe place to dive; and
b) Hopefully reach other divers who might have wild ideas about pushing way past the established limits without the proper training, equipment and planning And show them what can happen if they do.
Some of you have expressed concern and consternation about why some Dive Ops apparently in the know have not been forthcoming with all that they may know. IMO there are probably a number of reasons for this. Firstly, I’d say it is not their responsibility to disclose this information, and generally there may be legal privacy concerns as well. I’m not sure if this applies to non-customer divers but as a business owner myself, I rarely discuss business related matters with those who don’t need to know.
Secondly, there are those online that would most certainly see this release of information by a competing operator as an underhanded jab at another business, essentially throwing them under the bus, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the dive ops on the Island are friendly with each other, and often work together.
I’ve talked to several friends in the industry back in Cozumel and they are all shocked, saddened and upset about what has happened. People do get bent occasionally diving in Cozumel, just like anyplace else on earth, however rarely like this. No matter the circumstances or who it is it hits home for those who live on the Island far greater than those who do not, with the exception of friends and family.
What else? How about if they get any of the information incorrect? They’d be taken to task for it, just as I am sure I will be should anything I am posting turn out to be inaccurate. I also know there has been a concern that disclosure of this information may affect those who may donate to their medical bills. This has given me pause with regard to responding as I am now. I sincerely hope that is not the case. These are good people who simply made some poor decisions. I’m absolutely sure none of them expected this outcome. They most definitely deserve our support.
Back to what everyone really is interested in...
This dive took place on Villa Blanca Wall.
As I previously posted, it is my understanding that this dive’s goal was a deep bounce dive. The planned depth for the three injured divers was 250 - 300 fsw. I cannot confirm the maximum depth reached, however the plan was exceeded substantially. I’ve heard in excess of 400 fsw by multiple people as a max depth but this hasn’t been confirmed by anyone that I know via a dive computer. I believe there is also someone looking into what the max attainable depth is where they were diving, and if it was even possible to reach 400+ in that area. In the end, it really doesn’t matter.. 250-400.. Single tanks, etc.. Bad bad idea.. Is it possible? Sure.. But, it leaves almost no room for error.
In route to their goals, two of the divers leveled off, while the one that is in the most critical condition continued down. When the dive master tried to get her attention, she continued on. The DM then made the decision to go after her while the other diver remained around his planned depth. Upon the return of the two that exceeded the plan, there was a serious enough issue with remaining gas that they decided their only recourse was to make a direct ascent to the surface without making any stops, while sharing air between the three of them.
Once back on the surface they made the decision to switch out their tanks with a second set and try to complete some deco, or what has been calling in-water re-compression. I’ve been told these tanks were filled with air (Not that I believe that Nitrox would have helped all that much at this point) and the depth they returned to was in the 60-70' range. Most likely well above their first stop level depending on how long they were down.
I have also now been told that both of the local divers were using 80's, while the diver who was hurt the least was using an AL100, for those who were asking.
That is pretty much the summary of what I know..
I’m sure everyone is going to have an opinion on this incident and what the trigger factors were… Like most dive accidents, it’s usually not just one thing… Without a doubt I feel narcosis was key factor in what took place. If anyone has experienced narcosis at 100-150, you can go ahead and amplify that significantly in the 200-300’ range on air.. You can be an excellent diver and have bounced down to 200’, 225’ or 250’ previously on air just fine, but you don’t know what your body is going to do when you take it just a little further. In her case she simply kept going…
It really sucks¦ It’s tragic.. It hurts.. And it should!
This should be a warning to anyone who wants to beat their chest and talk about just how deep they have been. (If bragging means that much to anyone, GET TRAINED and equipped for it. I don’t give a flip if you are some gung-ho dive master or instructor with 1000’s of dives... You are just as bad (if not worse) as a non-certified / trained person donning SCUBA gear and jumping in. Ignorance is bliss until it kills or cripples you and breaks your family & friend’s hearts.
David
