Diver Death at Casino Point (Catalina Island) November 6, 2010

[alibi 2]

That was a great test Ken, your right there is more air in the line than you think when you turn on the air and pressurize the lines then turn it off. We always point this out to our new scuba classes. We do an exercise with them where we have them pressurize they're lines then turn off the air, next they breath counting how many breaths they get till they run out of air. The count is usally from 4 to 7 breaths.

I happen to be one of the lucky divers that can go straight to the bottom without ear issues. Years ago I jumped off the bow of a dive boat and was about 20' before trying to take my first breath, only to discover I had my snorkle in my mouth. With luck we live and learn from our mistakes.

Whatever the cause its always tragic to lose a diver, my sympathies to friends and family.

 

[milkmood]

1. Where did you come up with anyone exiting a boat?

2. See Peter Guys post.

3. What does "DC injury" mean? The speculation was air embolism which is referred to a AGE, not DC.

1. Is the Valiant accessible from shore? I assumed it was a boat dive since it was a wreck...never heard of a wreck dive from shore before. New one on me.

2. I can get 3 normal breaths off of a charged reg, that's it. But who would turn their air on then off again?

3. DC injury simply means anything that happens to your body as a result of decompression...an air embolism (caused by lung over expansion) or the bends.

 

[Dive California]

Milkmood...actually the Valiant is accessible from shore...the Dive Park (Casino Point) in Avalon.

 

[DandyDon]

2. I can get 3 normal breaths off of a charged reg, that's it. But who would turn their air on then off again?

I've done it, to check tank pressure, then turn it off to see if the Spg drops. Then I bleed it to avoid going it with it off, thinking it was on.

 

[Rainer]

1. Is the Valiant accessible from shore? I assumed it was a boat dive since it was a wreck...never heard of a wreck dive from shore before. New one on me.

You can hit about 10 wrecks from shore coming from the dive park. I think I've managed nine in one dive.

 

[milkmood]

You can hit about 10 wrecks from shore coming from the dive park. I think I've managed nine in one dive.

I should really get out of Arizona more.

 

[Rainer]

Most are quite small, but still fun. The Valiant is the largest.

 

[Ayisha]

1. Is the Valiant accessible from shore? I assumed it was a boat dive since it was a wreck...never heard of a wreck dive from shore before. New one on me.

2. I can get 3 normal breaths off of a charged reg, that's it. But who would turn their air on then off again?...

California has wreck dives from shore or come to Ontario, Canada. There are many wrecks that are shore dives, both accidentally wrecked or artificially sunk, and well preserved due to fresh water.

It is pretty common practice on long boat rides to set up the gear, turn the air on and check it, then turn it off until it is time to don the gear. Otherwise, the tank o-ring can blow if you leave the valve on for a long time and then it can be dive over if there are no extra tanks or you don't catch it fast enough (seconds).

It is important to purge the regs after you turn the valve off and even more important to watch the pressure as you breathe off it to verify that the valve is mostly or fully open. If the pressure wavers as you inhale, the valve is off or nearly off.

 

[Garth]

California has wreck dives from shore or come to Ontario, Canada. There are many wrecks that are shore dives, both accidentally wrecked or artificially sunk, and well preserved due to fresh water.

It is pretty common practice on long boat rides to set up the gear, turn the air on and check it, then turn it off until it is time to don the gear. Otherwise, the tank o-ring can blow if you leave the valve on for a long time and then it can be dive over if there are no extra tanks or you don't catch it fast enough (seconds).

It is important to purge the regs after you turn the valve off and even more important to watch the pressure as you breathe off it to verify that the valve is mostly or fully open. If the pressure wavers as you inhale, the valve is off or nearly off.

Why is it important to purge your reg after you open you valve?
I usually breath off it a few times while watching my SPg but then again if I go in with my air off I will likely reach back to turn it on. A good skill to have IMO. One that I practice everydive with my manifold drill.

 

[DandyDon]

Why is it important to purge your reg after you open you valve?
I usually breath off it a few times while watching my SPg but then again if I go in with my air off I will likely reach back to turn it on. A good skill to have IMO. One that I practice everydive with my manifold drill.

Good skill to have, also for like when a deck hand sneaks up to check your tank, turns your off then 1/4 turn on - which is why I ask mine be all the way on, so if it's all the way off I'll know before I go in. I have had both happen to me and more.