Diver dies at Casino Point Avalon Catalina!

[Papa_Bear]

Weights and Tanks were rented locally in Avalon. Extra weight was checked out, but he was only wearing 30lbs on his belt and the rest was for putting the right combinations together. The instructor was right there and he gave her the okay sign just moments before going up! She is a Mother Hen and all about safety, I have known her for almost 30 years! They did drop his weight belt on the surface and a rescue class going on held by a well know SBSO Sgt. The belt was recovered, but was returned to the dive shop by persons unknown at this time! That is the latest I have. It has been reported to me that he surfaced just a few feet from one of the rescue divers who asked him if he needed help and they made eye contact right before he turned blue and the diver went into action! If he could have been rescued he would have never been in a better place with better people if it were planned! Regardless it is a shame for all of US as he has slipped the bounds of gravity for the ultimate adventure!

Thanks to all that have been trying to help put this tragedy into perspective and sort out the facts so that we can all learn!

 

[Wlenton]

Thank you thank you! For me, I want you guys to discuss this incident. I don't know a lot about diving, so it helps to read all of your thoughts on how this happened. I do feel for the family and frineds who don't want to read this stuff but they should maybe only read the "passings" portion of this forum. Dave was always teaching officer safety on the job. If you guys talking about this helps other people, I believe Dave would love that.

 

[Missdirected]

I am going to ask that this thread be broken out. ONe thread for the many condolences that are being posted and one, this one, for discussion on the incident.

 

[DandyDon]

Thank you thank you! For me, I want you guys to discuss this incident. I don't know a lot about diving, so it helps to read all of your thoughts on how this happened. I do feel for the family and frineds who don't want to read this stuff but they should maybe only read the "passings" portion of this forum. Dave was always teaching officer safety on the job. If you guys talking about this helps other people, I believe Dave would love that.

Yes, probly a good idea. MissD has already asked a Mod to move many of the posts here to a new thread on Passings; when that is accomplished, you might send a link to that around?

I lost a friend to a somewhat similar incident last month: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...looking-news-recent-cayman-islands-death.html She was an experienced diver off on a dive trip, had an unknown hit, everyone did great trying to help (I received Private Messages with additional info not given there) but it was over in a hurry, little if any suffering - kinda like my mom passed years ago, how my dad would have preferred to have gone. But in her case and in this one, not a lot to discuss I don't think. In her case I would have wanted the tank air checked but learned too late in the story to suggest it; in this case I see no need for a tank air test, but it may well be done anyway as the LA County authority in such cases is much more thorough than many others. My best guess is a cardiac event that could happen to anyone anywhere anytime, I've known of such in people half his age even after recent physical exams, but not something I would want to fear in life - if it happens, it happens, make the best of life until then. Sounds like this diver certainly did make the best of life.

Well, those are my thots, for whatever. As I mentioned above, I am concerned about those on the site, especially those who helped directly, and hope they have little problem accepting that they did do their best with no reason to second guess their actions...

 

[drbill]

Sounds like this was a real loss to many many. Again, my condolences.

I think the reason I heard about two different genders for the victim was that the individual who spoke to me later was talking about the instructor rather than the victim. I think it's time to go se my shrin k and see if the gray matter inside my head has turned to mush as I approach (gulp) 61.

 

[kelpman]

First; My heart goes out to the family, the instructor, the Dive Shop and all those involved. As a diveshop owner / instructor I understand the want for information. However; as fate would have it, his sister and brother work at the same place as I do. (Dayjob) There are already rumors flying around about everything imagineable. I am caught in a bit of a conundrum since I own a dive shop and also know some of these people on all sides.
It is a very, very unfortunate event, but speculations lead to rumors and start a vicious cycle. It is sad when people outside the Diving community start rumors based on other rumors and lack of knowledge. This hurts the sport and the industry.


Be Safe, and dive the good dive!

 

[av8nflyguy1]

To all who visit this site, or knew my brother.

My name is Dale Pike, I am a 20 year Pilot/Agent with U.S. Customs and Border protection, and I am David's older brother. I have been a certified diver since 1975, with over 200 dives, and had no idea that Dave even had an interest. I was on assignment in Puerto Rico, staying in Aguadilla. We had a terrific dive site off the back of our apartment, called the "Blue Hole". This site is about 75 to 100 yards offshore with a mild shore break reef. One of my crew mates and I decided to make a two tank day of diving the reef. We hit the water at 1300 Eastern time and were on the reef about 10 minutes later. As we dropped through about 10 feet, I experienced what I thought was a heart attack. I had pain in my chest, difficulty in breathing, and thought I was dying. I got my dive buddy's attention, and we surfaced. I told him I had never felt this before, and thought I was going to die. He began to help me into shallow water, and as we reached the inner reef, I was able to stand. The entire feeling passed in a matter of a few minutes, I felt great, got back on my regulator, and dropped into about 10 feet to see how I felt. We were able to finish the dive, and had a great time. Afterward, we talked about it, and he thought I had had a panic attack, as I had not been down in a while, but I felt that something was not right.

I was having a drink in a little tropical bar, when I got a cell call from my sister, telling me the facts of David's accident, (continued next Post)

 

[av8nflyguy1]

I immediately booked a flight home, and arrived on Sunday the 1st. I spoke with my family, the LASO, and anyone that I could find with information. It seems that David had his accident at the exactly the same time I had my "panic attack", 10:10 am, Pacific, 1310, Eastern. We gathered all his belongings, and have begun the memorial process. The autopsy was completed yesterday and David was transported to the McWane Funeral Home in Hemet, Ca.

Some of the events surrounding his death are unclear, but I'm sure that everything will come to light. It appears that he was on his final openwater Cert. dive, was in about 15 feet of water, sitting on a structure. We are told that he gave his dive master the ok or thumbs up sign, and she surfaced to bring down another student. I am told that David experienced some issue and made an emergency ascent on his B.C. From accounts he was marginally conscious, then became unresponsive. He was taken to the hyperbaric chamber, where he later prounounced dead, by a physician.

( continued next post)

 

[av8nflyguy1]

My brother was a guy's guy, and a man's man. He loved being a cop, and loved those that worked with him. David was what he did. He was Deputy Sgt. David Pike, and he was great at it. He served for 28 years with the Riverside County Sherrif's Department, and retired on the 28th of April 2008. For anyone that knew him, he always made a connection, and made a difference. I can't say that he would have chosen to end his life this way, but it would be close. Learning something new, having an adventure, and being larger than life.

To all those that helped him, and were with him at the end I, and my family thank you dearly. You treated him with respect and kindness, and with the professional courtesy he deserved. To LASO Deputies Austin and Penneton, to the SBSO dive team that came to his aid, and to the LA Coroner's office, our most heartfelt thanks.

David would have been a great diver, and proponent of the sport. He did everything in life with enthusiasm, and joy. For further information regarding Memorial Services and Interrment, please E-mail me at Av8nflyguy1@aol.com God Bless.

 

[Missdirected]

Family and Friends, SB has set-up a thread where you can post your thoughts, condolences, and well wishes. I am going to make sure all of your posts are placed there - so none of this speculation touches what should be a remembrance thread. You can find the thread here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/passings/236519-condolences-catalina-fatality-5-31-08-a.html

Respectfully,

-MissD