Diver dies at Casino Point Avalon Catalina!

[joediver318]

Is there any new information or official conclusions about this accident?

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

BTT in the hope of an update. I dove casino point last Wednesday. I spoke with Eric of Catalina Divers Supply and he had a few ideas. These however are still just speculation.

 

[CWEBX2]

Family members have told me the coroner's report states the cause of death was an air embolism. Can anyone tell me how common that is with a diver down for a couple of minutes in not deeper than 12 feet as stated earlier in the posts. Thank you for any and all comments. As someone who has never dived it seems 12 feet a few minutes it would be very uncommon.

 

[Missdirected]

Family members have told me the coroner's report states the cause of death was an air embolism. Can anyone tell me how common that is with a diver down for a couple of minutes in not deeper than 12 feet as stated earlier in the posts. Thank you for any and all comments. As someone who has never dived it seems 12 feet a few minutes it would be very uncommon.

Wow. I have never heard of one so shallow, personally, but yes it is possible.

I am sending a note to TS&M she is a medical mod here on the board.

BTW, thank you for sharing the findings with us.

 

[drbill]

Keep in mind that the greatest percent change in pressure is in the upper 33 ft of the water column. It is possible to embolize at shallow depths if one ascends too quickly holding one's breath.

 

[John_B]

Absolutely it could happen from 12 feet. There was an air embolism death recently on a training dive in a pool. This is why the first rule of scuba diving is to "never hold your breath".

 

[TSandM]

Yes, as stated by others, it is possible to embolize from shallow depths. Embolism is not dependent on absorption of nitrogen -- it can occur from air expansion in the lungs, if the diver holds his breath.

 

[ItsBruce]

Now, I'm confused. While an air embolism may have been the "official" cause of death, and a rapid ascent while holding one's breath can cause an air embolism, what caused the rapid ascent? And, could an air embolism resulting from a rapid ascent in 13 feet of water result in the symptoms described within the time frame described?

 

[John_B]

Bruce, it doesn't even have to be a rapid ascent. An air embolism is basically burst air sacs in your lungs. Even an ascent at a normal rate while holding your breath could cause that. Remember from your OW class that the greatest pressure differential is from 33ft/10m to the surface.

 

[robint]

very sad and so very preventable! Just another thing to keep reminding NEW students - you can die in shallow water from holding your breath. So sad.