In 0 vis, it's unlikely the victim could have found the 4" rigid corrugated hose in the tank or the 2" or 3" water inlet pipe in the tank that went from floor to ceiling, to pull himself to the surface.
Diver dies in Richmond, TX while cleaning water tank
- Thread starter AggieDiver
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In 0 vis, it's unlikely the victim could have found the 4" rigid corrugated hose in the tank or the 2" or 3" water inlet pipe in the tank that went from floor to ceiling, to pull himself to the surface.
That's a lot of gas in a short while. I wonder if it's possible he started off on the pony by mistake and had a freeflow on the 80 while trying to switch over after unexpectedly running out of gas?
TommyKib
New
I came across this thread.. and an hour later after registering, confirming, activating, etc..
I thought I'd share that I found this on the company website.
****************************************************
Statement:
Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the family and friends of Travis Muller our newest employee who died in a tragic accident Wednesday October 13th 2010.
Ron Perrin Water Technologies has suspended all diving operations until we complete all investigations to determine the cause of the diving fatality. This is our first accident since our establishment in 1997.
We take the safety of our employees very seriously, this company will suspend diving activities until our internal safety audit has been completed.
Ron Perrin
Owner
Ron Perrin Water Technologie
ronperrin (dot) com
I thought I'd share that I found this on the company website.
****************************************************
Statement:
Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the family and friends of Travis Muller our newest employee who died in a tragic accident Wednesday October 13th 2010.
Ron Perrin Water Technologies has suspended all diving operations until we complete all investigations to determine the cause of the diving fatality. This is our first accident since our establishment in 1997.
We take the safety of our employees very seriously, this company will suspend diving activities until our internal safety audit has been completed.
Ron Perrin
Owner
Ron Perrin Water Technologie
ronperrin (dot) com
Usually when a reporter attempts a story on scuba, it's laughable, but the faulty regulator thing actually makes sense. I'm just saying...
And thanks for your input, BTW
TommyKib
New
These are commercial divers in dry suits full head gear, etc no contact with the water supply.
Our cleaning system uses Commercially certified divers sealed in a Dry Suit so there is no contact with the water supply. The diver is then washed down with a chlorine solution recommended by the American Water Works Assn.
I can post a link, but there's a lot of info on ronperrin(dot)com/cleaning.htm
Our cleaning system uses Commercially certified divers sealed in a Dry Suit so there is no contact with the water supply. The diver is then washed down with a chlorine solution recommended by the American Water Works Assn.
I can post a link, but there's a lot of info on ronperrin(dot)com/cleaning.htm
If you guys would THINK a little before you posted, or read the entire thread, I wouldn't have to type so much. Geesh
He was in crystal clear water. HOWEVER!, when we (commercial divers) dive, it's usually in zero vis. So, we rarely have a light, because a light would do us no good. Gah! I'm not sure how many drysuit dives he's had. I'm guessing 0. It has been claimed that he told Ron Perrin that he was training to be a dive master. I don't know that for fact though.
Better to remain silent and thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt --Abe Lincoln
mike_s
Contributor
using Self contained (Scuba) is allowed by OSHA.
Title 29 CRR 1910.424
1910.424(a)
General. Employers engaged in SCUBA diving shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
1910.424(b)
Limits. SCUBA diving shall not be conducted:
1910.424(b)(1)
At depths deeper than 130 fsw;
1910.424(b)(2)
At depths deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits unless a decompression chamber is ready for use;
General. Employers engaged in SCUBA diving shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
1910.424(b)
Limits. SCUBA diving shall not be conducted:
1910.424(b)(1)
At depths deeper than 130 fsw;
1910.424(b)(2)
At depths deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits unless a decompression chamber is ready for use;
COMS is only required by OSHA if using with Surface Supplied breathing gas. Doesn't say it's required for SCUBA (Title 29 CFR 1910.422 )
1910.422(c)
Communications.
1910.422(c)(1)
An operational two-way voice communication system shall be used between:
1910.422(c)(1)(i)
Each surface-supplied air or mixed-gas diver and a dive team member at the dive location or bell (when provided or required);
Communications.
1910.422(c)(1)
An operational two-way voice communication system shall be used between:
1910.422(c)(1)(i)
Each surface-supplied air or mixed-gas diver and a dive team member at the dive location or bell (when provided or required);
ItsBruce
Contributor
There is a lot here that does not add up properly. Travis seems to have used a great deal of air in a very short time. And, according to the reports, he seems to have used it all. Thus, it sounds like the immediate cause of death was OOA. We've all heard of OOA deaths, but rarely when there is a second tank.
I also noticed in one of the early reports that there was mention of his mask being off. That may be a sign of a panic. But, that does not make much sense. I can see a diver going OOA and panicking and removing his mask and drowning. But, I can't see a diver going OOA on one tank, switching to a second one, going OOA on it and then panicking and pulling off his mask.
And, as far as experience, I am sorry to say that I'm not sure Travis was actually qualified to dive in a swimming pool. If I recall the posts, he had only done a few dives in 09. I would not have let him dive in a pool without a refresher course. So, no matter how easy the dive in the water tower may have been, it was beyond him. What could he have though he was doing, doing any sort of dive? And, along the same lines, I find it interesting an employer would have hired him for a diving job unless (1) the employer was told Travis had far more experience than he did or (2) the employer consciously disregarded Travis' safety.
I sure hope we can learn more about this.
I also noticed in one of the early reports that there was mention of his mask being off. That may be a sign of a panic. But, that does not make much sense. I can see a diver going OOA and panicking and removing his mask and drowning. But, I can't see a diver going OOA on one tank, switching to a second one, going OOA on it and then panicking and pulling off his mask.
And, as far as experience, I am sorry to say that I'm not sure Travis was actually qualified to dive in a swimming pool. If I recall the posts, he had only done a few dives in 09. I would not have let him dive in a pool without a refresher course. So, no matter how easy the dive in the water tower may have been, it was beyond him. What could he have though he was doing, doing any sort of dive? And, along the same lines, I find it interesting an employer would have hired him for a diving job unless (1) the employer was told Travis had far more experience than he did or (2) the employer consciously disregarded Travis' safety.
I sure hope we can learn more about this.
If you guys would THINK a little before you posted, or read the entire thread, I wouldn't have to type so much. Geesh
He was in crystal clear water. HOWEVER!, when we (commercial divers) dive, it's usually in zero vis. So, we rarely have a light, because a light would do us no good. Gah! I'm not sure how many drysuit dives he's had. I'm guessing 0. It has been claimed that he told Ron Perrin that he was training to be a dive master. I don't know that for fact though.
Better to remain silent and thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt --Abe Lincoln
If there's no light, you simply can't see, period, no matter how "clear" the water is.
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