Diver lost 15 Jan 2013 Cozumel

[DandyDon]

I hate to lose the group, find myself alone with no idea where the rest are. I've done many open water, solo ascents - some counting off deco in NC just hoping I was close to the dive boat. Spooky. I find I can do a very fast view of what I should be doing to increase safety, plus what to do next if something goes awry.

But back to our missing diver. I had held out hope that since she was wearing a heavier wetsuit, she would be found on the surface in relatively good condition. My thought are with the family at this time.

With the inherent currents & deep drops, not likely. We never even hear about most of the losses I don't think, but of those we do - not many are ever found. In locations where dead divers are often located, they're usually found with weights intact.

My personal speculations based on this post...

We are at Hotel Cozumel and she was on our boat in a different group for a couple of days. She was with her brothers and their wives. We were at Palancar Caves and viis was a little less than normal and currents were a little different, but I would say combination of things (as usual) caused this. This was her first trip to ocean after being certified. Had some trouble descending on other dives. Her buddy was her brother and he is devastated. Do not exact details, but probably inexpierence. Hard to hear but worse when you can put a face to it. I do not think this will turn out good at this point, but the advantage she had was she had a 8ml suit on but probably could not hold up that long in the water. Will post later if needed. RIP

I have to suspect it was yet another sad case of a newbie trying to keep up with her personal group, wearing a thick suit, who had had problems descending, then overweighted - and whatever may have happened to cause the accident, sunk without ditching weights.

A sad loss of the diver who had been looking forward to enjoying vacations like the rest of us, a horrible loss for the entire family - some of whom were there at the time and now finishing a horrible vacation, and depressing for everyone who'd met her and around the resort.

 

[aaabbbccc]

It seems that a lot of you are familiar with cozumel, do you know how I could get more information and updates about Tammy? Aside from calling the consulate, it been hard to get information.

 

[Wjjim]

It seems that a lot of you are familiar with cozumel, do you know how I could get more information and updates about Tammy? Aside from calling the consulate, it been hard to get information.

There are a lot of us here in Utah that are trying to find out anything we can. This blog is up where she works and right now you are the best and for the most part only source of information. Please every little bit helps and all we can do is hope for a miracle so remember there are family and friends who are watching this blog.

 

[fishi]

It seems that a lot of you are familiar with cozumel, do you know how I could get more information and updates about Tammy? Aside from calling the consulate, it been hard to get information.

You could send newgentry from post #14 a PM. He is on the island and at the same hotel.

 

[Johnoly]

Most of the boats went off and did their 2nd dive.

I dive the Jupiter Florida where it's deep and steep in many places and I've pulled dead friends off the bottom. Just like other popular dive destinations we have a healthy competition and banter between dive boats. But one thing we always do and that is, if the call goes out for a missing diver, everyone grabs tanks and gear and goes to find them even if it's a recovery dive. We pull people from 2 hours away that come running, ready to dive deep after the 1^st team has hit NDL's and back them up to get in the water. Drop what you are doing, close shop, get off FB and get diving deep to go find them. Boats are always standing by and will go no matter what, just get to the dock.



A dive op may not be friendly with the boat that's in trouble, but it's a diver and you have to go. Doing your 2^nd dive when you know there's an overdue diver and you have tanks, qualified DM's or passengers within ear shot that can make the dive but don't??? That's not right. And if you were a passenger on a boat waiting for your 2^nd dive and still did it without redirecting to look (topside or bottom) shame on you. Even staying at 60 feet or snorkeling and looking down to the bottom is searching and helping. Every piece of sand or topside that you can cross off and marked covered helps.



Blowing off doing any help to search so you can continue a vacation?? I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

 

[vincent54]

Sad news. Hopefully the family can get some closure. If what bobber2112 stated is true, the companies involved should be put out of business. Assume nothing until all the facts are in.

 

[Ron Lee]

What proof do we have that most dive ops blew off helping in the search? I find that assertion questionable.

If recent posters know the brother and friends on that dive boat, you have possible access to more info than we do.

 

[Mike]

It seems that a lot of you are familiar with cozumel, do you know how I could get more information and updates about Tammy? Aside from calling the consulate, it been hard to get information.

Are you in contact with Dive Paradise? That's who she was diving with right? You can google them for contract information the owner is named Apple and she will help you I'm sure.

Do you know how to send a private message here? if you click on the name of the person who makes a post you can private message them

PM the user newgentry on post #14, he is in Cozumel right now, diving with the same dive operation as Tammy was
PM Dave Dillehay post #17 he owns Aldora Divers and I'm sure would give you updates for question
same for Christi PM her post #8 she owns BlueXTSea divers
PM MMM post#1, I believe she lives on the island or stays there for extended times and she I'm sure would give you any help she can

Many of these people should be able to give you contact information for local authorities in Cozumel also.

 

[Drewpy]

My sincere condolences to the family and friends..I hope you can find some info. Always sad news to hear..hopefully newgentry can help.

 

[sidne]

Having seen all of the suggestions here almost certainly led to me exercising greater care and having an increased appreciation for the difficulty of diving in Cozumel.

My thoughts are with the diver and her family. I enjoyed visiting and diving in Cozumel. My niece and I stayed at Hotel Cozumel less than 2 weeks ago. It breaks my heart to hear this story.