Diving accident at Tobermory this past weekend???

[CDNScubaMoose]

Here is a link for an updated ontario underwater council report - you need acrobat reader to view it, scroll down to the part about Craig Whitehouse.

http://www.underwatercouncil.com/dow..._in_20 08.pdf

Having trouble cutting and pasting the relavent info so quick summary of additional info that is listed in the report. Depth was 200' or more, diver was using a rebreather, coroner has reported the death as massive air embolism. Coroner is still investigating equipment.

 

[lahalbo]

http://www.underwatercouncil.com/downloads/ouc_report_of_ontario_scuba_diving_incidents_in_2008.pdf

Excerpt from 2008 Report on Scuba Diving Related Incidents in Ontario

Date of Incident: 2008-07-13

Summary: 53 year old Craig Whitehouse, of Niagara on the Lake, died while diving in Tobermory this past weekend. Craig was apparently a very experienced technical diver who was highly regarded in his group.

Apparently Craig was diving solo, on technical equipment (a rebreather).
The dive was planned to depths of 200 feet or more.

Craig surfaced at some distance from the boat. The boat was unable to move to expedite the rescue due to other divers doing deco/safety stops on the anchor line.
Craig received CPR but was pronounced dead a short time later. The coroner has reported the cause of death as massive air embolism.

The coroner is still investigating the equipment and will make other information available as appropriate.

Details to be confirmed as more information becomes available.

For public domain information of this incident, please refer to Section C, Appendix #2
of this document.

OUC Recommendations:

• Insufficient information to be able to make any recommendations at this time.

• Once more facts are known, OUC would appreciate representatives from Ontario’s
growing Technical Diving community contacting us to help ensure any recommendations drafted are relevant and applicable.

 

[texdiveguy]

Very sorry to hear of this tragic lose.

 

[Country Diver]

Here are the funeral arrangements.

Obituary for Craig Ian Whitehouse

WHITEHOUSE, Craig Ian - Resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake, age 53, died tragically on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Tobermory, Ontario. Mr. Whitehouse was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 25, 1954, the son of Freda and Len Whitehouse. He married Deborah Ginter on May 17, 1980. Mr. Whitehouse was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, NOTL, a graduate of General Motors Institute and Harvard University. He was a manager at General Motors, St. Catharines for 33 years. He was active in motor sports, sailing and scuba diving. Surviving are his wife Deborah Whitehouse, of NOTL, sister Zena Elizabeth and her husband Jim Barkey, of Stoney Creek, sister-in-law Judith Anne and Steven Wieneke, of White Lake, Michigan, and Little Brother, Chris Doucette. He will be missed by all of his friends and family. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE- CHAPEL of the MORGAN FUNERAL HOMES, 415 Regent Street on Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, NOTL, with the Rev. Gordon Ford officiating on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Online guest register at www.morganfuneral.com. 11167002

Deb has said to Matt that she would love to see the church filled to capacity with divers. Diving was one of Craigs many passions.
​

 

[jepuskar]

Diving solo on a rebreather can be very unforgiving.

I wish his family the best.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Diving Tobermory often, and having lost a fellow dive friend there a couple of years ago (in 2004), I can only say that I wish the family and friends of Craig the very warmest wishes through this terrible time. The diving community, as large as it is, is a small one. We never want to lose "one of our own".

 

[ScubaAndDreams]

Condolensces to family and friends....

Anyone know what RB he was diving?

 

[String]

The boat was unable to move to expedite the rescue due to other divers doing deco/safety stops on the anchor line.

Thats a reason i cant fathom why in lots of the world boats moor and anchor. It massively delays the safety response vs a live boat.

 

[ScubaAndDreams]

cut the line put a ball on it and leave....

 

[wreckchick]

This thread should probably be split if this discussion is going to start, but...

There are benefits and disadvantages to both live boating and mooring/anchoring. If a boat is moored or anchored, the return trip is easy to navigate and the boat is waiting. The disadvantage, of course, is that the boat is less maneuverable in the rare cases such as the one evidenced with this accident.

A live boat runs the risk of losing its ability to make way and the divers are all left to drift or swim to the boat which may be some distance away although it is free and able to assist in an emergency. It may also be impractical to live boat on a deep wreck where the divers are counting on a line to lead them to the bottom.

There is no one right way to boat dive. It is up to the captain to determine the best way to handle any particular dive site.

Rachel

My condolences to this gentleman's family and friends.