Diving Couple rescued in Gulf of Mexico off Hernando Beach, FL

[DandyDon]

Sounds like the cavalier divers also did not carry any surface signaling devices as none were mentioned being tried when they saw other boats around. A head bobbing on the surface is a small thing to notice.

The divers if fact did have surface signaling devices. Each equiped with 4 foot SS and very loud wistles. Unfortunately all the boats we saw were more interested in what was directly ahead of them instead of scanning the entire surface of the horizon. Some boats passed as close as 50 yards away. Close enough for us to see the age and sex of the people riding in the back. Granted we made two hugh mistakes. Our biggest mistake was becoming complacent concerning diving. We have dove hundreds of times in that area and never saw a current as strong as it was that day.[/QUOTE]
Hi there. That was you? Very glad you survived. Heard you were on TV?

 

[jkaterenchuk]

Another divers floating on the surface for extended periods.

SS, whistles, dive alerts are better than nothing but I still believe if you are going to dive in the ocean you should have a PLB (personal locator beacon). They are not that expensive anymore and you can get one with a waterproof cannister for under $500 and you will be glad you did the first time something happens and your out in the big lonely ocean all by yourself hoping to be found.

If you do not believe me now you will after your first incident if you survive.

John

 

[Dadvocate]

Unfortunately all the boats we saw were more interested in what was directly ahead of them instead of scanning the entire surface of the horizon. Some boats passed as close as 50 yards away. Close enough for us to see the age and sex of the people riding in the back. Granted we made two hugh mistakes. Our biggest mistake was becoming complacent concerning diving. We have dove hundreds of times in that area and never saw a current as strong as it was that day.

First off, let me say that I am very glad you two got out of the water alive. You admonish yourselves for the first mistake you claim you made. Is it safe to say that you consider leaving your boat unattended is the second mistake? I only ask because you say you had done hundreds of dives in the area, and I wonder if anyone had warned you prior to this dive that the practice was dangerous as a general rule.

From the standpoint of your harrowing 24 hours in open water, how did you two keep your heads until you were rescued? I have a distinct feeling there is a heck of a story in that day at sea.

Again, I’m very glad you two made it back to land, wiser I hope for the experience, and maybe even closer as a couple having endured what you did.

Cheers!

 

[DandyDon]

First off, let me say that I am very glad you two got out of the water alive. You admonish yourselves for the first mistake you claim you made. Is it safe to say that you consider leaving your boat unattended is the second mistake? I only ask because you say you had done hundreds of dives in the area, and I wonder if anyone had warned you prior to this dive that the practice was dangerous as a general rule.

He mentioned both in the linked interview...

Not leaving a plan ashore with someone who would miss them and alert the CG; and

Not leaving a boat hand above.​

The rescuers were also somewhat cavalier...

Newbie diver solo diving; and

Left two sons on boat, but they left boat to snorkel at times.​

1: Always leave a float plan;

2: Dive with a buddy; and

3: Someone capable of operating the boat always onboard.

Please...!

 

[Dadvocate]

Hi, Dandy!

You mean the TV interview you refer to above, or have I missed a link somewhere?

Regarding the boys, yes, I thought that their reaction was a bit odd if it happened as the newspaper said. But I also thought that maybe the reporter just edited out a buddy for the father and that he had proper signaling devices and such given that the story was primarily about the two who went missing. I wasn't sure if I should take that at face value.

Pretty amazing story that does indeed give them pause for thought, the boys and the father as well as the couple included.

Cheers!

 

[DandyDon]

I was wrong, sorry - the link was in the Leisure Pro thread about the follow-up to this story, where they all went to NYC to be on TV. Here it is: Scuba couple survive 24 hours in open water - People: Tales of survival A lot more info there, but nothing about the boy's dad having a buddy. The dad did post on the LP thread, but he doesn't seem to be active here. I asked him about diving solo there; no reply.

 

[Dadvocate]

Thanks for the proper link, Dandy!

Wow, you're right. He was diving on his own with his boys in the boat. There are loads of lessons to be learned in this case, one of which is not to dive on your own.

Also, one nitpick from the comments the survivor made in the interview. If the man were to do a two-tank trip on the day, that would have meant more like three hours instead of two, taking the surface interval into account that is. Never did find out how many dives the man did before the couple was rescued.

I wonder why at 17 and 18 these young men aren't certified themselves with one of them accompanying the father below. If they were doing random snorkeling as well, this could also have been a big issue in strong current. Strange decisions being made all around, I'd say.

Anyway, thanks again for the link.

Cheers!

 

[DandyDon]

Oh, I've lucked out on some bonehead moves in the water before. Glad they all did. Since their ordeal made big news in the loss and then in the rescue, the all got a nice trip to NYC - but if they had it to do over I'm sure they'd rather not spend 24 hours floating with virtually no hope. Bet they're much safer divers now. Hope the solo diver finds reason to be safer too.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Additional info in another published story, already on this other thread.

Sounds like the cavalier divers also did not carry any surface signaling devices as none were mentioned being tried when they saw other boats around. A head bobbing on the surface is a small thing to notice.

According to this quote from the original link here

Patrick N. Pinder, 18, and Garrett Pinder, 17, said they were scuba diving and spear fishing Sunday afternoon with their dad when they noticed a man waving an inflatable flotation device in the distance.

They had something that they were waving to the attention

 

[bowlofpetunias]

It's a bit confusing to have two thread running on the same incident so I have asked for a Mod to combine the two:cool2: