Drowning in Lake Norman, NC

[gene1948]

Hi! Does anyone have an update on the very sad news story of a diver drowning a few days ago in the Lake Norman Quarry? There was only limited local coverage in the Charlotte, NC area. Is anyone aware of what happened? Thanks and regards, Gene in NC

 

[WetDawg]

The incident was actually at the Lake Norman PDRA Quarry which is a private quarry just off of Hwy 150.

He was a very experienced diver (several thousand logged dives) and was on a rebreather.

He was found on the surface after a dive to 92' and was unresponsive.

No further details of gear or dive profile were provided.

This is a very sad incident because the diver was well known and highly regarded.

My sympathies go out to the entire NC diving community.

 

[PerroneFord]

ANOTHER rebreather death? Who's training these guys?

 

[WetDawg]

Considering the experience of the individual in question - training was most certainly not the issue here.

He had several dives on the Andrea Doria as well as many other deep wrecks.

We'll have to wait and see exactly what happened before making wild speculation.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

What's up with rebreathers? What is it about them that makes them different (more dangerous?) than a regular regulator?

Sorry to hear about this incident. My condolences to his family and those who knew him.

 

[PerroneFord]

Considering the experience of the individual in question - training was most certainly not the issue here.

He had several dives on the Andrea Doria as well as many other deep wrecks.

We'll have to wait and see exactly what happened before making wild speculation.

Hmmm,

I didn't mean to implicate THIS diver, just noticing the growing trend among rebreather divers to not make it back home. It's very sad and quite puzzling as well.

 

[Lead_carrier]

ANOTHER rebreather death? Who's training these guys?

Where the hell did that come from? Who's training them, real divers.

Right now, all PREMILANARY indications, pending an autopsy indicate a possible health issue. The diver was Jackie Smith, from Charlotte, NC. I believe he lived in Clover SC now. He was extremely experienced, very well trained and was super careful as a diver and a dang nice fellow. Don't go speculating about what happened until something is know.

Arrangements are pending and are supposed to be released tomorrow.

 

[Rick Murchison]

What's up with rebreathers? What is it about them that makes them different (more dangerous?) than a regular regulator.

The thing has to do with human physiology and oxygen. The human body's "need to breathe" is almost entirely controlled by carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream, not oxygen levels. So in diving, as long as CO2 levels are in the normal range, oxygen levels must be monitored cognitively... unless the diver (or a computer/hardware system) is monitoring oxygen levels and ensuring they are safe (not too high or too low), he can end up with either a CNS oxygen toxicity convulsion (too high) or unconsciousness from oxygen deprivation (too low) without any noticeable physiological clues to warn him before it is too late. Either situation can happen with a rebreather if the computer controlled system fails and the diver doesn't catch it, or in the case of some rebreathers if the diver doesn't monitor his oxygen and control it.
---
That said, it does not mean that the thing has or had anything at all to do with this particular death.
Rick

 

[PerroneFord]

Where the hell did that come from? Who's training them, real divers.

Again, I am not saying ANYTHING about "THIS" diver. From all indications he was very experienced. It was more a comment on a trend, rather than any specific person. I apologize if that wasn't more clear.

 

[plankspanker]

sorry to hear this, my condolences to his family.